Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Bleeding Heart
Clerodendron infortunatum commonly known as Bleeding Heart is found in the sub tropical climate. The plant looks like a heart and is used as a symbol of Love. So next time think about it for your special one...
Friday, January 23, 2009
Solid waste
Learn the Lesson
Time and again people from Sisdol area used to stop trucks carrying garbage from Kathmandu valley. As a result Kathmandu will be flooded with solid waste and foul smell will spread all around. After some days there will be some agreements between government and the protesters. Then trucks start to transport the garbage to the landfill site. The same chain of incidents turned Kathmandu valley into a dumping site this week. Now, the ten points agreements may help to continue the garbage transportation but the same problem will come after some months certainly.
The pedestrian in Kathmandu valley are forced to walk over the hips of solid waste dumped in the streets and smell filthy odor coming from the waste. The responsibility for this not goes only to the residence of Sisdol landfill site and the government. Above all the residences of Kathmandu valley are responsible and they should bear it. Other wise they will suffer again and again. . One can see the composition piles of solid waste that are being dumped for a week. Does the waste seem to be thrown by the educated and civilized people of the valley? All the organic waste (fruits, vegetables and other kitchen wastes) and inorganic waste (plastics) are intermixed.
People should develop a new attitude and behavior. Anyone can segregate the waste by collecting in different buckets. And can reduce the volume of solid waste being produced. The best alternative for reducing the organic waste is vermi composting (using earthworms to convert organic waste into organic manure). For inorganic waste one can reduce its use. As an initiation at least they can use these alternatives. Its easy and also not much time consuming. These alternatives will reduce the volume of solid wastes being produced and make the government convenient to manage the waste problems.
Probably, people of the valley are not unknown about these alternatives. However they are careless and they do not apply their knowledge in daily life. They always tend to pressurize the government to remove the solid waste from the valley as if they did no contribution on making the city the filthiest city. So the bitter truth is that the conscious people of Kathmandu are accountable for what they did to produce 300tons of daily solid waste in the capital city.
"As you sow so you reap". As the people of valley show more and more hesitations in reducing the volume of the waste they produce in their house the more will they have to walk over the piles of waste frequently. Citizens of Kathmandu valley must learn the lesson from the pain they bear this week for the hips of solid waste.
Pawan Kumar Neupane
Central Department of Environmental Science
T.U., Kirtipur
E-mail: pawan.usk@gmail.com
Contact No. 9841309168
Time and again people from Sisdol area used to stop trucks carrying garbage from Kathmandu valley. As a result Kathmandu will be flooded with solid waste and foul smell will spread all around. After some days there will be some agreements between government and the protesters. Then trucks start to transport the garbage to the landfill site. The same chain of incidents turned Kathmandu valley into a dumping site this week. Now, the ten points agreements may help to continue the garbage transportation but the same problem will come after some months certainly.
The pedestrian in Kathmandu valley are forced to walk over the hips of solid waste dumped in the streets and smell filthy odor coming from the waste. The responsibility for this not goes only to the residence of Sisdol landfill site and the government. Above all the residences of Kathmandu valley are responsible and they should bear it. Other wise they will suffer again and again. . One can see the composition piles of solid waste that are being dumped for a week. Does the waste seem to be thrown by the educated and civilized people of the valley? All the organic waste (fruits, vegetables and other kitchen wastes) and inorganic waste (plastics) are intermixed.
People should develop a new attitude and behavior. Anyone can segregate the waste by collecting in different buckets. And can reduce the volume of solid waste being produced. The best alternative for reducing the organic waste is vermi composting (using earthworms to convert organic waste into organic manure). For inorganic waste one can reduce its use. As an initiation at least they can use these alternatives. Its easy and also not much time consuming. These alternatives will reduce the volume of solid wastes being produced and make the government convenient to manage the waste problems.
Probably, people of the valley are not unknown about these alternatives. However they are careless and they do not apply their knowledge in daily life. They always tend to pressurize the government to remove the solid waste from the valley as if they did no contribution on making the city the filthiest city. So the bitter truth is that the conscious people of Kathmandu are accountable for what they did to produce 300tons of daily solid waste in the capital city.
"As you sow so you reap". As the people of valley show more and more hesitations in reducing the volume of the waste they produce in their house the more will they have to walk over the piles of waste frequently. Citizens of Kathmandu valley must learn the lesson from the pain they bear this week for the hips of solid waste.
