Why Bancharedanda's obstruction recurs and what the new deal signifies

Kathmandu, November 22 -- Waste collection in Kathmandu Valley and certain areas of Kavrepalanchok district has restarted following an 11-po...

Kathmandu, November 22 -- Waste collection in Kathmandu Valley and certain areas of Kavrepalanchok district has restarted following an 11-point agreement reached on Thursday night between officials and residents from Nuwakot and Dhading districts, who had been obstructing entry to the Bancharedanda dumpsite.

The issue of waste management in the Valley has persisted for more than 20 years. Previously, residents near the landfill site blocked waste disposal as a way to exert pressure on officials to meet their demands related to development initiatives, land acquisition impacted by the landfill, compensation, and healthcare services.

The demonstrations had mostly died down after Kathmandu's mayor, Balendra Shah, pledged to uphold earlier agreements made with demonstrators and tackle their new issues after winning the election in 2022.

Waste disposal blockages have started again in the past three weeks.

Here is everything you need to be aware of regarding the most recent hindrance and the deal finalized with the protesting residents.

New barrier in garbage management

Demanding the government to fulfill an 18-point pact signed approximately three years back, residents from areas impacted by the landfill, beginning on October 29, prevented garbage-carrying trucks from approaching the landfill location.

This time, the chairpersons of eight affected wards personally went to the streets to prevent garbage trucks from passing. The obstruction caused a halt in door-to-door garbage collection in Kathmandu for approximately four days.

The Kathmandu municipality urged citizens to avoid littering garbage in the streets.

On November 2, Minister of Urban Development Kulman Ghising promised to drop charges against local young people accused of damaging garbage trucks and to meet other requests within 15 days—in an effort to convince residents to stop the blockage. As requested, Ghising personally went to the impacted regions on November 2 and had talks with the protesters.

However, when their requests were ignored, they restarted the blockage on Wednesday.

Ghising personally took action to remove the obstruction on Wednesday and Thursday, and facilitated an 11-point agreement, which has temporarily put an end to the blockade.

Old and new agreements

The 18-point accord finalized three years back involved the purchase of land impacted by the landfill. It was decided that the government would buy the 1.5 sq km region near the landfill site by paying compensation to the owners.

The new deal announced on Thursday also involves expediting the environmental impact evaluation for land acquisition.

Remedies for previous damage caused by waste, enhancing healthcare services and facilities in impacted regions, providing medications and medical professionals, reinforcing school infrastructure, conducting development projects, and repairing roads are some of the ongoing matters featured in each agreement.

This time, the KMC has agreed to increase annual grants given to two local units—from Rs30 million to Rs60 million.

The main focus of both the 18-point and 11-point agreements is the promise to drop charges against two individuals accused of damaging garbage trucks and heavy machinery involved in waste management in August 2022.

"They have assured us that the cases will be dropped right away and our other requests fulfilled as soon as possible," said Nirajan Sanjel, a local inhabitant from the impacted region of Dhunibeshi Rural Municipality in Dhading district.

Sanjel is among those charged with damaging waste collection vehicles.

Officials from KMC on new obstruction

Officials from the KMC's environmental department stated that the new obstruction was initiated by two young individuals, against whom criminal cases have been filed for damaging garbage trucks and other vehicles.

They claimed that residents blocked waste disposal at Bancharedanda when the landfill first started operating about three years ago, making several demands. Some young people damaged 18 vehicles, including the city's bulldozers, excavators, and garbage trucks. The KMC has filed cases against some of those involved in the incident.

A young person against whom criminal charges were filed recently returned to Nepal from Malta," said Uddhab Nepal, the site in-charge of the Bancharedanda landfill. "Upon realizing he couldn't go back to Malta without the case being dropped, he incited the locals and caused disruptions.

23 local communities dispose of garbage in Bancharedanda

In addition to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, 22 other local units—all located in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, as well as the municipalities of Banepa, Dhulikhel, and Mandan Deupur in Kavrepalanchok—dispose of their waste at Bancharedanda. More than 200 garbage trucks deliver waste daily.

If there is a blockage at the landfill location, the collection and disposal of waste from all 23 local units are impacted.

As per a KMC estimate, the 18 local units within the Kathmandu Valley produce more than 1,200 metric tons of solid waste every day. Half of this amount comes from KMC alone.

KMC representatives mentioned that although 22 additional local authorities also utilize the landfill area, KMC is required to respond to community requests during each demonstration.

Residents claim blocking waste management is not an option

Amrit Lama, a resident of Digaun, the village hardest hit in Dhunibeshi Rural Municipality, has taken a room at Banasthali Kathmandu, as his family has been effectively displaced due to the waste site. Lama's house is located within 100 meters of the landfill.

Preventing waste disposal is not our decision," said Lama. "We are forced to endure the smell constantly, sleep with masks on, and constantly witness heaps of garbage.

As reported by other residents, flies, crows, hawks, stray dogs, and jackals from the waste disposal area have rendered the village uninhabitable. Agricultural land has been harmed by leachate seeping from the site, and animals have perished after consuming polluted water.

"Nobody is interested in purchasing our land, and we are unable to use it as collateral at the bank," laments Lama.

Changed political context

This time, elected officials from the impacted regions supported the protesting residents. KMC authorities state that local representatives participated in and endorsed the demonstration because they were chosen by local voters and need to take into account their political future.

Authorities mention that previously, local politicians would prevent residents from interfering with waste management since they were part of the same parties leading the government. However, the situation has changed now, following the establishment of a non-partisan interim government after the Gen Z uprising that removed the UML-Congress coalition in September.

It's well known that politics plays a role in waste management in Nepal," stated a KMC official, who wished to remain anonymous as they are not permitted to discuss political issues. "Shifts in national politics certainly have an impact on various matters, including waste disposal.