Comparison of aerosol optical properties over Lumbini, Pokhara and Langtang-Base Camp

Aerosol optical properties vary significantly across Nepal's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with Lumbini exhibiting the highest aerosol optical depth (AOD) due to land clearing, vegetation fires, and anthropogenic activities. The study, conducted between 2017 and 2019 using AERONET data, found that while Pokhara and Langtang-Base Camp had lower AOD levels (0.1 and 0.01 respectively), Lumbini's AOD peaked in winter and summer monsoon seasons. Seasonal fluctuations in visibility, the angstrom exponent, and precipitable water were distinct across these sites, with Langtang-Base Camp showing three times greater visibility than Lumbini and Pokhara. The research highlights the complex interplay of natural and human-induced factors influencing aerosol loading and atmospheric clarity in these regions.

Sapkota, S., Gautam, S., Gautam, A., Poudel, R., Pokheral, S., Basent, K., & Subedi, A. (2023). Comparison of aerosol optical properties over Lumbini, Pokhara and Langtang-Base Camp. Himalayan Physics, 58–65. https://doi.org/10.3126/hp.v10i1.55280