While a clear connection exists between waste and energy, the idea of "waste to energy" is still seen as a lesser approach in Nepal. Just the organic waste could supply gas to over 1,000 households in the Kathmandu Valley
The environmental problems facing our planet worsen with each passing day, leading to profound and often irreversible damage to ecosystems and communities. One pressing question arises: Will the situation improve with only minimal effort from government authorities? Moreover, can the tree plantation programmes initiated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Nepal bring about substantial and lasting change?
Regrettably, the answer to these questions is a resounding no. Current initiatives lack the necessary scale and support from the government, which means they are unlikely to have the desired impact on reversing environmental degradation. If the pace of these efforts continues as it stands, we can expect the situation to deteriorate further, leading to even greater challenges for future generations.
As David Naguib Pellow rightfully mentions in "What is Critical Environment Justice?",the harm suffered by the ecosystem is closely linked to the harm experienced by the most marginalised communities across the planet. These people often experience exclusion and discrimination due to imbalances of power and are often disproportionally affected by environmental hazards and injustices. These injustices are often linked to individuals' socioeconomic status, as they frequently experience low socioeconomic conditions and have limited access to resources.In the early 1980s, the Environmental Justice Movement began in North Carolina, USA, in response to a local dispute over the dumping of toxic waste near a neighbourhood predominantly inhabited by African American residents.
As citizens of Nepal, every individual is entitled to live in a just and equitable environment. Unfortunately, this idea has not been realised by the many families living near the Sisdol landfill site. These residents face serious challenges, including hazardous living conditions, insufficient access to clean water and health risks associated with toxic waste. Their problems extend beyond health issues, resulting in significant socio-cultural challenges as well. The ongoing neglect of their plight highlights the urgent need for systemic reform and justice, ensuring that every citizen can enjoy the fundamental rights to safety and dignity in their living environment.
Since its inception in 2005, the Sisdol landfill has faced numerous challenges, yet the government has persistently ignored the difficulties experienced by residents in their everyday lives and survival. Initially, the landfill was meant to operate under a temporary contract for only three years. However, despite many complaints from the community, it continues to operate long past that timeframe. People claim that the odour hits you before you even see the site. By 2022, it was estimated that over 75 per cent of the waste was directed to the Sisdol landfill, with more than 200 trucks visiting daily.
Although several commitments were made by the government in the first year, they have clearly not been fulfilled. Trucks laden with garbage navigate the narrow, unpaved roads while bulldozers are stationed nearby to manage the frequent landslides. The leachate from the landfill flows directly into the adjacent Kolpu River as swarms of flies, eagles and vultures hover above the waste. There is a stark difference between this heap of refuse and the beautiful, peaceful forests and green terraced fields that surround it. For the residents of Sisdol and nearby villages, the unpleasant smell has been a constant issue for nearly two decades. With the new landfill located just 2 kilometers away in Banchare Danda, they are worried that their health and livelihoods will continue to suffer due to the waste generated by Kathmandu.
As per the report, in 2005, the Sisdol Old Landfill Phase 1 began as a pilot project for the CKV (Clean Kathmandu Valley) Study using a semi-aerobic landfill method. This was followed by the Aletar Old Landfill and Sisdol Old Landfill Phase 2. Delays at the Banchare Danda landfill caused the Sisdol Old Landfill to exceed its waste capacity.
The swift increase in population, urban growth and heightened economic activities in the Kathmandu Valley have resulted in considerable challenges in various sectors, especially concerning solid waste management and energy shortages. While a clear connection exists between waste and energy, the idea of "waste to energy" is still seen as a lesser approach in Nepal. The Kathmandu Valley produces around 766 tons of solid waste daily.
Studies suggest that there are possibilities for transforming this solid waste into energy. Even if just the organic waste is processed, it could generate sufficient energy to supply over 1,000 households in the Kathmandu Valley. Elements such as the amount of waste, its thermal content and the necessity for extra energy supplies, along with government and user support, offer potential solutions to the issues related to solid waste and energy provision in the area. Methane gas ranks as one of the primary greenhouse gases, possessing a global warming potential that is 28 times higher than that of carbon dioxide. Landfills, which are commonly used for municipal waste disposal, represent one of the major sources of human-caused methane emissions. Besides being a significant greenhouse gas, methane also serves as an important alternative energy source, given its high energy production potential.
The coexistence of garbage and a healthy human environment is impossible. Struggling with the negative impacts of waste accumulation, these individuals have been vocal in their quest for justice and improved living conditions. Their hopes have been reinvigorated with the establishment of the new landfill site in Banchare Danda. The community looks forward to the positive changes this new site will bring.
Yashaswi K.C. works with the NFSJ
