Kathmandu Valley Mayors Forum Chairman Chiribabu Maharjan Calls for Federal Government Leadership in Waste Management

Kathmandu. Chairman of the Kathmandu Valley Mayors Forum and Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Chiribabu Maharjan, has stated that the federal government must take the lead in finding a long-term solution to waste management in the valley. Speaking at a press conference organized by the Forum on Tuesday, he clarified that local governments alone cannot manage the waste in the valley. Maharjan said that the federal government should conduct scientific studies and research to bring a waste management plan, and local levels are ready to bear the cost of implementing that plan. Although the constitution and the Local Government Operation Act, 2074, assign the responsibility of waste management to local levels, he stated that it is not practical for the 18 local levels in the Kathmandu Valley to operate separate waste processing centers. Maharjan said, 'The constitution and the Local Government Operation Act, 2074, have given the responsibility of waste management to local levels. But there are 18 municipalities within the Kathmandu Valley, what would happen if each municipality built its own waste processing center?' He further added, 'This is not a possible thing, it is very difficult. That's why in 2062 BS, the Government of Nepal had arranged for waste management in Sisdol for the then seven municipalities.' He claimed that the problem has arisen due to the federal government's inability to manage it efficiently. The local levels have faced additional legal complications because the agreement on waste management between the government and Nepwaste and Finis companies has not yet been implemented. Speaking about the agreement, he said, 'The Government of Nepal has an agreement with Finis Company and Nepwaste. According to this agreement, private companies will manage the waste within the Kathmandu Valley, but this has not been implemented yet.' He complained that it is legally not permissible for any municipality to say they will manage waste separately while the agreement is in effect, and that lawsuits are being filed when purchasing equipment or tendering. He said that the government must immediately decide whether to implement or scrap this agreement, and only then can the municipalities manage their own waste. He also informed that local levels are facing difficulties due to problems with land ownership and possession, and the long process required to use government land. Acknowledging that local residents are affected by the waste in Sisdol and Banchare Danda, he said that waste and people cannot be kept in the same place. Expressing his views on settlement management, Maharjan said, 'The federal government must take all the initial ownership. If the federal government takes ownership and works on this, it may take some time, but we will reach certainty.' Expressing sorrow over the harassment of residents in the affected areas, he emphasized the need for further study and alternative management for the relocation of settlements. He stated that the waste problem can only be solved through the cooperation between all the municipalities in the valley and the federal government, and that the Prime Minister should take decisive initiative.