Human-Caused Pollution Is Reaching Remote Areas Of The Himalayas; Here’s What A New Study Says

Pollution in Indian cities has become common, but now even the Himalayas are not untouched. A recent study has revealed that even the most pristine, remote and high-altitude regions are facing rising levels of human-caused air pollution. We might have thought that these remote areas were untouched by polluted air, but it seems like we were wrong.

Rising Pollution Levels In Remote Areas Of The Himalayas 

Human-caused pollution is not limited to cities and popular hill stations. It has now started reaching even the remote areas of the Himalayas. According to a new study by researchers from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), the air quality of high-altitude regions is now being impacted by human activities.

The researchers spent a year (2022-2023) measuring non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) in Munsyari, a high-altitude Himalayan tourist destination. They observed a clear seasonal pattern. The levels of NMHC were lower during winter and monsoon and higher during spring and autumn. 

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Vehicle Use & Construction Linked To Bad Air Quality 

According to the ARIES study, fuel usage, including LPG and diesel, vehicular emissions, and local construction activities were contributing to pollution at this remote site in the Himalayas. Moreover, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and xylene were also found to contribute to the formation of secondary pollutants like ozone. This pollutant is known to impact not just climate but also human health in the troposphere. 

A regional comparison carried out by the researchers also showed that NMHC levels at Munsyari were higher than those in Nainital but lower than those in Haldwani and Delhi. These findings point to one thing. Human-caused pollution is now reaching even the remote parts of the Himalayas. Pollution-control measures have now become even more important for the Himalayas.

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The study is definitely eye-opening, right?. What do you think of it?

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Allgord