Rule to disaggregate solid wastes within source unimplemented

The Kathmandu Metropolis’ decision to implement the policy of disaggregating solid waste within the source of its origin is yet to be fully implemented.

Lack of cooperation on the part of the Kathmandu folks is blamed for it. It may be noted that earlier the local government had, through a notice, publicly urged the Valley denizens to separate biodegradable and non- biodegradable wastes before providing it to collectors. As the metropolis said, the rule would come into force from the very first day of the current fiscal (July 17). But so far practice is that the Valley people are not serious about the call and went along with the old ways.

Similarly, confusions hover over fixing locations for managing biodegradable and non biodegradable wastes in the Banchare Danda landfill site.

The Kathmandu metropolis said it would fine Rs 500 in case of the violation of the waste disaggregation rule. The Solid Waste Management Act, 2011 and the Environment and Natural Resources Conservation Act issued by the Kathmandu metropolis in 2077 BS provides a legal ground to fine those failing to fulfill responsibility for urban sanitation and cleanliness.

The Act makes the people producing the waste responsible for its separation at its source itself.

The developed countries are found managing the waste generated in cities in a systematic way and turning it into a source of income.

However, the management of Kathmandu Valley's waste has become a big problem almost every year, giving a bad name to the co0untry itself for not being able to manage the waste in a sustainable manner.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has been scouting for identifying places for managing the biodegradable waste within the Kathmandu Valley itself.

Meanwhile, KMC said it is carrying out works for identifying the place for long-term management of waste in an effective way in the coming days as dumping all kinds of waste at Banchare Danda landfill site has created problems time and again.

KMC is adopting this measure in line with its plan of not managing the hazardous waste at Banchare Danda.

"Three sites have been identified within the Valley. The management of biodegradable waste will be started from mid-November if there is no obstruction to this in the meantime. We are also holding discussions with the locals in this connection," said Sunil Lamsal, a member of KMC Mayor's secretariat.

Minimum 50 ropanis land would be required at a single site for the waste management. Presently, the waste from 18 local levels in the Valley, including KMC, is being managed at Banchare Danda.

The KMC is looking for a suitable site for managing the biodegradable waste within the Valley itself with the consideration that dumping all kinds of waste only in Banchare Danda is not an appropriate option. KMC is in the process of identifying additional sites for this purpose.

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