WASH FORUM (monthly talk program)

WASH FORUM (monthly talk program)

June Series

Talk program on“Fecal Sludge Management – Current Need for Sustainable Sanitation”

WASH Forum is monthly talk programme on issues related to WASH, Environment sanitation and Disaster. On 28^th June 2013, with the mutual effort of Paschim Paaila and Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), 23rd series of WASH Forum was successfully conducted in ENPHO hall with the facilitation of Mr. Roshan Chaulagain.

Mr. Bipin Dangol, Programme Manager, ENPHO was the key speaker of June series in which there were total 45 participants from different organizations, colleges and institutions . The main objectives of this series was to provide an opportunity for social interaction and knowledge sharing on fecal sludge management and to analyze critically the issues of current  fecal sludge for sustainable sanitation.

This topic is new in the context of Nepal. During the program he highlighted important information related to Fecal Sludge Management and Sustainable Sanitation. He also discussed about sanitation and current practice in Nepal. According to Census Report; among 100%, only 62% Household have their own toilet (Sewerage 8.3%, Ordinary toilet 19.5%, Septic tank 33.5%) and remaining 38% are without having toilet. He also presented the fact, Average volume of fecal sludge generated per year in Kathmandu valley is 76,600m3\year.

After completion of his Presentation part, floor was open for discussion. Different queries were raised and solved regarding the issues of social acceptance and space management for septic tank. On a question ‘What are the strategy plan of government to manage fecal sludge? ’, Mr. Dangol answered that Nepal Government has not made any strategy plan for fecal sludge management till now. The management of fecal sludge by promoting ECOSAN Toilet, off site sanitation was discussed in the mean time. He concluded the session with the Note“Policy is most important for sustainable sanitation”.

Meanwhile, the winner of Facebook photo Competition entitled “My effort to save environment, was announced . The winner of competition was Mr. Anish Sapkota from Bhairawa, and awarded a Token of Love, which was facilitated by Ms. Manusha Thapaliya, Media coordinator, Paschim Paaila. Also the upcoming events of Paschim Paaila were shared by Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Campaign coordinator of Paschim Paaila. At the ending, Ms. Merina Shakya, Network coordinator of Paschim Paaila appreciated the efforts of Mr. Dangol and handed over the Token of Love which was followed by group photo.
                                                                                                                 - Karuna Bhattarai