The landfill site has become a source of earning for 60 scavengers like Ashish and his spouse. [break]
Yes, it is a dirty job but the Tamang couple earn something to the tune of Rs 25,000 a month by selling recyclable products collected from the garbage.
Most of the scavengers are from Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhangadi district.
It´s not that Ashish and his wife did not have a choice. They used to do carpentry in Kathmandu before becoming garbage pickers.
They told Republica that they are happy about their decision to change the profession. “We were earning Rs 15,000 a month in Kathmandu, but here we make double the sum. Now we are having no problems settling our bills,” said Ashish.
Beside the two newcomers, there are plenty others who are prowling through the garbage for years and they are not disappointed at all.
Mankumari Maya Tamang from Bhorle VDC of Rasuwa is picking garbage at the landfill site for the last two years.
“Education was a far cry for me and I never had an opportunity to learn other skill. As I result, I ended up here. But I do make enough money to cover up my expenses,” said Tamang.
Ajaya Thakur of Rautahat said that he makes up to Rs 35,000 a month by selling scraps collected from the dumping site.
“Most people think this is the worst kind of job one can get, but for us this is the best. To be honest, I have even bought a small plot of land from this profession,” said Thakur.
These scavengers sell scarps to local businessmen, who come from Kathmandu. Plastic products fetch up to Rs17 per kg while metal are sold for a cool Rs 35 a kg, they said.
Related story
Road blocked over woman's death in road accident
_20240311121839.jpg)
