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Kailali : Until a few months ago, Godawari Municipality in Kailali struggled to manage waste generated from its market areas. Streams, rivers, and nearby forests were becoming polluted, and piles of garbage lined the roadside, spreading foul smells as far as Attariya Bazaar.
But since the Integrated Waste Management Center came into operation last Saun, the problem has been permanently resolved-bringing remarkable ease to the lives of local residents.
For Tara Kumari Tomata of Ward No. 3, managing household waste used to be a daily worry. She did not separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. Instead, she packed everything in a sack and walked to nearby streams or forests to dispose of it.
Now, with the operation of the waste management center, that burden is gone. She no longer has to walk in search of dumping spots-municipal tractors arrive at her doorstep twice a week to collect waste.
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Tomata says forests and waterways have become cleaner since the center began operations.
“They collect our waste directly from home. The streams are cleaner now, and we also save time,” she said. However, she pays Rs. 100 monthly to the municipality for the service.
Similar to her, local resident Dawal Bahadur Saud of Attariya in Ward No. 2 says pollution has decreased significantly. Earlier, contractors handling municipal waste used to dump collected garbage under bridges, along riverbanks, or inside forests.
The new center was built under the Regional Urban Development Project with loan support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Municipal tractors now collect waste two to three times a week from Attariya Bazaar area. Streets, streams, and forests that once reeked of garbage have visibly improved.
Saud says, “These days, waste is hardly seen anywhere. Locals have become more aware and have stopped dumping garbage haphazardly.”
The center not only collects municipal waste but also teaches locals how to segregate waste and manage recyclable materials properly.
Built Under ADB Support
The landfill site in Malalekhet, Godawari–3, was not constructed by the municipality itself. It was built under the Regional Urban Development Project with ADB loan investment.
A contract agreement had been signed with Sichuan Province Geologic Engineering Company of China.
The contract was awarded in Ashoj 2079, and the construction company completed the project within the contract period. The center, built with an ADB investment of Rs. 516.9 million, stands in Chaikidanda Community Forest with modern infrastructure.
ADB financed 90% of the land acquisition cost, while the municipality invested the remaining 10%.
According to Deputy Mayor Sharda Rokaya, environmental impact assessment and coordination with the community forest ensured smooth construction with no disputes.
Environmental Engineer Rikesh Shrestha from the Regional Urban Development Project, Dhangadhi, said the center has been operational since Saun. The operation contract is currently held by Matribhumi Sanrakshan Pvt. Ltd.
At the center, biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and glass waste are managed separately. Biodegradable waste is turned into compost, while recyclable and non-degradable waste is stored for sale.
However, Engineer Shrestha says recycling is affected because households and hotels do not segregate waste properly.
Not Yet Handed Over to Municipality
Even though the center has begun operations, it has not yet been handed over to Godawari Municipality. The contractor continues operating under the project’s supervision. The agreement allows the contractor to run the center for three years.
“We expect three years of contractor-led operation under project supervision will help establish a model system. This will make it easier for the municipality later,” Shrestha said.
They also plan to train eight municipal staff and introduce revenue-generation concepts before handing over the facility.
The center can process 13 metric tons of solid waste and 13 cubic meters of faecal sludge daily. At present, it manages around 13.67 tons of waste each day.
Deputy Mayor Rokaya says this modern facility will help Godawari manage its waste for many years.
“In a rapidly urbanizing area, waste management is a major challenge. This center is a great support in addressing these issues,” she said.
Infrastructure and Challenges
A 2.5-kilometer access road leads to the center, where collected waste is segregated. Biodegradable waste is used to produce compost, while recyclable materials are sold to scrap dealers. This is expected to reduce environmental pollution and support local farmers with organic fertilizers.
However, there is a shortage of waste management workers. According to municipal supervisor Purple Kunwar, locals still consider waste-handling jobs as low-status work, which discourages people from taking the job.
“Keeping a city clean by removing waste is actually a high-level responsibility, but people do not understand this,” Kunwar said.
The center also receives complaints from hospitals, as it cannot manage medical waste. Hospitals are supposed to sterilize their waste using autoclaves before handing it over, but not all have the required equipment, creating challenges.
Potential Revenue from Waste
Although the center can generate revenue from compost and recycling, it has not yet been able to do so effectively. Engineer Shrestha attributes this to low awareness among locals.
“Farmers rarely use compost. They prefer chemical fertilizers like urea because it shows quicker results,” he said. Awareness programs need to be expanded, he added. The project, together with elected representatives, schools, and ward offices, is conducting awareness campaigns on waste segregation and recycling.
The Godawari Integrated Waste Management Center aims to keep the city clean while generating income from compost production and recycling.
Though challenges remain, project oversight, contractor management, and cooperation from the municipality are gradually turning the facility into a sustainable and exemplary model for urban waste management.
