Lumanti | News & Events

Sub Metropolitan sees its first ODF ward

With an aim to have an Open Defecation Free (ODF) district by the end of 2015, Biratnagar Sub-metropolitan City (BSMC) of Morang District has witnessed its first ward level Open Defecation Free (ODF) declaration. Ward no. 7 in Biratnagar Sub-metropolitan City is among the 22 wards and has been the first to be declared as Open Defecation Free Ward. On 6th of March, 2013, BSMC in support of Water Aid Nepal, Lumanti Support Group for Shelter and in coordination with ODF Declaration Committee Ward no. 7 organized a declaration event in Ward Committee office, Ward no. 7.

The Chief Guest of the event Local Development Officer of Morang District Mr. Shivraj Pokhrel in his remarks expressed his heartfelt thanks and wishes to all other organizations and stakeholders who contributed in the goal of achieving Total Sanitation in this ward. He stressed in replicating this into other wards of the sub-metropolitan so that soon the City level ODF can be declared. He strictly informed all that the sustainability of the ODF will be monitored through various mechanisms and that anyone violating it would be penalized and punished.

Other dignitaries were Programme Manager-Urban of Water Aid Nepal Sarbagya Shrestha, Executive Director of Lumanti Support Group for Shelter Lajana Manandhar, President of Citizen Forum Biratnagar, Mohan Bhattarai and other dignitaries representing different organization along with media houses.

The Ward WASH-CC bagged away cash prize of Rs. 2,00,000/- for being the first ward to declare ODF in the Sub Metropolitan City.

The ODF declaration in ward no. 7 has benefitted 2049 households, which has 3047 families. The total population of this ward is 16,337 in which 8311 are male and 7926 are female.