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Progress should not cost us the air that we breathe.

Kathmandu, Kathmandu ValleyJun 2026

Choking on own Its Progress

As I looked out over the city, the skyline seemed to disappear behind a thick layer of dust and smoke.

Buildings stood tall, but the air around them felt heavy and lifeless.

What should have been a clear view was hidden beneath a gray haze, reminding me of a problem we face every day; air pollution. Much of this pollution comes from the countless construction projects spread across the city.

Every day, bulldozers, cement mixers, and trucks release dust into the air.

Piles of sand, gravel, and construction materials are often left uncovered, allowing strong winds to carry fine particles across neighborhoods.

Along with dust, smoke from vehicles and machinery adds even more pollution to the atmosphere. The effects are not limited to the environment.

Every breath we take carries tiny particles deep into our lungs.

Continuous exposure to dust and smoke can cause coughing, throat irritation, allergies, asthma attacks, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases.

Long-term exposure may even increase the risk of heart disease, lung infections, and reduced lung function. This photograph is more than a cityscape—it is a warning.

Development is necessary, but it should not come at the cost of clean air and public health.

Until proper measures are taken to control dust and emissions, the air we breathe will continue to threaten our well-being every single day.

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Banshika Adhikari

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