157 trucks carrying an estimated 1200 metric tonnes of waste was dumped in the landfill sites of Banchare Dada on Tuesday – with force, as locals continued to obstruct vehicular movement. Fourteen locals were detained by police, and released in the evening.
This is the second time the government has used force to dispose waste in the dumpfill sites. Earlier on 7th May, exactly a month earlier, the government had dispatched security forces to escort the trucks to the landfill area.
The 157 trucks had made their way to the landfill sites a day after a tripartite agreement was signed between Nepal’s Ministry for Urban Development, Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Dhunibesi Municipality – however locals complained their representation was not enough.
According to a report by the Rising Nepal, Coordinator of the Sisdole Bancharedanda Struggle Committee Sriram Dhungana has said that agreement was forged without the participation of locals affected by the landfill site, and has overlooked their long-standing demands.
The situation has demanded a better and inclusive approach by the government regarding the demands of the locals – however, with mounting garbage (and pressure), they were forced to use force.
Meanwhile, garbage along Kathmandu’s street is continuing to mount – public health officials and the general public worried about the diseases the rubbish could invite, especially as monsoons arrive.
Kathmandu’s newly elect mayor and his office, upon which a majority of the waste management responsibility lies, has been continuously working towards solving the issue, however with Sisdole and Bandhara Dada locals dissatisfied, continuous use of force could worsen the problem. The situation demands a better approach which works towards inspiring the locals trust from the government.
