KATHMANDU: The Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee, under the Ministry of Urban Development, has installed a ‘trash barrier’ aimed at collecting floating waste in the rivers of Kathmandu.

The installation has been completed at five sites along the Bagmati River, starting from Guhyeshwari, including Gokarna Barrage, Guhyeshwari, Tilganga Eye Hospital, the confluence of Bagmati and Manohara, UN Park, and an additional site at the confluence of the Manohara River and Karmanasha, totaling six locations.

This initiative is being carried out under a contract of Rs 6.5 million.

As per the private secretariat of Minister for Urban Development Kulman Ghising, the trash barrier is designed to block waste such as plastics, polythene, bottles, and wooden debris floating on the river’s surface, collecting it at a designated site.

In the rivers of the Kathmandu Valley, including the Bagmati, Bishnumati, Manohara, and Dhobikhola, significant amounts of floating trash is seen due to urbanization and inadequate waste management.

The installation of trash barrier in these rivers allows for the removal of waste without impeding the flow of the river, thereby aiding in the reduction of river pollution. The waste collected by the trash barrier can be routinely removed, sorted, recycled, and managed in a safe manner.

This process not only diminishes river pollution but also enhances the aesthetic appeal of the river, supports the conservation of aquatic life, and promotes public health.

The structure that has been installed will effectively prevent floating waste such as plastic, polythene, bottles, and wood from accumulating on the river surface while allowing the river flow to continue unobstructed. It will also feature a rubber conveyor belt and floating components that adjust with the water level.

KATHMANDU: Every day, ordinary households discard countless plastic milk packets as waste, unaware that these same plastics can be transformed into beautiful, useful items.

Among the few who recognized this potential is 65-year-old Urmila Paneru from Kalanki, who has been creatively repurposing discarded plastics into handicrafts for the past 16 years.

Urmila’s journey began in 2066 BS when she attended a ward-level handicraft training program.

Since then, she has continuously honed her skills, turning what most consider non-biodegradable waste into new, functional products.

Over the years, she has not only produced a variety of innovative items but also trained numerous others in different locations, spreading awareness about sustainable craft practices.

Her achievements, however, were not without challenges. Lacking family support, she persevered through societal pressures and domestic responsibilities.

From her kitchen, she collects discarded milk packets, cleans and processes them into threads, which she then uses to make a range of items including handbags, shoes, mats, nets, door mats, kitchen tools, keychains, socks, pouches, and storage boxes for toothbrushes and spoons, among other decorative pieces.

Urmila’s dedication, patience, and continuous skill development have not only resulted in sustainable products but have also inspired countless women to pursue self-reliance and entrepreneurship.

Photos:

-Saroj Basnet