Pawan Kumar Neupane
Central Department of Environmental Science
T.U., Kirtipur
E-mail: pawan.usk@gmail.com
Contact No. 9841309168
Water Pollution
Polluted rivers in Kathmandu valley: Are you careful?
The flowing rivers of Kathmandu valley are almost stagnant with the beginning of post monsoon in Nepal. These rivers has to fed excreta in the form of raw sewage, rubbish like crisp packets, newspaper and bags, oil, poisonous substances, cans, bottles and other solid objects. Many industries that are built near the rivers obtain pure water from the river but discharge waste water directly into the same river. Many industrial wastes discharged into water are mixtures of chemicals.
River has its natural dilution property by which it can dilute the pollutants. But the rivers of the valley are fed with massive wastes that overhaul the dilution property mainly during post monsoon. Consequently the rivers become torpid during this season. The amount of dissolved oxygen in all the rivers flowing through urban areas is very low. Dissolved oxygen is in fact essential for the survival of all aquatic organisms. Moreover, oxygen affects a vast number of other water indicators, not only biochemical but aesthetic ones like odor, clarity and taste.
Rivers like Bisnumati, Tukucha, Nakkhu, Balkhu, Manohara, Hanumante, Godavari originate from different hills of the valley and unite with Bagmati river. The Bagmati river leaves Kathmandu Valley through Chovar Gorge. People used to take ritual bath in most of these rivers. The culture is as usual however the clean water in these rivers for the people of Kathmandu valley is a memory. For the new generation it’s a myth. The rivers are no longer in pristine condition in urban cities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. The upstream of all the rivers are clean, gorgeous and some of them supply drinking water to the cities. As these rivers moves downstream and get in touch with the urban cities they become degraded.
We all know that these rivers are our water asset. But it's disheartening to learn how much of the worst damage to our rivers is caused by us. In fact our deeds are impeccably repugnant. Most of politicians and intellectuals of Nepal stay in Kathmandu valley. Almost all people are educated. Not only had these they think that they are the most civilized citizens of the country. However, these people throw all the discarded materials and sewage directly in the rivers. One can see the piles of solid waste in the banks of these rivers. So the bitter truth is that the conscious people are accountable for what they did to the rivers of the valley.
These polluted rivers spread tainted smell all over the areas and carry the diseases causing vectors. When animals drink the water, they may catch diseases which can kill them. Birds and monkeys drinking water at Bagmati river near Thapthali Bridge; cows quenching their thirst at Balkhu river and many other innocent animals have to die due to water borne diseases. Also these contaminants are known to bioaccumulate as they move up the food chain from microbes on river sediment to fish and eventually birds in the river's ecosystem. The contaminants could have impact on human health if these animals or their products are consumed inadvertently. Rivers are also looking hideous. Also all the rivers have lost the significant aquatic animals and plants.
We're making new Nepal, but our rivers are still in desperate need to be new. We have to save our water resources. Now the time has come to make these rivers clean. People should take a vow that there will be no single contribution from them in degradation of river water quality and create a pressure on government to make and implement policy to save the river. The government must manage the sewage drainage system of the valley properly. Industries should treat the waste water before mixing in the rivers. NGOs and INGOs established to save the rivers must work seriously. They mustn't think that the life of their projects will be ended after cleaning the rivers.
So while crossing the bridges of the rivers of the valley don't close your nose only but think about what contribution you have made to produce these conditions and what contribution you can do to save these rivers.
Pawan Kumar Neupane
Central Department of Environmental Science
T.U., Kirtipur
E-mail: pawan.usk@gmail.com
Contact No. 9841309168
The flowing rivers of Kathmandu valley are almost stagnant with the beginning of post monsoon in Nepal. These rivers has to fed excreta in the form of raw sewage, rubbish like crisp packets, newspaper and bags, oil, poisonous substances, cans, bottles and other solid objects. Many industries that are built near the rivers obtain pure water from the river but discharge waste water directly into the same river. Many industrial wastes discharged into water are mixtures of chemicals.
River has its natural dilution property by which it can dilute the pollutants. But the rivers of the valley are fed with massive wastes that overhaul the dilution property mainly during post monsoon. Consequently the rivers become torpid during this season. The amount of dissolved oxygen in all the rivers flowing through urban areas is very low. Dissolved oxygen is in fact essential for the survival of all aquatic organisms. Moreover, oxygen affects a vast number of other water indicators, not only biochemical but aesthetic ones like odor, clarity and taste.
