Breathing in Lumbini is Injurious to Health.

Air pollution threatens the health of 5.3 million people across 12 districts in Lumbini. The average PM2.5 level is 36.2 µg/m³—7.2Ɨ higher than the WHO guideline.

Brought to you by Amrit Sharma

Air Pollution in Lumbini

Lumbini faces significant air pollution challenges. 100% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 5.3 million across 12 districts at risk.

The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 36.2µg/m³. That's 7.2 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5µg/m³.

This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 601 cigarettes in a year.

Air Quality Trend

Annual PM2.5 levels from 2014 to 2023. The WHO guideline for safe air is 5 µg/m³.

Life Expectancy Impact

If Lumbini met the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, the average person would live 3.05 years longer.

That's 16.0M years of life stolen from 5.3 million people. Years of watching children grow up. Years of building a career. Years of quiet mornings and celebrations.

Lives cut short. Breathing kills.

Districts with Highest Pollution

The top 10 most polluted districts in Lumbini. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.

  • 1.Nawalparasi West
    4.6 years lost
  • 2.Rupandehi
    4.3 years lost
  • 3.Kapilbastu
    3.8 years lost
  • 4.Banke
    3 years lost
  • 5.Bardiya
    3 years lost
  • 6.Palpa
    2.4 years lost
  • 7.Dang
    2 years lost
  • 8.Arghakhanchi
    2 years lost
  • 9.Gulmi
    2 years lost
  • 10.Pyuthan
    1.8 years lost

Population Exposure by Pollution Level

Distribution of population across different PM2.5 pollution levels. The WHO guideline is 5 µg/m³—only populations below this threshold are breathing safe air.

< 5 µg/m³
0%
0
5-10 µg/m³
0%
0
10-15 µg/m³
0%
0
15-25 µg/m³
11.2%
588K
25-35 µg/m³
28.7%
1.5M
> 35 µg/m³
60.1%
3.2M

All 12 Districts in Lumbini

Complete air quality data for every district in Lumbini, sorted by population.

DistrictPopulationPM2.5 µg/m³Years Lost
Rupandehi1.0M
48.8
4.3 years
Kapilbastu670K
44.3
3.8 years
Dang642K
25.8
2.0 years
Banke575K
35.8
3.0 years
Bardiya500K
35.5
3.0 years
Nawalparasi West388K
51.9
4.6 years
Gulmi329K
25.1
2.0 years
Palpa307K
29.3
2.4 years
Pyuthan266K
22.9
1.8 years
Rolpa261K
19.4
1.4 years
Arghakhanchi230K
25.6
2.0 years
Rukum East62K
20.3
1.5 years

Showing 12 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.