Call to utilize garbage

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, July 20 - What else could be a better solution to the capital's garbage dumping site crisis than to reduce the trash at its source.

And that is exactly what activists of Save the Environment Foundation (SEF), a women-run NGO, called on Kathmanduites to do Wednesday: Reduce garbage by producing organic fertilizer out of biodegradable stuff.

According to a press release received here today, the activists marched through the streets of Kathmandu all day Wednesday, calling on households to reduce garbage and distributing pamphlets that tells how to make compost manure.

"If Kathmnadu households are to start using all the organic stuff in making compost manure, it will definitely and substantially reduce garbage here," the release said. "Equally important is the need to ban polythene bags. Every community should contribute towards making Kathmandu a clean, green and healthy place to live in."

Early this week, SEF's Chanda Rana also issued a khulla patra (open letter) to the Prime Minister, urging to find a long-term solution to the capital's garbage dumping site problem. The letter was also published in Kantipur daily, the sister publication of this newspaper.

The Valley's 1.5 million population discharge some 500 metric tonnes of garbage daily. Of which 20 percent is plastics, while the rest is biodegradable stuff, according to Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).

Rangeli-Biratnagar road still inoperative

BIRATNAGAR, July 20 (PR) - The 22-kilometre-long Rangeli-Biratnagar road has still not come into operation after the four diversion bridges on the road were washed away by floods about a month ago.
Nine bridges on this route built during the Panchayat, more than 30 years ago, had become outdated and dilapidated. Therefore, the new bridges were under construction since Baishakh (April-May) this year after erecting the diversion bridges with the cooperation of the British government.

Last month the floods had swept away four diversions constructed over Judi, Cheka, Chisang and Bhaluwa Khola. Since then the diversions have not been constructed again.

People of 15 VDCs deriving benefit from the road have been adversely affected after the transportation has come to a halt on the road. People living in Biratnagar or Rangeli have been compelled to reach Rangeli or Biratnagar by travelling through another route which is longer than this route by 70 to 75 kilometres. Similarly, people living in areas which lie towards the midway have been forced to walk on foot to reach either Rangeli or Biratnagar.

If anyone falls ill, he or she has to be carried on human back or by human beings and it takes a long time to reach the hospital.

Eleven-year-old Raju Mandal, son of Nathuni Mandal in Sorabhag VDC-8 died recently on the way as he was being carried in such a way.

Chief of the Roads Division Office Daya Ram Dhungana said the office was not in a condition to construct the diversions on the road before the rainy season was over due to floods.

However, the companies engaged in constructing the bridges on the road have made alternative arrangements for pedestrians to cross the rivulets.

Concern raised over leftist division

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, July 20 - Nepali Communists of various factions expressed deep concern over fragmentation of the Communist movement at a programme organized to mark the 22nd Puspalal Memorial day.

Shahana Pradhan, a top leader of CPN-ML and wife of the late Pushpalal Pradhan, revered Communist leader, urged all the Communists to follow the principles propounded by the late Puspalal. "Industrial labourers are very few in our country. That's why we have to start with a Farmers' Movement,"said Sahana and pointed out the lack of adhesive force among the Communist fronts.
Another speaker Govinda Singh Thapa of Masal said the Communists have always played crucial role in upholding national sovereignty be it Kalapani, Koshi or Mahakali issues.

"In the name of Maoists the rightists are raising their ugly heads," said Thapa.

General Seceretary of the United Marxist Front Bishnu Bahadur Manandhar, Manik Lal Shrestha,Surendra KC, Sitaram Tamang,Amit Sherchan and Bhakta Bahadur Shrestha were the other speakers at the programme.

Trade unions to combat child labour

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, July 20 - Three major trade union organizations of Nepal have adopted common policies and strategies for the elimination of child labour, according to a press release issued by the International Labour Organization (ILO) here today.

The trade unions -- Nepal Trade Union Congress (NTUC), General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT) and Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Unions (DECONT) reached to this common understanding at the end of a 2-day workshop on developing common understanding, policies and strategies on child labour among trade union organizations.

The Senior ILO Advisor Leyla Tegmo Reddy said, the understanding would serve as a guiding principle for future activities of the unions in combating child labour.