Bollywood actor Juhi Chawla, who was here with her family recently, brought the city's growing pollution problem to the fore.
The 50-year-old actor took to Twitter to raise concerns about the environment in the Nepali capital.
"While waiting for our cars, in Kathmandu... So much dust, so much traffic, so much diesel and petrol fume in the air, that we had to cover our faces, every day here locals walk around with surgical masks," Chawla wrote alongside a photograph covering nose by herself and her family members.
According to English daily Republica, the actor's comments made headlines.
Chawla, who was mesmerised by the facade of Boudhanath Stupa "and the prayer flags fluttering high in the sky" could not do away with what the residents face every day, reports the national daily.
The government blames the rehabilitation works being carried out to improve water supply system in Kathmandu as part of the Melamchi Water Project for the severe drinking water scarce city, for the pollution.
Many people, however, believe that the delay in work and negligence by the government is more responsible for the situation.
"Famous Indian actress Juhi Chawla had expressed whatever she had experienced in Kathmandu and we don't take it otherwise," said leading tourism entrepreneur Bikram Pandey adding "we take her comment as an advice that inspires us to improve the situation."
Being a health conscious person, her concern is natural, he said.
"We hope that the government will take quick measures to improve the environment to reduce dust and smoke pollution for the sake of tourism," Pandey said.
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