KATHMANDU, July 23: The enlightened Gautama Buddha, who was born in Lumbini, shared his wisdom on cultivating a clean mind 2,500 years ago. Tilottama Municipality, which is located near Buddha's birthplace, is currently sharing the knowledge of how to keep the city clean and tidy.

The municipality's waste management center has been aptly named the 'Waste Processing and Knowledge Centre,' attracting visitors from various municipalities across the country who come to learn about effective waste management practices.

 “This is not a dumping site, but a waste management and knowledge center. That's why we have developed it as a knowledge center," said Mayor Ram Krishna Khand adding, “The municipality aims to foster learning and inspire other local communities in the country to adopt similar practices.” By sharing their expertise, Tilottama Municipality has become a green and clean role model for others to follow.

The journey to becoming a clean city was not an overnight process. Five years ago, Tilottama Municipality declared itself a plastic-free city, even when plastic waste plagued the capital and other regions. On April 12, 2020, the municipality achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first clean-oriented and zero open polythene municipality in the country.

For the implementation of which the municipality ran strict rules as well as various awareness programs. These programs are still ongoing. That is why Tilottama is the first fully sanitation-oriented municipality among the 753 local levels in the country. To ensure sustainable waste management practices, Tilottama Municipality introduced a unique lesson called 'My Pocket: My First Dustbin' in the local curriculum. This initiative aims to instill responsible waste disposal habits from a young age. Additionally, the municipality launched the 'Green Tilottama: Clean Tilottama' campaign, which has been embraced at the school level as well. The impact of these efforts is evident even among the younger population, as children are now conscious about keeping their environment clean. Children have also learned to carry their waste, such as chocolate wrappers, and dispose of them properly in the dustbin later.

In Tilottama Municipality, keeping the city clean has become a cherished ritual, even amidst challenging circumstances. The credit for the city's enhanced beauty goes to Mayor Ram Krishna Khand, who continued the road cleaning and green promotion program initiated by his predecessor, Basudev Ghimire. The city's residents also remained devoted to cleanliness throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, except for the most difficult periods.

The municipality has been successful in garnering local support for their green promotion and regular cleaning campaigns. As a result, not only the main roads but also the inner roads display cleanliness and charm. Statues of the Buddha further enhance the tranquility and beauty of Tilottama's clean and spacious streets adorned with greenery. However, Mayor Khand believes there is still much more to be done to make Tilottama truly environment-friendly.

According to Mayor Khand, it's essential to follow Buddha's teaching of knowing oneself first, which includes understanding the garbage we generate. Instead of merely discarding waste, the municipality emphasizes reusing and recycling it. Their newfound knowledge in waste management has led to the retrieval of even long-buried garbage. This approach has proven beneficial, as the buried waste has now become a source of income for the city.

In a remarkable display of leadership, the mayor and deputy mayor of Tilottama led a city-wide cleaning effort, wielding brooms themselves. This hands-on approach garnered significant support from the local residents, leading to the successful transformation of Tilottama into the country's first fully sanitation-oriented municipality.

The campaign to create a 'green and clean municipality' has received enthusiastic participation from the entire city, including ward representatives, the mayor, and the deputy mayor. Every 1st and 15th of the month, dedicated groups equipped with dustbins traverse from ward to ward, ensuring the city remains clean and tidy. Remarkably, over 100 such cleanup drives have already been conducted.

Mayor Khand emphasized the importance of a strong bond between public representatives and citizens, likening it to the relationship between flesh and nails. This strong connection has proven instrumental in addressing even the most challenging issues effectively. To maintain the cleanliness of the city, a team of 44 cleaners has been mobilized, with two employees assigned to each ward.

Effective support of the private sector in waste management

Private sector support has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing waste management in Tilottama Municipality. Collaborating with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Nepal and Janasabhagita Bas Swasthya Sahakari Sanstha Ltd, the municipality has implemented effective waste management practices. Waste is diligently separated at the source, with compostable materials being turned into compost and non-biodegradable waste collected at a central facility.

Even among the non-biodegradable waste, the municipality has found innovative solutions. Recyclable plastic is sold, while non-recyclable wrappers from various products are transformed into briquettes and sold to nearby industries. This proactive approach has not only kept the city clean but also generated additional income for the municipality.

With 35,000 households predominantly engaged in agriculture, the municipality faced less difficulty in dealing with organic manure. Many households have started producing earthworm manure, creating employment opportunities. Residents have been educated in managing rotting waste at home, resulting in the production of organic compost.

Embracing modern technology has further enhanced waste management in Tilottama. Mayor Khand affirms that using modern tools has led to a cleaner and more beautiful city, which has delighted the citizens. The municipality has established a treatment center along the Sukhora River, where waste is sorted using advanced techniques, packed, and compressed. This comprehensive approach falls under the 'Green Revival Promotion Project,' facilitating waste collection, processing, and sales.

Tilottama's waste management practices have earned recognition and praise from Sudip Aryal, head of Lumbini and Gandaki province of UNDP Nepal. “The municipality's exemplary efforts in waste management have set a strong precedent,” he said. Aryal emphasized the importance of viewing waste as a valuable resource, advocating for the production of organic fertilizers from rotting waste to enhance agricultural productivity and the conversion of multi-layer plastic into various useful materials.

Tilottama Municipality has received significant financial support from multiple sources for waste collection, management, and processing. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) contributed Rs 16.39 million, Janasabhagita Bas Swasthya Sahakari Sanstha Ltd provided Rs 5.7 million, and the municipality itself invested Rs 17.14 million. This collaboration has propelled the city's waste management efforts to success.

Khem Prasad Gautam, the president of Janasabhagita Bas Swasthya Sahakari Sanstha Ltd, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made, stating that 90 percent of the waste collected in the municipality is recyclable. He believes that with proper planning, the remaining 10 percent can also be efficiently managed.

The mayor of Tilottama is delighted with the strong support from the town's residents and the private sector. Their active participation in waste management has boosted his optimism for a cleaner and greener city. However, he remains concerned about the mismanagement of waste in other places. To spread knowledge and share their successful practices, the mayor invites everyone to visit Tilottama's waste management knowledge center.

"Someone said - when you enter my room, even if you come with dirty feet, you return with clean feet," said Mayor Khand.

 
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