- Sobina Lama
DRR Program Manager, Lumanti
 

Hamro Sahar, Ramro Sahar is a catchy slogan that we have been hearing for a long time.  As a citizen of this country this is our own responsibility to make it clean and green which is now becoming a dream for us.  Along with the good development initiatives there are many activities that is making negative impact in the environment things such as excessive use of plastics, maximum production of waste as well without proper management. Many urban centers in country are struggling to mange the waste in an eco friendly manner.  There are several organizations which are making efforts to find possible solutions in managing waste. 
 

A 2012 report of ADB on "Solid Waste Management in Nepal, current status and policy recommendation” mentions that the average municipal solid waste generation was 317 grams per capita per day. This translates into 1,435 tons per day or 524,000 tons per year of municipal solid waste generation in Nepal.  Present situation is even getting worst since 2012 as now we have 293 urban centers (Municipalities) which would be double or triple of waste production.   A questions arises do we have any calculation for it! Do we have any plan for it!  We all are struggling hard for workable solutions!
 

We have seen and realized problem is there, for which many efforts through different institutions, individuals, and groups have been carried out as well. The ADB report also makes recommendations for formulation of appropriate policy and strategic framework to guide local governments for effective management of 3R (Reduce, Reuse & Recycle).  This 3R need to be promoted that also has great potential for resource recovery in Nepal through various levels of consultations, capacity strengthening, PPP model and also effective monitoring mechanism. 
 

As a part of the promotion of 3R at the local level, an initiation made by the women’s group in Butwal is worth mentioning for learning lessons and upscaling the activities.  An active group of ward no 3 Butwal Sub Metropolitan City, Naag Mandir Ama Samuha have initiated action to prove in society that they cares about an environment and can contribute managing waste. This women’s group   received small fund from ward office to organize a training to sew cloth bags for shopping.  Five days training built their confidence and brought enthusiasm to make worthy contribution in managing waste. They started producing cloth shopping bags and made it available at the shopping centres.  This way they created livelihood opportunities for few women by engaging them in sewing bags and replaced plastic bags reducing the use of plastics in the city.  This activity contributed the city to declare plastic free campaign in last Asadh.   
 

Butwal Sub Metropolitan City Council has made decision to organize ward level skill development training and to ensure the marketing of the training products.  Women’s group is encouraged to produce bags to support the campaign of the municipality. 

During the training the women member of ward no 3 Ms Saraswati Kunwar expressed "Naag Mandir women group is the active among all the groups exists here in Butwal whose work is impressive always.  I am always with them for any support they required.  Besides they are supporting our plastic free municipality campaign through this initiation which is commendable” She is a motivating person for them who are keen to provide support in any possible ways. 
 

Twenty two trained women members of group have started their production already.  They are aiming for massive production of bags and to market it in Butwal and nearby other cities as well. Recently, they have also received 3 days entrepreneurship training and developed their business plan with the support of Lumanti's Community Resilience Fund (CRF) project.  
 

Women group would not say its only the bag production but reducing the habit of using plastic bags contributing in reducing the generation of plastic waste.  They mobilized themselves in their own ward first to promote and make people aware on not using plastic bag by visiting each houses and by push sale of bags. Similarly, they have also approached in markets such as vegetable market, Bhatbhateni Shopping Center and other small shops for the promotion of the sale and use of cloth bag.  Ms Durga Pandey, a chair of group emphasized "we have moved forward now and committed too for this action be happened.  We are supporting for livelihood of women members as well as to contribute in the campaign of plastic free municipality which we believe we will make it a success.  We have our business plan as well.  We are seeking the same support and encouragement from our local authority as well which we are getting too." 
 

When we talk about solid waste management it doesn’t necessarily mean to start a big and in huge scale but the small actions initiated by community women group is good action itself.  We need to provide support and encourage them. So, even if in small numbers a group initiation could make changes in habit of using cloth bags at least for shopping.  Though it’s a small but beautiful action that women have initiated which is highly commendable. 
 

Butwal Naagmandir women group is established in BS 2064 which has 72 members.  They are active in ward level to organize women and building networking of women groups.  For a long time they have been implementating community level activities in partnerships with local government including skill development training, cleaning campaign and awareness programs.  Through this initiation they have linking to ensure livelihood of women members as well.  Recently they have developed their business plan.  The plan is to invest Rs. 1, 50,000/-, monthly production: 3000Pcs of bags, sale will be Rs 60/- per bag and expected profit earning Rs 70,000/- per month.  After seeing this enthusiasm of women group they would definitely be successful and at the same time support in creating environment friendly city that is also making effort in managing plastic waste – A clean and Green BUTWAL. 

(This article is incorporated in a special bulletin published by Ministry of Urban Development, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, on the occasion of World Habitat Day 2018)