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. 

Accomplishment of JWF Fund Project at Baluwa Secondary School, Kavre

Accomplishment of JWF Fund Project

Child Friendly Handwashing Platform

Paschim Paaila with the support of Japan Water Forum (JWF) Fund- 2013 and in collaboration with ENPHO accomplished the construction of Bio-Sand Filter, Child friendly hand washing platform and providing the training on menstrual hygiene management and making homemade sanitary pad at Shree Baluwa Secondary School, Baluwapati- 4 VDC, Kavre.

Shree Baluwa Secondary School, Kavre

The major objective of the project was to improve the health condition of school students and to decrease absenteeism of girl students.

1000 Liters Bio-Sand Filter

A Bio-sand filter (BSF) of capacity 750 liters with 1000 liters of reserve tank and collection tank were installed to provide access to safe drinking water to the students.  Training on proper maintenance of BSF was provided to the members of school management committee, school administration and students of the school on 13^th March, 2014. Likewise, School WASH campaign was conducted among 125 students and a WASH Circle of 7 members were formed. 

VDC Secretary giving Speech along with Network Coordinator

The handover program was organized on 30^th March, 2014. Mr. Mukunda Prasad Gajurel, Secretary of Baluwapati VDC, Kavre was as the chief guest. He highlighted on the importance of proper maintenance of the filter installed and requested all for the continuity of the support for its regular maintenance. 

Glimpse on S-WASH Campaign

Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila/ENPHO emphasized on further responsibility of School management committee and students on sustainable operation of filter installed and hand washing platform constructed. Mr. Krishna Bahadur Tamang, Chairperson of Baluwa School management committee further committed on trying their level best for the sustainable operation of the filter and the handwashing platform. 

WASH Forum March Series "Bagmati Movement: River festival to cleaning mega campaign"

Bagmati Movement: River festival to cleaning mega campaign

Group Photo on WASH Forum

Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO organized its 28^th series of WASH forum on ‘Bagmati Movement: River festival to cleaning mega campaign’ on 28^th March, 2014 at ENPHO Hall, Thapagaun. The objective of the discussion program was to share Bagmati movement as cleaning campaign and to highlight the role of youth towards environment conservation through such initiatives. Mr. Mausam Khanal, Executive Director of Nepal River Conservation Trust was the key speaker for this interaction program. Total 25 participants from different organizations, colleges and institution actively participated in the program.

Mr. Mausham Khanal on WASH Forum

Winner of Facebook Photo Competition Mr. Naresh Kusi

Winning Photo: “No fish, No dish: The livelihood
base of the Bhote community in the
 lowland Tarai rests almost entirely on fishing.
This little girl from Amaltari, Nawalparasi,
 has to get busy searching for fish with her family
 early in the morning. The rivers harbor
 fish and they depend on them for their living.
 Water is the foundation on which they sustain their life”

Mr. Roshan Chaulagain, Advocacy Coordinator of Paschim Paaila briefly introduced about WASH Forum and highlighted the program objective which was then followed by the welcome speech from Ms. Padmaja Shrestha, Senior Program Manager at ENPHO where she briefed the activities that ENPHO has been conducting including water quality monitoring and analysis of Bagmati River since 2011.

During the program, Mr. Mausam Khanal shared about the mega cleaning campaign which started from the early initiation of river festival in 2001. Mr. Khanal emphasized on the need for the conservation of Bagmati river, as it has high cultural value and also spiritual and emotional significance to Nepali people. The program formulated discussion on major problems for Bagmati being polluted, the initiations taken till date and the achievements gained and the activities to be undertaken in the future.

Mr. Naresh Kusi was announced the winner of the facebook photo competition which was organized during World Water Week 2014 on the theme ‘Water for Life’. Mr. Kusi was awarded with certificate during the program. 

Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila delivered vote of thanks to the resource person and to the active participants. Finally, the program concluded by appreciating the resource person with Token of love followed by feedback collection and a group photo.