Ramechhap, January 20

Construction of a dumping site to manage the garbage collected from Manthali bazaar in Ramechhap has been in limbo due to obstruction from locals.

Long after Manthali gained the status of municipality, the project has failed to make any headway though construction work started about ten years ago.

So far, five committees have been formed to identify a proper location for the dumping site. The location, however, is yet to be fixed.

The search for a suitable dumping site had started about ten year ago with the initiative of then Local Development Officer Uddhav Timalsena.

Though a plan was envisioned and construction had begun near Bandre forest in the north of Manthali, but work had to be halted due to opposition from locals.

Later, a site between Kamarbot and Soti was identified as an alternative site to develop the facility, but to no avail.

The attempts made with the initiative of Manthali VDC former chairperson Dhrub Karki also failed after locals protested against the project.

Another study committee was formed to find a proper location for the dumping site. Though the committee identified many locations for the site, no work has started as of yet.

“We cannot do anything as every time a location is fixed, the locals start protesting,” said Civil Network Ramechhap coordinator Ramchandra Biyogi.

“A number of places, including Sokajor Khola, Kunauri, Hattitar, Salukepakha, Bhatauli, Badhimuhan and Tilechaur were identified as suitable locations over the years, but work could not start due to protests,” he said

According Manthali Municipality Executive Officer Pradip Poudel, his office is trying to find a suitable location for construction of the dumping site on the basis of suggestions.

“Earlier, the municipality had started a discussion with locals and stakeholders, and now we are trying to find a proper place on the basis of suggestions we received during discussion,” he said.

The municipality has also formed a site selection committee under the coordination of Nepali Congress leader Purna Subedi.

As of now, the municipality is dumping garbage produced on the banks of the local Ranajor Khola.

However, during monsoon, the garbage is dumped somewhere near the bazaar area, adding to pollution in the area.