V Káthmandů je mnoho odpadů - staví se nová skládka

WASTE management has been one of the major challenges for authorities in the cities. It is more so in the newly emerging cities especially in the Third World countries. The cities are increasingly becoming a beehive for the people from rural areas. As opportunities are scarce in the villages, people flock to the cities in search of better opportunities. As a result, the cities are getting crowded and urban population is multiplying every year. This has posed a serious threat to urban planning and environment. Nepal is also not an exception. The ongoing conflict and lack of opportunities in the rural areas have pushed many people out of the villages. Nepal?s urban centers are, thus, getting more crowded due to the flocks of people from rural parts. As our cities are not well planned, serious problems are cropping up posing greater problems for the municipal authorities. Being the capital city, Kathmandu is facing multiple challenges in the form of population increase and there by waste generation.

Solid waste management is one of the problems of the Kathmandu Valley. Ever since the Gokarna landfill site was closed, the disposal of Kathmandu?s waste has not seen a solution. In the absence of permanent landfill site, the waste of the valley has been disposed in various places on an ad hoc basis. This has caused serious environmental and hygienic problems. As the population is growing every year, the volume of waste is also increasing in the same proportion. Thus, a long-term strategy was absolutely necessary to permanently solve the waste management in the Kathmandu valley. In view of this, the government has decided to develop the Okharpauwa landfill site for the permanent solution of capital?s waste disposal. The new landfill site is soon going to be operated, which is, of course, a matter of great satisfaction not only for the government and municipal authorities but also for the entire people in the capital. Once it comes into operation, the garbage disposal problem would be solved for decades. Moreover, the development of Okharpauwa landfill site has brought many developments to the people of the surrounding areas. New roads have been constructed and smaller roads widened and other infrastructures have also been developed. There is apprehension about the impact on the local environment because of the landfill site. However, the government and municipal authorities seem to be aware of this. A separate monitoring body is to be created to take necessary measures to mitigate the negative impact on local environment, which is, indeed, a praiseworthy move.

ZDROJ: The rising Nepal