NUWAKOT: Residents of the Bancharedanda area organized a peaceful demonstration today, demanding that waste disposal from the Kathmandu Valley be carried out in a systematic and scientific manner.

They also called for the implementation of the previous agreements reached with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office regarding proper waste management. As a result of the protest, vehicles carrying waste from the Kathmandu Valley were forced to return without dumping the waste at the site.

The Bancharedanda landfill site lies along the Nuwakot–Dhading border specifically in Kakani rural municipality of Nuwakot and Dhunbesi municipality of Dhading.

Local resident Dipendra Lama said the demand was focused on implementing the 18-point agreement reached earlier on June 9, 2022 concerning the disposal of Kathmandu Valley’s waste at the Sisdole–Bancharedanda–Kundule landfill site.

Protesters from both Kakani rural municipality (Wards 1 and 2) and Dhunbesi municipality(Wards 1, 2, and 3) gathered along the Dhande Road, which lies on the border between the two districts, and turned back the garbage trucks.

The locals reiterated that waste should only be disposed of at night, with arrangements made to control foul odors, ensure vehicles carrying waste do not leak leachate, and prevent the leachate from entering rivers through proper scientific management.

They complained that the lack of implementation of the past agreement has worsened living conditions. Residents also reported an increase in infectious diseases and said their daily lives have been severely affected.

Locals have demanded that representatives from Kathmandu Metropolitan City visit the site to hold discussions and address their concerns. They said the protest was a self-initiated movement by the people, and that their local representatives have expressed solidarity with their demands.