Garbage Disposal Halted in Kathmandu Due to Protests by Local Residents of Kakani and Dhunibesi Local Levels

A labourer sorts out rubbish at Sisdole landfill site in this photo from August, 2021. via The Kathmandu Post 

Due to the obstruction by the residents of Kakani rural municipality and Dhunibesi municipality, the garbage of Kathmandu Valley could not be discharged even today.

Every day, 1100 to 1300 metric tons of waste is dumped in Banchare Danda from 18 local levels of Kathmandu Valley.

Local residents have been protesting since Shrawan 1st, stating that the previous agreement has not been literally implemented, and they cannot live with the garbage. As a result, Kathmandu's waste has not been disposed of.

On Wednesday, there was a discussion with the locals of the affected area at the Ministry of Urban Development.

Ravinman Shrestha, Head of Waste Management Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, was quoted as saying that, according to Wednesday's agreement, the waste of the long-term landfill site is being transported to Banchare Danda.

'There is work going on to deliver garbage. Talks are also ongoing with the locals. We are trying to dispose of waste,' Shrestha was quoted as mentioning.

Nabin Manandhar, spokesperson of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, was quoted as stating that they are still in discussion.

'We are discussing sensitively, we will find a solution soon. The metropolis is serious about solving the problem there,' he was quoted as saying.

Ghannath Bajgai, Ward Chairperson of Kakani Rural Municipality-3, was quoted as saying that if the Ministry of Urban Development works according to the agreement, there will be no disruption in waste disposal.

According to the discussion held in the Ministry of Urban Development, efforts are being made to cover the waste with 15 cm of soil.

Similarly, a group from Nepal Science and Technology Academy has also reached the Sisdol-Banchare Danda area to study the affected area.

"We have received information that they will start the study from Monday. If the federal government and the local levels of Kathmandu Valley are responsible for implementing the previous agreement and solving the current problem, there will be no problem in waste disposal," he was quoted as saying.

Man Bahadur Tamang, the ward chairperson of Dhunibesi Municipality-1, said that the Ministry of Urban Development is ready to discuss on Sunday.

'We have not received the notice of the meeting. The meeting did not conclude after the Dhunibesi and Kakani chiefs were absent from Wednesday's discussion. Here the barrier remains. Now, the work of covering the waste with soil (capping) is being done,' he was quoted as saying.

Collectors of private organizations said that more than 6,500 metric tons of garbage have piled up in the Kathmandu valley after the interruption of disposal in Banchare Danda.

"Now more than 6,500 metric tons of garbage are piled up in Kathmandu Valley. Most of them are on the street. We have not received help from the locals in waste disposal. We sent 5 tippers yesterday morning, 3 in the afternoon, and 5 this morning to remove the waste," Mitra Ghimire, the general secretary of the Solid Waste Management Association of Nepal (SWMAN) was quoted as saying.

(Disclaimer: This is a translation based on an original article. Consistency in information has been maintained for accuracy.)