Myagdi, Nepal - A growing mound of municipal waste along the banks of the Kaligandaki River at Ratopahiro in Beni Municipality-6 has become a stark symbol of the district's long-standing waste management crisis. For nearly two decades, solid waste generated from Beni Bazaar, the district headquarters of Myagdi, has been dumped at the riverside site, posing increasing risks to public health, the environment, and tourism.
The image shows large volumes of mixed waste piled directly beside the Kaligandaki River, with the landfill surrounded by lush forested hills. The striking contrast between the natural landscape and the expanding waste dump underscores the urgent need for sustainable waste management in one of Nepal's ecologically significant river corridors.
According to local reports, foul odors from the dumping site have become a persistent problem for residents of Bagarphant, Jaleshwar, and Galeshwar, while travelers using the Beni-Jomsom road are also affected. The municipality has struggled to identify suitable land for a permanent sanitary landfill, leaving authorities with limited options for disposing of solid waste.
Environmental experts warn that unmanaged waste along riverbanks can contaminate water resources, threaten aquatic biodiversity, and increase the movement of plastics and other pollutants downstream, particularly during the monsoon season. Open dumping also attracts pests, emits greenhouse gases as organic waste decomposes, and diminishes the area's scenic and tourism value.
The situation highlights a broader challenge faced by many municipalities across Nepal, where rapid urban growth has outpaced investments in waste segregation, recycling, composting, and engineered landfill facilities. Strengthening waste reduction at the source, expanding recycling systems, and securing environmentally suitable disposal sites remain critical for protecting rivers and surrounding communities.
Photo: Santosh Gautam/RSS
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