Rivers like Bisnumati, Tukucha, Nakkhu, Balkhu, Manohara, Hanumante, Godavari originate from different hills of the valley and unite with Bagmati river. The Bagmati river leaves Kathmandu Valley through Chovar Gorge. People used to take ritual bath in most of these rivers. The culture is as usual however the clean water in these rivers for the people of Kathmandu valley is a memory. For the new generation it’s a myth. The rivers are no longer in pristine condition in urban cities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. The upstream of all the rivers are clean, gorgeous and some of them supply drinking water to the cities. As these rivers moves downstream and get in touch with the urban cities they become degraded.
We all know that these rivers are our water asset. But it's disheartening to learn how much of the worst damage to our rivers is caused by us. In fact our deeds are impeccably repugnant. Most of politicians and intellectuals of Nepal stay in Kathmandu valley. Almost all people are educated. Not only had these they think that they are the most civilized citizens of the country. However, these people throw all the discarded materials and sewage directly in the rivers. One can see the piles of solid waste in the banks of these rivers. So the bitter truth is that the conscious people are accountable for what they did to the rivers of the valley.
These polluted rivers spread tainted smell all over the areas and carry the diseases causing vectors. When animals drink the water, they may catch diseases which can kill them. Birds and monkeys drinking water at Bagmati river near Thapthali Bridge; cows quenching their thirst at Balkhu river and many other innocent animals have to die due to water borne diseases. Also these contaminants are known to bioaccumulate as they move up the food chain from microbes on river sediment to fish and eventually birds in the river's ecosystem. The contaminants could have impact on human health if these animals or their products are consumed inadvertently. Rivers are also looking hideous. Also all the rivers have lost the significant aquatic animals and plants.
We're making new Nepal, but our rivers are still in desperate need to be new. We have to save our water resources. Now the time has come to make these rivers clean. People should take a vow that there will be no single contribution from them in degradation of river water quality and create a pressure on government to make and implement policy to save the river. The government must manage the sewage drainage system of the valley properly. Industries should treat the waste water before mixing in the rivers. NGOs and INGOs established to save the rivers must work seriously. They mustn't think that the life of their projects will be ended after cleaning the rivers.
So while crossing the bridges of the rivers of the valley don't close your nose only but think about what contribution you have made to produce these conditions and what contribution you can do to save these rivers.
Pawan Kumar Neupane
Central Department of Environmental Science
T.U., Kirtipur
E-mail: pawan.usk@gmail.com
Contact No. 9841309168
Save Teenagers from Smoking
Save Teenagers from Smoking
Everyone can see teenagers congregate in areas like cafe, restaurant, hotels and small shops smoking cigarettes and enjoying by trying to hide their smoking in Kathmandu valley and other major urban cities of Nepal. They show a propensity to go to such places for smoking and avoid their school and college classes. In fact the teens smoking rate is increasing in these cities. But no one is stopping them. People talk about sex education to save teens from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Many NGOs are working to save teens from drug abuse. However, nobody talks about anti smoking education and works seriously against smoking even smoking is becoming one of the common habits among the teenagers. Can a nation born a healthy future with the majority of smoking teenagers?
Most of the teens feel like older and wiser when they smoke. They want to act different from others and therefore start smoking. Peer influence is the most important reason of why these teens start to smoke. The more teens see the actors smoking on TV shows and in the movies, the more likely they'll try it themselves. Influence of parents, pressure of friends and attempt to test the cigarettes also make the Nepalese teens to begin smoking. The American Lung Association estimates that every minute four thousand eight hundred teens of the world will take their first drag off a cigarette. Out of them, about two thousand will go on to be chain smokers. It has been estimated that about 80% of adult smokers started smoking as teenagers.
The problem is that when they take the first puff, they can become addicted. The nicotine inhaled in tobacco smoke is highly addictive. When the body becomes accustomed to the presence of nicotine, it then requires the use of the chemical to help the body to function normally. Tobacco smoke also contains over 4,000 chemicals, many of which are known causes of cancer. Few of these chemicals are Carbon monoxide, Acetone, Naphthalene, Sulphur compounds, Lead, Volatile Alcohol, Formaldehyde and so on. When you smoke, all of these chemicals mix together and form a sticky tar that accumulate in the lungs and cause various diseases like heart diseases, lung cancer, bronchitis, emphysema and stroke. Nicotine disrupts the development of nerve connections in the maturing adolescent brain. Most of the teenagers who smoke do not perform well in schools and colleges. They can also start experimenting alcohol and drugs.
