KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is preparing to introduce a financial partnership with neighbouring local governments to help extend the lifespan and sustainability of the Banchare Danda landfill site.
Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol said the metropolitan city is implementing measures to reduce the volume of waste reaching the landfill by promoting waste segregation at the source.
Dangol said KMC spends nearly Rs 1 billion annually on landfill operations and infrastructure as well as social development programmes in and around the landfill site.
She added that the metropolitan city has prioritised source segregation of waste in different parts of the city to reduce the amount of garbage transported to Banchare Danda.
KMC expects neighbouring local governments to contribute financially based on the volume of waste they send to the landfill. The metropolitan city said the proposed partnership would encourage local governments to take greater ownership of waste management.
According to Dangol, KMC is prepared to bear around 50 percent of the financial responsibility, as it generates the largest share of waste among local governments using the landfill.
The proposed initiative also focuses on promoting waste segregation, reuse and recycling to increase the landfill site’s operational lifespan.
Currently, waste generated by local governments in the Kathmandu Valley, as well as Kavrepalanchok, Nuwakot and Dhading districts, is disposed of at the Banchare Danda landfill.
KMC said discussions have also been held with officials from the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and the Department of Environment Management on technologies and measures that could improve waste management and extend the landfill site’s lifespan.
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