Analysis of debris found in Narayani river from Devghat to Golaghat, mostly plastic
The highest amount of plastic waste was found on the banks of the Narayani river. Such a situation was discovered while analyzing the garbage found from Devghat to Golaghat in the Narayani River in the Bharatpur Metropolitan Municipality area. "Better Chitwan", an organization of Chitwan's youth, which has been conducting an awareness campaign on issues such as littering, has published a report on Sunday after studying the garbage on the banks of the river.
Sagar Karki, former president and study coordinator of Better Chitwan, informed that the condition of garbage was analyzed in eight places, namely the bathing ghat and cremation ground in two areas of Devghat, Zorkusum Park, Narayangadh riverside school and exhibition area, Nagarvan riverside, Bhangerithan in Sivaghat and the last western point of Bharatpur. 42 and a half percent of the waste found in these areas is plastic. Karki said that it is more than 72 percent in Devghat area.
About 23 percent garbage has been found in Nagarban. The garbage of Bharatpur Metropolitan Corporation was delivered here until some time ago. Now, there is no garbage collection. The metropolis has taken Jaldevi Barandabhar to the forest and started clearing the garbage.
Better Chitwan has done an accounting of the state of garbage under the project 'Nadi Sang Hami' conducted by an organization named Nawalpur Gaindakot Consent. According to Akriti Subedi, who coordinated the project on behalf of Better Chitwan, a study was conducted on this issue from November 24th to 30th. She informed that the garbage found within 15 meters diameter in these eight areas has been analyzed.
17.14 percent of cloth waste has been found in the second number on the river bank . 12.62 percent of lead and 7.89 percent of decaying waste were found in the third number. After that, the waste from the hospital is 4.69% and paper is 4.02%, it is mentioned in the report . Metal and wood are one and a half percent and pottery is around two and a half percent.
Karki said that plastic waste was found at all points. He said that in places like Bhangerithan, syringes used by drug addicts and plastics of biscuits and chips eaten and thrown away by tourists were found. Even if a little attention is paid to waste management, there is no waste in a place like Bhangerithan. But it was found that even the ward office did not take care of it, said Karki.
Narayani river is considered holy from religious point of view. Devghat has a bathing and cremation place. Golaghat has been developed as a tourist area. This river is also very important for wild animals as it flows through Chitwan Park. Study Coordinator Karki said that despite being important from the point of view of environment and religion, the situation of garbage is terrible.
If there is no good and sustainable management of garbage, the condition of Narayani will not take long to deteriorate, said Akriti Subedi, who is the coordinator of the project Better Chitwan. It was seen that it is necessary for the metropolis to pay attention to the systematic collection and disposal of garbage. Similarly, Devghat and Golaghat areas have to be declared as plastic bag free areas and implemented, said Subedi.
She also requested the Metropolitan Corporation to strictly implement the policy to stop the mixing of sewage and excreta directly into the river. She informed that untreated sewage water was mixed directly into the river from seven places from Devghat to Golaghat. The report mentions that garbage in the river is increasing due to sewage contamination, unorganized fairs and the negligence of tourists.
