Musikot locals protest garbage disposal at Satipole

BY RAJU LAMICHHANE,Rukum West, Jan. 9: Locals have protested against the Musikot Municipality for dumping waste on land allocated for the construction of a bus park at Satipole in Ward No. 2 of Rukum West. They have also imposed a ban on further dumping at the site, pointing out rising pollution in the village despite repeated assurances from the municipality.

Local Ramesh Khadka stated that the land was initially allocated to the municipality for the construction of a bus park; however, the area had been used as a dumping site for a long time. He said residents had been dissatisfied from the beginning after the vacant land, located in the middle of the village, started being used as a dumping ground. According to locals, the municipality has been disposing of waste at the site for the past 13 years. They complain that despite repeated obstructions, the municipality keeps delaying action by claiming that waste management work is underway at another location.

Another local, Nar Bahadur Oli, said that the long-term dumping and burning of waste from Khalanga bazaar and surrounding areas had adverse effects on residents’ health. He said the municipality continued dumping waste by repeatedly giving assurances, but locals had now stopped the practice. Oli stressed that the land should be used only for the purpose for which it was provided.

Residents said several neighbourhoods in the ward have become almost uninhabitable due to the dumping. They complained about foul odour spreading across the village and toxic smoke covering the area when waste is burned. Khadka added that people have started experiencing various health problems.

Saying they would not allow dumping at the site under any circumstances, locals turned back a tipper carrying waste. However, residents became further angered after accusing the municipality of dumping and burning waste at night. They have since blocked the road leading to the dumping site using a bulldozer.

Musikot Municipality said a dumping site is under construction at Nipane in Ward No. 1 and that Satipole is being used as an alternative until the work is completed. Deputy Mayor Bimal Kumar Pun said waste disposal would begin at Nipane as soon as construction is finished.

He added that the municipality is also not in favour of dumping waste at Satipole and acknowledged that locals have repeatedly asked for dumping to stop. However, he said the municipality was compelled to use the site temporarily as the dumping facility at Nipane had not yet been completed.