WASH FORUM Reloaded on “Air Pollution in Kathmandu Valley and its Impact on Human Health”

Prepared by: Ms. Sushama Sharma, Member, PP Batch III

Edited by: Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator

On 29^th January 2021, Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO (Environment and Public Health Organization) organized 11^th WASH FORUM Reloaded on “Air Pollution in Kathmandu Valley and its Impact on Human Health” through zoom platform. The main objective of the program was to share current status of air quality in Kathmandu Valley and its effect on human health along with to discuss youth’s roles and responsibilities to advocate for air quality improvement and minimize the effects. Air pollution has become a serious environmental concern and a public health risk in Kathmandu Valley. This January, Air Quality Index (AQI) in different parts of Kathmandu crossed 500, according to measurements at the US Embassy measuring station at Phora Darbar.

Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar, Environmental Expert, was the resource person for the program. During the program, he explained the main causes of air pollution in Kathmandu Valley and the effects seen on human health. As shared in the program, the major causes for air pollution in Kathmandu Valley is a result of change in mode of transportation, topography of the Valley and seasonal changes in the Valley. Since 1991 to 2012, almost 20 per cent of population using mode of transportation as walking has been decreased and use of motorcycle has been increased by almost 3 times resulting higher emission. In addition, due to the topography of the Valley, it tends to hold emitted pollution for longer time period. The air pollution has increased the risk of respiratory diseases among the public that has long term effects as disability and death as well.

The possible solutions to minimize air pollution were also shared in the forum. Among others, the effective and practicable solution for public are using electric vehicles and public transportation, and discouraging ineffective process of waste burning. And, youths can support to increase the use of these solutions through advocacy and raising awareness in general public.

The program had more than 30 participants with different academic backgrounds. The program ended with Q and A session by addressing queries of the participants.

Inspiring Individuals For Healthy Life Through Motivational Session

Prepared by: Ms. Janaki Shrestha, Member, PP Batch III

Edited by: Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO and I’m Your Hygiene Counselor, virtually organized a program, “For healthy Life: A Motivational Session” on August 30, 2020. The program initiated with introduction of Paschim Paaila and Mask-Mandu Campaign as the campaign is youth led initiative to raise awareness and sensitize general public on proper use of mask and maintaining hygiene behavior for prevention of spread of COVID-19. The motivational session was organized to motivate and inspire youth and general public to lead happy and healthy life and motivate others for healthy behavior amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

A motivational speaker and Intellect Disease Specialist, Mr. Raman Bhattarai, resided as resource person for the program. The session of motivation started with sharing of basic daily activities of Mr. Bhattarai as an exemplary sharing which was later connected with important activities required for obtaining healthy life style. During the session participants were shared ideas to lead healthy life such as proper intake of diet, daily meditation and yoga, proper sleep, drinking enough water and reviewing the day. The activities were coupled with things to remember for this time of pandemic such as washing hands with soap and water, using masks proper and reminding others to do same. Thus, Mr. Bhattarai shared thanking ourselves for such good deeds is an additional motivation for happy life. Meditation as an additional requirement for positive energy, the session ended with short meditation. 

The program remained participatory with interaction and queries from active participants. More than 110 individuals attended the program virtually. The program ended with closing remarks from President of Paschim Paaila Mr. Buddha Bajracharya by thanking Mr. Raman Bhattarai and all participants and conclude overall session with key word “Each five Teach Five” to sensitize and more importantly to trigger the general public on the importance of adopting the key hygiene behavior and proper use of mask to prevent spread of COVID-19 and consequently in supporting to flattened the curve of COVID -19 pandemic in Nepal. 

11th Annual Sharing of Paschim Paaila Organized

 Prepared by: Ms. Sushama Sharma, Member, PP Batch III

Edited by: Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator

Paschim Paaila organized 11^th Annual Sharing Program on 23^rd August, 2020 through zoom platform to celebrate the completion of its 11 years of journey serving in the sector of WASH, Emergency, Disaster and Epidemic with voluntary essence and to share progress of FY 2019/20 and way forward in presence of guests and Paaila members.

The program started with one minute silence for the departed souls in an epidemic and pandemic as tribute from Paschim Paaila. The program continued with presence of valuable guests Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha, Deputy Director at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as Chief Guest, Mr. Bhushan Tuladhar, Chairperson of ENPHO and Environmentalist, Prof. Dr. Murali Gopal Ranjitar, Chairperson at NIHE, Mr. Bipin Dangol, Senior Sanitation Expert at Islamic Development Bank, Ms. Bhawana Sharma, Executive Director at ENPHO, as Special Guests, Mr. Manjeet Dhakal, LDC Support Team Head, Climate Analytics, Mr. Raman Bhattarai, Intellect Disease Specialist and, Mr. Phurba Sange Moktan, Immediate Past President of Paschim Paaila as Guests.

Ms. Anita Bhuju, Network Coordinator/Member Secretary of Paschim Paaila, shared the progress on activities of FY 2019/20 of Paschim Paaila which was followed by announcement of Paaila Idea Fund 2020. The basic objective of “Paaila Idea Fund” is to encourage youths of Nepal for the creative ideas into action in WASH, SDG and Emergency intervention initiatives. The introduction session of energetic youth volunteers as PP Batch III members was then followed by announcement of Paaila of the Year 2019/20 Award. Every year Paschim Paaila has been acknowledging the effort of volunteerism and dedication with the title “Paaila of the Year” award. This year, Ms. Sushama Sharma, PP Batch III member, was awarded as “Paaila of the Year 2019/20 Award”.

In the program, Chief Guest, Special Guest, Guest and Paaila members gave valuable remarks and assured to be with Paschim Paaila. During the remarks, Paschim Paaila team were appreciated for the initiative of Mask-Mandu Campaign. The campaign aims to aware and sensitize general public on proper use of mask and to maintain hygiene behaviour to prevent the spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19 engaging most energetic youths.

Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha said, “I have never seen such leadership of youth in the sector in any part of the world. It is great to such leadership of youth in Nepal but it now needs to be spread worldwide through social media and networking” during the guest remarks.

Altogether 40 Paaila members attended the Annual Sharing program as Guests and general member. Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, President of Paschim Paaila formally closed the program summarizing remarks and with the vote of thanks to guests and paaila members for the presence and remarks.