Dhuwa ('Smoke'): A Nepalese film on air pollution

Dhuwa (smoke) is a short telefilm about air pollution from open fires. It presents the problems and solutions associated with air pollution to the general public through a mixture of comedy with informative messages about atmospheric issues. The film tackles Nepal's open burning problem in all three of its regions – mountains, hills, and plains.

The film was produced by CCAC partners, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS),  to address Nepal's deteriorating air quality in Nepal and to raise awareness as part of a joint initiative called Sustainable Atmosphere for the Kathmandu Valley (SusKat). The film is a colloboration between ICIMOD, IASS and MaHa Sanchar a private organization formed in 1982 by Nepal’s veteran comic duo Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bamsha Acharya. The duo are among the most popular and respected comedians in the nation. They work for cultural, social, and economic development by performing stage dramas and producing films and other educational materials that combine awareness-raising and popular comedy. They have produced films in partnership with several organizations. ICIMOD and IASS considered their popularity among Nepalis to be a key ingredient in bring needed awareness to the issue of air pollution in the nation.

In addition to the main message of reducing air pollution from open burning, the film depicts several other issues including:

• The impacts of air pollution on health and the climate.
• Individual responsibility and effort to decrease air pollution.
• The transboundary nature of air pollution: Pollution from abroad affects us. Pollution also reaches the high Himalayas, affecting snow and glaciers, tourism, and areas downstream.
• Major sources of air pollution, including vehicles, industries, cooking fires, and open fires including heating fires, crop residue fires, and garbage fires.

The telefilm aims to educate the public about various aspects of air pollution and inspire viewers to change their behaviour, which could directly help reduce air pollution and have positive effects on both the environment and the health of the public.