Waste management in Achham district has become a major problem due to a lack of proper landfill sites.

Mangalsen, Sanfebagar, Kamalbazaar and Binayak, among other bazaar areas, are the most affected by the waste problem.

Even the district’s headquarters, Mangalsen, does not have a proper landfill site.

Residents of Siradi, around seven kilometres away from Mangalsen, complain of garbage piling up in the bazaar area and by the riversides. Khagendra Bhandari, a local, said that the villagers have to suffer from the unbearable stench emanating from garbage littered near their settlement.

“There are around a dozen villages in the area. People are facing problems using water for household purposes because of garbage overflowing near the water sources,” Bhandari said.

Five years ago, locals had donated land plots in Siradi to build a landfill site, but the site was never constructed. In its place came a dumping ground without proper waste management mechanisms. The locals are now demanding authorities to move the dumping ground since the overflow of garbage is affecting half a dozen villages.

Padam Bohara, mayor of Mangalsen Municipality, said that his office is searching for appropriate land plots to construct a proper landfill site.

“Siradi dumping site is a temporary provision. That’s why we request the locals not to panic,” said Bohara.

Meanwhile, the Budhiganga river in Sanfebagar and other rivers and streams in the vicinity are also being polluted because of the haphazard garbage disposal. Prabhali and Chhepekhola (streams) have turned into a dumping ground for the locals.

“These rivers and streams are filled with plastic bottles, broken glasses and other household garbage,” said Rup Bahadur Kunwar, a resident of Sanfebagar Municipality.

According to officials of Sanfebagar Municipality, the municipality is also looking for land plots to construct a landfill site in Sanfebagar.

Mina BK, a local, said, “In the past, we used to take our cattle to the rivers and streams for drinking purpose, but the rivers are so polluted now that we don’t take our animals there anymore.”