尼泊爾軍方每週五禁公車 促環保

爲緩解空氣污染和交通擁堵狀況，尼泊爾軍方日前宣佈，駐加德滿都的軍隊軍官每週五都禁用公車，需步行、騎自行車或者搭乘公共交通工具上班。環保人士對此舉表示歡迎，他們還督促政府機構也實施相關政策。加德滿都位於一個碗型山谷中，粉塵污染程度一直較高。尼泊爾軍方最高長官拉納將軍上週五率先響應政策，騎一輛山地自行車上班。他表示，此舉在緩解空氣污染的同時，也能培養健康的生活方式。不過，也有環保人士指出，加德滿都市內沒有專屬的自行車道或許是推行環保出行的一個主要障礙。

Nepal's senior Army officers have been ordered to ditch their cars at least once a week when coming to office - to reduce air pollution and traffic jams.

From now on, every Friday they must walk, cycle or use public transport to go to work in the capital Kathmandu.

Army chief Gen Rana set an example by riding a mountain bike from his official residence to the office.

The capital lies in a bowl-shaped valley and suffers from high levels of dust pollution.

The army move was welcomed by environmentalists, who also urged the government and NGOs to follow the suit.

Gen Rana asked all army officers - from lieutenants to generals - based within Kathmandu valley to refrain from using private vehicles on Fridays.

He said the move would also help promote healthy lifestyle.

A known cycle-enthusiast himself, Gen Rana on Friday donned cycling gear and pedalled about 3km (two miles) from his residence to the army HQ, passing through dusty and busy roads.

The army chief - who looked quite comfortable - was joined by a number of senior army officers along the way.

Gen Rana took over the reins of nearly 100,000-strong army three months ago.

Commenting on the new initiative, army spokesman Brig Gen Suresh Sharma said: "We are observing Fridays as a clean environment day."

Nepalese environment activists say the levels of dust pollution in the Kathmandu area are up to seven times higher than the permissible limit set by the country's health authorities.

While welcoming the army drive, they also point out that the lack of dedicated cycling lanes remains a major handicap to the campaign.