Hand smoke releases the same 4,000 chemicals as smoke that is directly inhaled but the quantity may be high. Approximately 50 of these chemicals (carcinogens) cause cancer. Cigarettes burn for approximately 12 minutes, but smokers usually only inhale for 30 seconds. That means for 11 minutes and 30 seconds cigarettes are spewing smoke outside into the air for others to breathe. This makes other people vulnerable to the diseases caused by cigarette smoke.
Everyone knows that "smoking is injurious to health ". All know that if we start smoking that 1/3 of we will eventually die from it. However teenagers think that they can live forever. So they do not care these health warnings. Therefore to save the teens from smoking parents should be very cautious. They should look after their teens. At school and college, teachers should pay attention on their students. We must support local efforts to ban smoking in all public places and demand the government to make strict rules to prohibit smoking on such places. Also it should make a policy of giving license for selling cigarettes in certain places only as it is done for alcoholic products. Anti smoking education should be given for teens from the school levels. Advertisement and movies enticing smoking must be prohibited.
Teens are the future of a nation. We have a responsibility to care and save our next generations from this dreadful addiction. So quit smoking or help a loved one quit.
Pawan Kumar Neupane
Central Department of Environmental Science
T.U., Kirtipur
E-mail: pawan.usk@gmail.com
Contact No. 9841309168
Everyone can see teenagers congregate in areas like cafe, restaurant, hotels and small shops smoking cigarettes and enjoying by trying to hide their smoking in Kathmandu valley and other major urban cities of Nepal. They show a propensity to go to such places for smoking and avoid their school and college classes. In fact the teens smoking rate is increasing in these cities. But no one is stopping them. People talk about sex education to save teens from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Many NGOs are working to save teens from drug abuse. However, nobody talks about anti smoking education and works seriously against smoking even smoking is becoming one of the common habits among the teenagers. Can a nation born a healthy future with the majority of smoking teenagers?
Most of the teens feel like older and wiser when they smoke. They want to act different from others and therefore start smoking. Peer influence is the most important reason of why these teens start to smoke. The more teens see the actors smoking on TV shows and in the movies, the more likely they'll try it themselves. Influence of parents, pressure of friends and attempt to test the cigarettes also make the Nepalese teens to begin smoking. The American Lung Association estimates that every minute four thousand eight hundred teens of the world will take their first drag off a cigarette. Out of them, about two thousand will go on to be chain smokers. It has been estimated that about 80% of adult smokers started smoking as teenagers.
The problem is that when they take the first puff, they can become addicted. The nicotine inhaled in tobacco smoke is highly addictive. When the body becomes accustomed to the presence of nicotine, it then requires the use of the chemical to help the body to function normally. Tobacco smoke also contains over 4,000 chemicals, many of which are known causes of cancer. Few of these chemicals are Carbon monoxide, Acetone, Naphthalene, Sulphur compounds, Lead, Volatile Alcohol, Formaldehyde and so on. When you smoke, all of these chemicals mix together and form a sticky tar that accumulate in the lungs and cause various diseases like heart diseases, lung cancer, bronchitis, emphysema and stroke. Nicotine disrupts the development of nerve connections in the maturing adolescent brain. Most of the teenagers who smoke do not perform well in schools and colleges. They can also start experimenting alcohol and drugs.
Hand smoke releases the same 4,000 chemicals as smoke that is directly inhaled but the quantity may be high. Approximately 50 of these chemicals (carcinogens) cause cancer. Cigarettes burn for approximately 12 minutes, but smokers usually only inhale for 30 seconds. That means for 11 minutes and 30 seconds cigarettes are spewing smoke outside into the air for others to breathe. This makes other people vulnerable to the diseases caused by cigarette smoke.
Everyone knows that "smoking is injurious to health ". All know that if we start smoking that 1/3 of we will eventually die from it. However teenagers think that they can live forever. So they do not care these health warnings. Therefore to save the teens from smoking parents should be very cautious. They should look after their teens. At school and college, teachers should pay attention on their students. We must support local efforts to ban smoking in all public places and demand the government to make strict rules to prohibit smoking on such places. Also it should make a policy of giving license for selling cigarettes in certain places only as it is done for alcoholic products. Anti smoking education should be given for teens from the school levels. Advertisement and movies enticing smoking must be prohibited.
Teens are the future of a nation. We have a responsibility to care and save our next generations from this dreadful addiction. So quit smoking or help a loved one quit.
Pawan Kumar Neupane
Central Department of Environmental Science
T.U., Kirtipur
E-mail: pawan.usk@gmail.com
Contact No. 9841309168
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