'Okharpauwa stench manageable'

By A Staff Reporter Kathmandu, June 9: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) has pointed out the problem of environmental pollution at the landfill site in Okharpauwa.

This is the third study carried out by the academy. Earlier, on January 28, 2020, it had submitted its report on the environmental impact assessment at the Sisdole landfill Site to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).

The study incorporated topics like the status of the surface and groundwater, leach and its impact on the land and water, the impact of odor around the landfill site, the condition of gas emanating from the landfill site and the impact these have on the environment and local living.

“The recent study has measured the odor of the landfill site. We went to the top of the site and measured the odor on the east, west, central and southern part using an electrometer,” said senior Scientist of NAST Dr. Bhojraj Panta.

“There is a strong odor of garbage on the eastern side of the landfill.  Elsewhere, the smell of methane gas was stronger than that of garbage. Similarly, there are less odors on the southern side of the road.” The air flow also impacts the smell of odor, he said.

According to Dr. Panta, since there was no vent to bring out methane gas from inside the landfill, a huge amount of methane gas was accumulated inside.

It should be drilled and brought out, he said, adding “To manage the overflow of the methane gas, it can be distributed to the neighbouring villages for cooking purposes.”

The study should be done to understand the amount of methane gas, the amount of gas that could be extracted and the way of distribution, said Dr. Panta.

The previous report identifies 10 places around the Sisdole landfill site as the most affected, 10 as affected and four as the least affected due to the landfill site.

As per the report, Tallo Siundini (the upper part of landfill site), Soti Baluwa, Mangol Tole 1 and 2, and Panchmuri Tole which are parts of the Kakani Rural Municipality in Nuwakot are the most affected areas.

Similarly, Sinkhada village, Tilkhoriya and Kolpu Khalo 1 and 2 in Dhunibesi Municipality of Dhading and Khilabuta of Tarakeshwor Municipality, Kathmandu have been identified as hardest-hit areas.

Likewise, eight sites in Kakani and two in Dhunibesi have been identified as the affected areas while Kagati Gaun Health Post, Siundini Tanki Danda, Swana Gaun and Katunje Gaun remain the less affected sites.

Kagati Gaun Health Post and Siundini Tanki Danda follow the list of less affected sites which also includes Swana Gaun and Katunje Gaun in Dhunibesi.

KMC Mayor Balendra Shah said, "For site proper management of the landfill, the study will be done on the areas like water and soil along with odor.”

A team comprising Dr. Rabindra Dhakal, Dr. Tista Prasain Joshi, Dr. Saurabh Bhattarai, Anita Panthi and Sunita Shrestha has conducted a preliminary study.

Indicating the preliminary report of NAST, Mayor Shah said, "Preliminary study has been done by collecting water samples from three different points, including the place ahead of leachate-mixed area, leachate-mixed area and at the 920 meters from the leachate-mixed area.

The study shows that large amounts of leachate are found in the water up to 1 km from the water source and this has adversely affected aquatic animals.

Mayor Shah said that short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions would be figure out after the final report on water pollution and leachate would be submitted.

Likewise, the team also revealed the amount of chemicals required to treat odors from garbage. The preparations have been done to start the preliminary work within three days.

Earlier, Mayor Shah during his visit to Sisdole, had assured that the KMC, in cooperation with federal governments, will find out the long-term solution to the problem. The locals of landfill have asked the mayor to relieve them of garbage smell.