Research Korner: Urban Planning

Unmanaged Urbanization in Kathmandu Valley

Mismanagement Urbanization in Kathmandu Valley  Rapid population growth is the major factor for local environmental change; which is happening in Kathmandu Valley in Nepal nowadays. The long-time conflict in the rural areas has been the reason for more than 10,000 people to migrate to Kathmandu Valley.  There are worst infrastructural facilities in the valley, as in to the poor condition of 30,000 slum dwellers that live on the riverside of the Bagmati and Bishnumati.  And, no one in the government side takes initiative to improve the life conditions of these people in the valley.  Based on this condition, open areas are necessary to ensure fresh air, as well as to conserve the existing parks and ponds in the valley.  Aside from that, the increase number of vehicles that carrying heavy loads of brick and wood products have caused serious damage of main roads and worsens the air pollution in the place.  And, because of this road condition, Nepal has been   the center of earthquake disasters; one of these occurrences happened in 1934 which killed about 40,000 people in entire place.  (http://www.springerlink.com/content/h70178p0930x2271/) Medical experts have reported the thriving urbanization, together with the unmanaged urban population and  sanitation, as well as the hot climates have been the primary causes  of high dengue virus  risk zone  in   Kathmandu Valley  in Nepal.  The dengue outbreak    is a result of the high population  record, poor sanitation, as well as  the outcome of the large number of  various wastes or trash  that have been disposed  in various  public places of the  city by  residents. The book of Gopal Singh Nepali “The Newars” mentioned the ancient history of the Kathmandu Valley, the ancient residents of the place used to bury their wastes in the courtyard.  On the other hand, the recyclable materials were being used again by the households, in order to promote management disposal in the city. They even sold garbage used cans for Rs. 0.5 per tin.    However, that was 40 years ago, nowadays, the people in the valley are not responsible enough to realize the importance of garbage and proper management disposal that really gives a tough job to the metropolitan city officials in finding appropriate resources and manpower to eliminate the   308 tons of garbage produced everyday by the residents in Kathmandu Valley.  This is also the main reason that the Kathmandu municipality has promoted the distribution of composting box, training in vermi posting and distribution of required materials for the recycling program initiated by the community officials and civilian volunteers.  Various municipality officials and private sectors are able to reduce 80 % of garbage by collecting and managing the residents’ garbage, and are dumped by the Baghmati River.  And,  only   250 tons of garbage  is being collected and dumped by the  1,264 manpower ; with the help of the following  resources that include Tractors-37, Hydraulic tripper-25, Dumper placer-15, Compactor-11, Roll-offtripper-2, Loader-6, Dozer-2, excavator-2 and  Ship-footed compactor-1.  All these management disposal investments are amounting to NRs. 14, 90, 000,000 or US $ 24, 003,225.80 for the compliance of the municipality projects in the area.  (http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=279676&rel_no=1) Furthermore, in order to increase the public awareness, the government has conducted various programs in local media; as well as it initiated various management garbage disposal programs in local media.  At the same time, the Nepal government established a community recycling center; which inspires civilian volunteers to participate in the various community programs towards garbage management disposal.  To further increase the   drive for garbage management disposal, there are different exhibitions that are being conducted in various places in the country.  And, to be able to   persuade everyone to join in the exhibitions, there have been awards and honor given to those individuals, schools and organizations that are working in the government sector to motivate other people to take proper action against   garbage mismanagement.  But, after all these joint efforts and huge investments, the garbage mismanagement, still the big problem in Kathmandu Valley.  Therefore, to be able to address the   health issue in Kathmandu Valley, medical expert like Dr. Basu Dev Pandey of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital of Teku;    has already laid down guidelines for dengue fever management.  It is ready to be distributed to all high risk zones of the valley and the entire country at large.  In the same manner, the EDCD Director Chudamani Bhandari has started talking with different businessmen of the place to support proper sanitation and water distribution   to the residents.  Since dengue outbreak   is a life threatening; the only way to control or prevent dengue prevalence is to give focus on the personal sanitation among the residents; and pay attention to the environmental condition as well. (http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2011/06/30/top-story/capital-city-a-simmering-dengue-cauldron-experts/223460.html)   References: (http://www.springerlink.com/content/h70178p0930x2271/) (http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=279676&rel_no=1) (http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2011/06/30/top-story/capital-city-a-simmering-dengue-cauldron-experts/223460.html)

Unmanaged Urbanization in Kathmandu Valley

Mismanagement Urbanization in Kathmandu Valley Rapid population growth is the major factor for local environmental change; which is ha...