South Asia Losing 3.5 Years Of Life Expectancy To Toxic Air, Nations' GDP Affected

Experts and policy-makers have stressed the need to work together and prepare a practical, region-wide plan to control rising air pollution in the Indus-Ganga plains and the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.

Several Countries Losing Big Share of GDP To Toxic Air

At a two-day workshop organised by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), air pollution expert Partha Sarathi Mahapatra said air pollution in South Asia is cutting average life by more than 3.5 years. On the economic front, many countries in the region are losing up to 10.3 per cent of their GDP because of pollution.

Adopting solutions will not only improve health but also reduce the heavy financial burden on national economies. Experts at the workshop agreed that air pollution is harming both health and the economy.

Need For Practical And Doable Solutions

Everyone accepted that no single country can control air pollution alone. A common strategy, science-based cooperation, and strong political will are the only real ways to solve the problem.

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The workshop highlighted the need to give priority to better air pollution monitoring networks, community participation, and new ideas. ICIMOD’s Ravi Sahu made it clear that the workshop aims to find practical and implementable solutions.

Promote Electric Vehicles And Clean Cooking

Promoting electric vehicles

Increasing the use of clean-fuel cooking stoves

Making industrial emission rules stricter

Creating low-emission zones in cities

Giving priority to better farm waste management

Only 400 Monitoring Stations For Nearly 2 Billion People

Experts pointed out that in the Indus-Ganga plains and Himalayan foothills, nearly two billion people have only 400 air quality monitoring stations. This huge shortage of monitoring, lack of technical experts, and uneven data are major roadblocks to making good policies.

Wheat Production Down By 36%

That is why setting up a unified, standardised, and wide monitoring network across the region should be the top priority. The workshop advised immediate control of black carbon and ozone, because these pollutants not only spoil air quality but also cause a 36 per cent drop in wheat production. They are responsible for low visibility on 90 per cent of winter days and the melting of 39 per cent of Himalayan glaciers.

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Climate Change Also Affects Glaciers

ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho said climate change is also affecting glaciers. Air lead Ashish Tiwari said air pollution is not just a science issue, it is a fight that needs joint effort and strong action. Cross-border cooperation is the only real solution for clean air.