Kathmandu— Officials from local governments across Kathmandu Valley convened Friday at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development to address ongoing issues with waste management, ultimately agreeing to develop individual action plans for managing their own refuse. The meeting, chaired by Minister for Information and Communication Dr. Bikram Timilsina, brought together mayors, environmental officials, experts, and residents affected by the Banchare Danda landfill in Nuwakot district to discuss long-term strategies and solutions. Participants emphasized the need for coordination between federal and local authorities while prioritizing self-sufficiency in waste disposal as mandated by law.

Decentralization and Local Responsibility

The meeting underscored that effective waste management is primarily the responsibility of individual municipalities, though long-term success requires collaboration with both the federal government and other relevant agencies. Minister Timilsina affirmed the government’s commitment to resolving issues faced by residents near the Banchare Danda landfill site and pledged support for local efforts. He stressed that each municipality should strive to manage its own waste, while assuring continued federal assistance and potential amendments to legal provisions to facilitate this transition.

Addressing Past Obstacles

Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, highlighted the historical challenges hindering effective waste management, citing political interference and a tendency for blame. She advocated for comprehensive planning encompassing short-, medium-, and long-term goals, with an emphasis on managing waste at its source. Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan called for the cancellation of the existing agreement with Nepwaste, a joint venture that he believes has impeded independent waste management efforts.

Local Commitments and Progress

Mayors from Budhanilkantha, Tokha, Dhunibeshi, Kirtipur, and Dakshinkali municipalities also voiced their commitment to managing their own waste. Kirtipur Mayor Krishnaman Dangol announced plans to implement a self-management system within six months, while Dakshinkali Mayor Mohan Basnet reported that waste segregation efforts had already reduced the volume of refuse generated by his municipality over the past three months. A presentation revealed Kathmandu accounts for 48.8% of the waste transported to Banchare Danda, followed by Lalitpur at 10% and Budhanilkantha at 5%

Banchare Danda Landfill and Future Plans

Currently, 1,792 ropanis of land have been acquired for the Banchare Danda landfill site. The meeting proposed a multi-faceted approach to waste management including decentralization, establishing local recycling facilities, producing compost and energy from biodegradable materials, and implementing resource recovery technologies at Bancharedanda. Infrastructure worth Rs. 1.04 billion has already been constructed at the landfill, with an additional Rs. 516.3 million in contracts underway. The landfill directly impacts 875 households across 539 hectares, with surrounding areas also affected.

Local residents proposed a four-year plan to eliminate waste sent to Banchare Danda through reduction, segregation, reuse, recycling and the adoption of a circular economy model, while also requesting the formation of a Waste Management Development Authority and full implementation of past agreements.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.