𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐭𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤

…𝒔𝒎𝒐𝒈 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒖𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚

By Yeshi Dolma

At 7 a.m., Sonam steps outside her home in Thimphu and immediately coughs. The mountains usually crisp and clear in the morning sun, are obscured by a grey haze. Her chest feels tight, and she hesitates before beginning her walk to school. Across the city, similar scenes are unfolding. Parents debate whether children should play outside, elderly residents with respiratory conditions remain indoors, and small vendors pause their work, covering their mouths as they move through streets blanketed in smoke.

For a country known for its clean environment and mountain landscapes, these changes are increasingly visible and troubling. While local sources contribute to deteriorating air quality, a significant portion of the pollution affecting Himalayan regions originates beyond national borders.

According to A Breath of Change: Solutions for Cleaner Air in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills, a World Bank Group report, up to 68 percent of fine particulate pollution, or PM2.5, in some Himalayan areas comes from transboundary sources. Pollutants from industrial, agricultural, and vehicular activities in neighbouring countries are carried by winds and trapped in valleys and towns.

PM2.5 is considered the most harmful form of air pollution due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. The report links prolonged exposure to cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, stroke, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Across the region, PM2.5 levels range from eight to twenty times higher than the World Health Organization’s annual guideline, reducing life expectancy by more than three years and costing an estimated 10 percent of gross domestic product each year.

For communities, the effects are increasingly evident in daily life. Rinchen, a Gewog Tshogpa from Sengeygang Tsho Chhongna, said his community has observed gradual but concerning changes.

“Things are improving slowly, but mornings and nights are the worst,” said Rinchen.
“Our vegetables are failing, and oranges that once grew well now shrivel before harvest. People talk about skin problems and more frequent coughing. We don’t have experts to confirm, but these are the challenges we see every day.”

Urban students report similar disruptions. Sonam, a higher secondary student in Thimphu, described how air pollution affects her studies.

“When the air feels heavy, it’s hard to focus in class,” she said.
“Sometimes our teacher keeps us inside for safety. My friends and I get headaches and coughs. It’s hard to learn when you can’t breathe properly.”

Another student, Karma Choki, said winter months are particularly difficult.
“During winter, the haze is thick. We stop playing outside, and even walking to school feels uncomfortable. I worry about my health and my future if this continues.”

Working adults face parallel challenges. Small business owners report slower productivity during periods of heavy haze, while farmers note crop losses in low lying areas where pollutants settle. Women who rely on traditional solid fuels for cooking face additional exposure indoors, compounding health risks. These combined pressures place physical and financial strain on households.

Authorities have acknowledged the growing concern. The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, through the Department of Environment and Climate Change, is working with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development to develop a National Clean Air Action Plan. Consultations have been held with industry representatives, academics, and technical experts, with a focus on reducing industrial emissions and promoting cleaner, energy efficient practices.

A ministry official said regional cooperation remains central to addressing the issue.
“The nation has demonstrated leadership in addressing this challenge through regional cooperation initiatives. The Thimphu Outcome of 2024 outlined a framework for enhanced regional cooperation, harmonized monitoring, and coordinated implementation of air quality measures,” the official said.
“These steps show our commitment to not only national but regional solutions, recognizing that clean air cannot stop at our borders.”

Industry participation has been a key component of the process. Officials from the Department of Industry, the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and associations representing small and medium enterprises have taken part in consultations on cleaner production methods. Technical experts from India and ICIMOD have shared experiences related to dust management, energy efficiency, and pollution control in small scale manufacturing, cement, and ferroalloy industries.

Vir Vikram Yadav, IAS, Additional Secretary of India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board, highlighted the importance of regulatory frameworks.
“Strong regulations, enforcement, and enabling policies are essential for reducing industrial emissions,” he said.
“Bhutan has the opportunity to implement these measures early and set an example in the region.”

The World Bank report identifies five major sources of PM2.5: residential cooking, transport, agriculture, industry, and waste management. It notes that no single sector or short term intervention can achieve clean air targets. Sustained reductions require coordinated action across all sectors, supported by reliable data, financial incentives, strong governance, and investment in infrastructure.

Even under ambitious scenarios, the report states that it could take up to a decade to meet interim air quality targets. In the meantime, it recommends protective measures, including integrating air pollution considerations into health care systems and improving ventilation and safety protocols in schools during high pollution periods.
Ann Jeannette Glauber, World Bank Practice Manager for Environment in South Asia, highlighted the need for continued cooperation.

“Achieving cleaner air will require continued collaboration, sustained financing, and strong implementation at local, national and regional levels,” she said.
“By acting together, governments can follow this pathway to cut pollution, save millions of lives, and deliver cleaner air for all.”

In Thimphu, policy discussions translate into daily adjustments. Vendors wear masks while selling vegetables, parents track air quality updates before allowing children outdoors, and elderly residents with chronic conditions avoid morning walks. Students like Sonam and Pema modify routines to reduce exposure.
Rinchen reflected on the wider challenge faced by mountain communities.

“We live in these valleys, thinking the mountains protect us. But the air that drifts here carries threats from far away. We can take precautions, but real change will require action beyond our borders. Until then, every breath carries risk.”
Beyond immediate health concerns, air pollution poses long term risks to economic productivity, education, and development. Renewable energy initiatives, improved cookstoves, cleaner industrial technologies, and expanded monitoring systems offer potential pathways forward. The effectiveness of these measures, however, will depend on sustained commitment, adequate resources, and public engagement.

As the National Clean Air Action Plan moves forward, its implementation will test whether local, national, and regional stakeholders can respond decisively. For residents across valleys and cities, the air they breathe remains both essential and uncertain, underlining that environmental challenges in the Himalayas extend beyond borders and generations.