Kathmandu, December 17

Minister for Health Gagan Thapa stressed on the importance of an integrated plan for effective management of solid waste in the Valley.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of Solid Waste Management Association Nepal in Kathmandu today, Minister Thapa said effective management of solid waste in Kathmandu Valley would not be possible unless the Valley was developed as a single unit.

Thapa opined that the increment in solid waste was largely due to ongoing road expansion as well as the increasing number of vehicles.

During the course of the meeting, lawmaker Rameshwor Phuyal said the government should announce date for civic elections soon. Another lawmaker Bimsen Das Pradhan, pitching for the rights of the Madhesi community, said the genuine demands raised by the disgruntled Madhesh-centric political parties must not be ignored and addressed accordingly.

In response, Gangadhar Gautam, Division Chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Environment Department, shared that new rules had been introduced to control pollution in the Valley.

Tikaram Dahal, the association’s president, said action would be taken against those found dumping garbage in public places as per the Solid Waste Management Act 2011.