APFED Booklet on Good Practices and Innovative Activities 2005 ...

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Nepal
2007
2009
2008
2005 2006 2007
Promoting the 3Rs [Reduce, Reuse and Recycle] for
Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Gokarneswor Village
Development Committee [VDC] of Kathmandu Valley
Project Site Location Bagmati, Kathmandu
Background - Problems Addressed and Policy Responses
Gokarneswor Village is located on the outskirts of Kathmandu
city, and the village had no agency for waste management.
Some households with agricultural land made compost
using traditional methods, and others generally disposed of
waste into the Bagmati River. This resulted in interference of
the natural river flow and severe environmental and human
health problems.
Locals dump solid wastes
Project Outline - Objectives and Activities
To achieve the project objective of achieving effective solid waste management, the following activities
were undertaken: Awareness-raising campaign of composting at the household level; Support for income
generating activities; Establishment of Waste Management Demonstration Park; Benchmark study of waste
disposal in streets and environment; Assistance for Business Incubation of Waste Recycling Enterprises;
Schemes for Motivation, Incentives and Rewards; and National Workshop on Waste Management.
Impacts and Achievements
After a series of awareness-raising campaigns and training sessions on solid waste management and
compost bin distribution, the following were achieved by the local population: Separation of organic,
inorganic and plastic waste, with organic waste made into compost; Use of jute bags instead of plastic
bags (poly bags) to reduce plastic waste; and Reuse of mineral water bottles and beverage bottles for
storing drinking water. One of the biggest impacts of this project is raised incomes of the local community
from mushroom cultivation. Previously, the major source of income was knitting of wool, which was
problematic and caused respiratory illnesses.
Future Challenges
Project activities have resulted in positive changes not only in the surroundings but also the mindset of the
local residents for adoption of hygienic practices and willingness to recycle solid waste. However, these
activities need to be continued on a sustained basis, and once MARDO withdraws from the project site the
population will not have sufficient financial resources to enable this. Therefore, a long-term solution for
providing support with a focus on livelihood issues is recommended.
General Information
Name of the Implementing Organisation:
Marsyangdi Rural Development Organization (MARDO)
Type of Organisation: NGO/CBO
Contact: Sangam Shrestha, Executive Member
c/o B.L. Shrestha, NELRA, POBox No 433, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: (+977)-1-4353619
E-mail: shrestha_sangam@yahoo.com
Project Reviewer (NetRes / Collaborators) that monitors the project:
Suneel Pandey, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
E-mail: spandey@teri.res.in
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