Hello. I am Bora Huh, a 21-year-old student who spent most of my life in Kathmandu, Nepal.
If you want to know more about me, please refer to my introduction on this GGS Platform.
https://saebeomi.blogspot.com/2026/05/handong-friend-debora-huh-from-nepal-to.html
Here is my SoH idea for creating a healthier and cleaner environment in Nepal.
Home - Although I was born in Seoul, South Korea, I moved to Nepal when I was four years old because my parents were missionaries. I spent most of my childhood and teenage years in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. While living there, one of the biggest environmental problems I experienced was severe air pollution. On some days, the sky was covered with gray smog, making it difficult to see distant mountains that Nepal is famous for.
Overview - One reason air pollution is especially serious in Kathmandu is its geographical structure. Kathmandu Valley is surrounded by mountains and has a bowl-shaped landscape, which makes it difficult for polluted air to circulate and escape. As a result, dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke remain trapped in the city for long periods of time. In addition, the rapid increase in vehicles, weak emission control, open waste burning, and poor waste management systems have worsened the problem. Waste segregation and recycling systems are still not well established in many areas, causing large amounts of garbage to be improperly disposed of or burned, which further increases air pollution. Studies have shown that Kathmandu frequently experiences particulate matter levels far above the World Health Organization’s recommended standards, creating serious health risks for residents.
Plan - To help address this issue, I believe Nepal should strengthen environmental regulations and transportation policies. First, stricter vehicle emission standards should be introduced and regularly enforced. Vehicles that fail to meet emission requirements should face penalties or restrictions until they comply with environmental regulations. At the same time, the government should continue encouraging the use of electric vehicles and cleaner public transportation systems. In addition, Nepal needs a more organized waste segregation and recycling system so that recyclable materials can be properly processed instead of being burned or dumped. Proper waste separation at homes, schools, and public facilities would significantly reduce environmental pollution.
Execute - To carry out this plan, environmental education campaigns could be introduced in schools and local communities to raise awareness about air pollution and waste management. Local governments could provide separate recycling bins, strengthen waste collection systems, and conduct regular vehicle emission inspections. Through cooperation between citizens, schools, and government institutions, Nepal can gradually improve air quality, reduce pollution-related health risks, and create a cleaner environment for future generations.
As someone who spent most of my life in Kathmandu, I hope Nepal can become a place where people can enjoy cleaner air and a healthier environment. I believe that small but consistent actions can create meaningful change for the future.
