Itahari : The only metropolitan city and also the temporary capital of Province 1, Biratnagar, has made the bank of Kesaliya River its dumping site.
Thother two sub-metropolitan cities of the province namely Dharan and Itahari are also dumping their waste in a jungle area known as Charkose Jhadi. Stakeholders concerned about environment have been lashing out at the tendency of dumping waste in the nearby forest and river.
Even though the mega cities of province 1 including Biratnagar, Dharan and Itahari have not been able to think of a proper landfill site, the tiny municipality of Dhankuta has set an example of proper garbage management. With a population of 50,000 and an annual revenue of 20 million, Dhankuta has successfully managed its waste standing out as a shining example.
Representatives of local governments from the region have been visiting the landfill of Dhankta to learn garbage management. According to environmental department chief of Dhankuta, Upendra Khanal, around 200 local government officials have visited this site so far. Due to the increase in number of visitors to this landfill site, Dhankuta municipal executive meeting of March, 2018 officially decided to charge an entrance fee of 50,00 rupees for the local governments.
After this decision was made, 31 local governments have visited this site. This has raised Rs 1,55,000 in revenue for the municipality.
Landfill site turns into city park
Dhankuta’s landfill site is situated nearby by a dense city settlement. Though the landfill site is just 150-300 meters away from human settlement, nobody has spoken against it.
People living in the vicinity are happy because the landfill site area of 30 ropanis has turned into a beautiful city park. More than 40 species of flowers are planted in this site.
No foul smell is felt in the surrounding area because of fragrance emitted by a varieties of flowers. Every day more than hundred city dwellers visit this place, says, Bikash Adhikari, tourism department head of Dhankuta Municipality.
Waste segregation for trash management
Dhankuta has introduced a system of segregating household waste. People are encouraged to segregate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. Non-degradable waste is carried to the landfill site by the municipality, while biodegradable waste is used as animal fodder and agricultural manure. In city areas, the manure is used for kitchen garden and rooftop farming.
Almost half of the 12 tonnes waste produced daily in Dhankuta is biodegradable, and 12 percent of them plastic. “We collect just half of the total waste in Dhankuta,” says Upendra Khanal, “The other half of them is managed in household itself.”
So as to avoid harmful health effects of landfill site on its employees, municipality has adopted safety measures. Employees are undergone periodic medical check-ups and are insured.
Dhankuta honored for model landfill site
Dhankuta initiated its waste management in 30 Ropanis of land since 2009. This landfill site situated in Dhankuta-6, Salleri has been a proud identity of Dhankuta.
The government declared it as second cleanest city of Nepal in 2016 and gave a cash prize of Rs 700,000. Then again in 2017, it was declared as the cleanest city of Nepal and received Rs 1 million as cash prize.
Dhankuta’s model landfill site has been made a name for itself and inspired other local units for garbage management. This has been visited by many federal and provincial ministers and environmental activists.
“Dhankuta was successful in managing its waste because of people’s positive support,” says Mayor Chintan Tamang, “we think of more innovative ways to manage the city waste with a little budget but a huge public participation.”
