WASH Forum: Present situation of DEWATS and FSM in some of Asian and Asia Pacific countries

WASH Forum: Present situation of DEWATS and FSM in some of Asian and Asia Pacific countries

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO successfully conducted 29^th series of WASH Forum, an interaction program entitled, “Present situation of Decentralized Waste Water Treatment System (DEWATS) and Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) in some of Asian and Asia Pacific countries” on 25^th April, 2014 at ENPHO Hall, Thapagaun, Kathmandu. 

Dr. Saroj Kumar Chapagain, Senior Research Engineer at Environmental Engineering and Management School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand was the key speaker during the program. The main objective of the program was to share and know about DEWATS and FSM in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. Altogether, 35 youths from different organizations, institutions and different youth networks actively participated in the discussion program.

Mr. Roshan Chaulagain, Advocacy Coordinator of Paschim Paaila introduced about WASH Forum highlighting its objectives which was then followed by the welcome speech by Dr. Suman K. Shakya, Executive Director of ENPHO. Dr. Shakya shared, “This kind of interaction program play vital role for advocacy and for sensitizing youths on the issues. This forum is the platform for the youths.” Meanwhile, Mr. Bipin Dangol, Program Manager of ENPHO introduced the resource person and further highlighted the importance and necessity of DEWATS and FSM for developing countries like Nepal.  

Dr. Chapagain, shared the methodologies and current practices of the management of feacal sludge in Asian countries through decentralized wastewater treatment system. Dr. Chapagain mainly focused on onsite sanitation and its technologies prevalent in Thailand. The program was very interactive and new technologies were introduced to the participants. “At present there is no National policy for sewerage management in Nepal so feacal sludge management is the most challenging task for advocating at National level and for implementing as well.” informed by Mr. Dangol.

Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila delivered vote of thanks to the resource person and to the participants and finally concluded the program by appreciating the resource person by token of love.