As air pollution blankets the Himalayas, both locals and travelers experience the heartbreak of missing out on one of nature's most iconic sights.
The Disappearing Majesty of the Himalayas: A Clear View is Now an Illusion
The Disappearing Majesty of the Himalayas: A Clear View is Now an Illusion
Haze and pollution obscure the once stunning vistas of the Himalayan peaks, impacting tourism and local livelihoods.
The article text:
Growing up in Kathmandu, I was accustomed to viewing the majestic Himalayas, but my frequent visits back to Nepal often yield disappointment as the mountains are increasingly obscured by ominous haze. This persistent air pollution, a consequence of various factors, has made it difficult to catch a glimpse of the defining peaks of the region, even in traditionally clear seasons.
During a flight to Kathmandu last April, we circled multiple times due to poor visibility linked to haze. While hoping for clear skies during my visit, I found myself staying in a hotel at a strategic vantage that still offered no views of the mountains. Nagarkot, once famous for its breathtaking sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas, now largely serves as a location rebranded to market local history and cultural offerings due to the dominating haze.
Scientific assessments reveal that air pollution levels are intensifying, resulting in haze formation from airborne particles like dust and smoke that block visibility dramatically. This persistent haze predominantly lingers in the sky during the dry season, which has been lengthening due to climate change impacts. The rainy season effectively replaces the haze; however, it is not enough to compensate for the diminished visibility during the normally clear spring and autumn months.
As trekking guide Lucky Chhetri notes, the decline in visibility has severely impacted her business, with some tours generating as much as a 40% revenue decrease. A repeat visitor from Australia expressed profound disappointment at the lack of visibility, contrasting his experiences over the past decade. The trekking industry, particularly in Nepal, faces grave concerns as operators express thoughts of shifting to alternative professions due to lost visibility and business.
In neighboring regions like Uttarakhand, tour operators are experiencing similarly dense and early-returning haze. Despite the challenges, some tourists return with hope of spotting the peaks on subsequent visits. Across the border in Pakistan, however, haze's reach is also extending, affecting even formerly visible ranges.
This phenomenon underscores a broader issue affecting public health, disrupting travel, and prompting school closures across highly polluted cities in South Asia. Contributing sources include vehicle emissions, industrial activities, ongoing construction, and crop residue burning, compounded by an increasing occurrence of forest fires. The meteorological conditions often trap pollutants closer to the ground, preventing their dispersion.
Recent data reveals a steep increase in haze days in regions like Pokhara, affording little reprieve from the smog felt across the area. Experts warn that the Himalayas, given their position amid a populous and polluted environment, are among the world's most severely impacted mountain ranges, possibly confining their enchanting views to media representations rather than real-life experiences for many travelers.
"As trekking leaders, we are trapped in this guilt when our clients miss out on what they have paid to see. Sadly, we are powerless against the haze now overshadowing our world," Chhetri sadly reflects.
Growing up in Kathmandu, I was accustomed to viewing the majestic Himalayas, but my frequent visits back to Nepal often yield disappointment as the mountains are increasingly obscured by ominous haze. This persistent air pollution, a consequence of various factors, has made it difficult to catch a glimpse of the defining peaks of the region, even in traditionally clear seasons.
During a flight to Kathmandu last April, we circled multiple times due to poor visibility linked to haze. While hoping for clear skies during my visit, I found myself staying in a hotel at a strategic vantage that still offered no views of the mountains. Nagarkot, once famous for its breathtaking sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas, now largely serves as a location rebranded to market local history and cultural offerings due to the dominating haze.
Scientific assessments reveal that air pollution levels are intensifying, resulting in haze formation from airborne particles like dust and smoke that block visibility dramatically. This persistent haze predominantly lingers in the sky during the dry season, which has been lengthening due to climate change impacts. The rainy season effectively replaces the haze; however, it is not enough to compensate for the diminished visibility during the normally clear spring and autumn months.
As trekking guide Lucky Chhetri notes, the decline in visibility has severely impacted her business, with some tours generating as much as a 40% revenue decrease. A repeat visitor from Australia expressed profound disappointment at the lack of visibility, contrasting his experiences over the past decade. The trekking industry, particularly in Nepal, faces grave concerns as operators express thoughts of shifting to alternative professions due to lost visibility and business.
In neighboring regions like Uttarakhand, tour operators are experiencing similarly dense and early-returning haze. Despite the challenges, some tourists return with hope of spotting the peaks on subsequent visits. Across the border in Pakistan, however, haze's reach is also extending, affecting even formerly visible ranges.
This phenomenon underscores a broader issue affecting public health, disrupting travel, and prompting school closures across highly polluted cities in South Asia. Contributing sources include vehicle emissions, industrial activities, ongoing construction, and crop residue burning, compounded by an increasing occurrence of forest fires. The meteorological conditions often trap pollutants closer to the ground, preventing their dispersion.
Recent data reveals a steep increase in haze days in regions like Pokhara, affording little reprieve from the smog felt across the area. Experts warn that the Himalayas, given their position amid a populous and polluted environment, are among the world's most severely impacted mountain ranges, possibly confining their enchanting views to media representations rather than real-life experiences for many travelers.
"As trekking leaders, we are trapped in this guilt when our clients miss out on what they have paid to see. Sadly, we are powerless against the haze now overshadowing our world," Chhetri sadly reflects.
