Buddha’s birthplace (Lumbini, Nepal) is polluted

A first-of-its-kind study reveals alarming air pollution levels at Lumbini, Nepal, the UNESCO World Heritage Site revered as the birthplace of the Buddha. Measurements during April-June 2013 showed that pollutants like black carbon (BC), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) frequently exceeded WHO guidelines, posing significant health risks to residents and visitors. Peak pollution was linked to regional forest fires and meteorological conditions favoring pollutant transport. While the WRF-STEM model underestimated concentrations by a factor of 1.4–5, it successfully captured variability, providing insights into sources like biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion. The findings underscore the urgent need for long-term air quality monitoring in Lumbini to protect its cultural heritage, public health, and agro-ecosystems.

Dipesh Rupakheti, Bhupesh Adhikary, P. S. Praveen, Shichang Kang, Naja, M., Arnico Panday, Qianggong Zhang, Maheswar Rupakheti, Khadak Singh Mahata, & Lawrence, M. (2016). Buddha’s birthplace (Lumbini, Nepal) is polluted. Unpublished. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.3294.6805