The Himalayas, long cherished for their breathtaking beauty and spiritual significance, are increasingly vanishing behind a thick curtain of haze. Once easily visible from cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, even on clear days, these majestic peaks now appear only in postcards and photographs.
1. Escalating Air Pollution Across South Asia
From Kathmandu to Delhi, air quality continues to worsen. Vehicle emissions, industrial output, and rampant construction dust are just a few of the culprits. The haze is not just local—South Asian cities dominate global air pollution rankings, directly impacting visibility in the Himalayas.
“Since you can’t have those things mostly now because of the haze, I have rebranded it with history and culture as there are those tourism products as well here.”
During an earlier trip a year ago, I was hopeful I would be able to see the mighty Himalayan peaks on a trek in the mesmerising Annapurna region – but had hardly any luck there either.
2. Climate Change Extending Dry Seasons
Traditionally, March to May and October to November were the best times for clear skies. But due to rising global temperatures and reduced rainfall, the haze now starts earlier and lasts longer. The dry season has expanded, allowing pollutants to build up without being washed away by rain.
3. Vanishing Tourism Revenue
The impact on Nepal’s trekking industry has been devastating. Trekking guides like Lucky Chhetri report up to a 40% drop in bookings. “No sighting means no business,” she said. Disappointed tourists are turning away, and many operators are considering abandoning their livelihoods altogether.
4. Dust Storms and Forest Fires Intensify
Worsening weather patterns have led to more frequent dust storms and massive forest fires. Combined with the burning of crop stubble across India, Pakistan, and Nepal, these factors contribute significantly to a thick regional haze visible even from satellites.
5. A Fading Natural Wonder
The Himalayas, once a symbol of awe and clarity, are now often obscured from view. Even scenic points like Nagarkot and Phewa Lake in Pokhara no longer guarantee mountain sightings. Locals and tour operators are rebranding from nature-based tourism to history and culture-based experiences.
This is compounded by soot from massive forest fires – which are increasing due to a longer dry season – and the burning of crop residues after the harvest by farmers in northern India, Pakistan and Nepal.
Weather conditions keeping warmer air above cooler air trap these pollutants and limit vertical air movement – preventing pollution from dispersing.
“Hazes and dust storms are increasing in South Asia, and this trend is projected to continue due to climate change and other factors,” Dr Someshwor Das from the South Asia Meteorological Association told the BBC.
In 2024, the number of hazy days recorded at the airport in Pokhara, a major tourism hub in western Nepal, was 168 – up from 23 in 2020 and 84 in 2021, according to Nepal’s department of hydrology and meteorology.
What Can Be Done?
Experts are calling for stricter air quality regulations, regional cooperation on emissions, and better urban planning. While solutions exist, they require political will and public pressure to implement.
This could mean the scintillating view of the Himalayas could now largely be limited to photographs, paintings and postcards.
“We are left to do business with guilt when we are unable to show our clients the mountains that they pay us for,” said trekking leader Ms Chhetri.
“And there is nothing we can do about the haze.”
Conclusion
The haze covering the Himalayas is more than just a visual obstruction—it’s a symbol of a broader environmental crisis. Without serious action on pollution and climate change, future generations may only know the Himalayas through stories and photos.
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