Taking waste water concern into discussion on WASH Forum

Taking waste water concern into discussion on WASH Forum

By: Phurba Sange Moktan

Problem is existed only when there is no way for solution. Likely situation is also for waste water in urban context, which was shared on WASH Forum; Last Friday’s sharing on WASH, Feb series on 24th February, 2012 among two resource persons working on the sector at ENPHO Hall, New-Baneshwor which has been conducting with the joint effort of “paschim paaila” and Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO).

Mr. Rajendra Shrestha, Program Manager, ENPHO and Mr. Ram Kumar Shrestha, Engineer, High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of Bagmati Civilization were resource persons for the event. The event was begun with the welcome remarks from Mr. Rajesh Adhikari, ENPHO. Then, the first session was led by Mr. Rajendra as key speaker. He shared the ideas related to Waste Water, Management of Waste Water and Decentralized approaches and models. “The present practices of waste water in Cities like Kathmandu are displacement but not management. Actual management will be seen only when there is treatment practices are applied.” He said.  Similarly, Second session was led by Mr. Ram as speaker. He shared his experience and field based ideas regarding Bagmati River Waste Water Treatment. He said that the waste water is treated on the plant from north part of Pashipatinath, the holy temple. “We are working to create clean, green and healthy Bagmati.” He said. Finally, the program was concluded with appreciating with tokens of love and final remarks.

Exhibiting eco-ideas on Eco-Fair

By: Merina Shakya

Food, Cloth and Shelter are considered as basic need for all living beings. But now “Healthy and Eco-friendly Environment” can also be considered as a part of basic need. Environment, as we know is being degraded day by day due to human activities. This is the time to be environmental friendly and save environment for the future generation. Inorder to allocate knowledge regarding environmental friendly materials and applications to general public, Himal Media announced the first-ever trade fair showing the environmentally friendly technologies and lifestyles at Nepal at Nepal Academy on February 11-12. 

ENPHO, “paschim paaila” and Niva Rain also took part at Eco-fair. They exhibited models of constructed Wetland, Eco-san toilet, Bio-Sand Filter, P/A Vial, working model of Rainwater harvesting, waste water treatment and Reuse. Visitors from different institutions/organizations and general public were pleased to know about the concept of Zero Waste techniques through Eco-home. They were also curious to know about Eco-San and its mechanism. Visitors were specially praising the works and showed their interest on event. “This is really new and innovative technology and we should give a try to this one” –said one of visitor after knowing about Eco-San toilet.

The exhibition was inaugurated on 10 February, 2012 by lightning the solar light instead of traditional light. More than 40 exhibitors had stalls on the fair which showed Nepal’s progress in environmentally friendly techniques.

Sharing on “Disaster and Epidemics” at School

Disaster is unexpected and destructive event that may occur any time with

less or no warning, therefore it is necessary to be prepared for such events. In order to make people aware regarding disaster, its effects and safety “paschim paaila” conducted a class at Lovely Angel English Boarding School, Faika Chowk Kapan. Class was conducted on 3^rd February 2012, for half day together with students from class 7-9.Youths from “paschim paaila” shared their knowledge on Disaster, its general types but main focus was given to the Earthquake. As for Nepal “Earthquake” is considered as major disaster, information  regarding its impact and safety measures that can be applied at Pre-event, during and Post event should be provided and shared.

Earthquake itself is a great disaster as we can never know exact time, date and place of the earthquake. Therefore, it is very important for all of us to be well prepared. Not only we but all people of the nation should be made aware about such disasters. Kathmandu valley is placed in the earthquake susceptible environs. Inhabitants of these places are aware of the threat that may be produced due to the earthquake but still they are ignoring the whole story .All these issues should be openly discussed at school level too.

In order to make the class more interactive, the class was conducted as interaction, learning & sharing session through paper presentation. We could see active involvement of student. Students showed their interest on the topic “Earthquake and epidemics” where they shared their ideas regarding these issues.The classes also helped them to boost up their information arena. They learned about the nature and the impact the earthquake, epidemic that may arises after the disaster, different safety methods applicable during the events.

Youths for initiating WASH Resource Center

Youths for initiating WASH Resource Center

By: Kamala KC

Urban poor population in Kathmandu valley is rapidly increasing which is causing environmental health risks associated with unsafe drinking water, lack of sanitation facilities, poor hygiene behavior and improper management of waste. To address these, "paschim paaila" in partnership with ENPHO and UNHABITAT has been implementing the 'WASH Led Youth Empowerment Project in two selected urban poor communities of Kathmandu Valley' in coordination with local youths and other stakeholder. As a part of this project, Youth Led WASH Resource Center was established in each community on December, 2011.

Considering the proverb by Ralph Ellison “Education is all a matter of building bridges”, it is very important that all have access and right to information. With the objective of providing knowledge and common platform for learning and sharing center on water, sanitation and hygiene for Youths, Children and community people, WASH Resource Centre was established with active leadership of Chayasal Youth Club (CYC) and Pathivara Nava Yuwa Club (PNYC) at Shramik Shanti Higher Secondary School (SSHSS) and Pathivara Primary School (PPS) respectively.

Community WASH Resource Centers are playing vital roles for the exploration of the knowledge on the issues related to the WASH.  The School Children and the community people are utilizing their free time by studying the literature, researches and other information regarding the WASH issues. “Youths who are highly eager in working for the sensitization on the Water, sanitation and Health and in search for enhancing the knowledge get good platform” said by Miss Sunjina Byanjankar, Youth from Chayasal Yuwa Red Cross Circle. All community people, school teachers and children were highly welcoming this initiative of local youths. “We all teachers and students are really inspire by this good initiative” said by Mr. Shyam Lal Byanjankar, Principle of SSHSS. “I believe that all our students and community people get more knowledge through this resource Centre and will contribute in the sector of WASH and environment” he added.