Regulatory hurdles stall Dharan's waste-to-energy plant, prolong forest dumping
Summary
Regulatory hurdles have stalled Dharan’s waste-to-energy plant, forcing the city to keep dumping 30–40 metric tons of garbage a day in a forest along the Seuti River. The shutdown has worsened pollution, harmed wildlife and created problems for farmers downstream in Ramdhuni Municipality.
Key Points
- Dharan’s waste-to-energy plant has been shut down for about three years because the company could not secure approval to commercialize gas from converted vehicles.
- With no alternative processing facility, the municipality is again dumping 30–40 metric tons of waste daily in a forest along the Seuti River.
- Burning and dumping waste are worsening pollution, increasing forest-fire risks and affecting farmland in Ramdhuni Municipality during the monsoon.
- Authorities and the company say they are working on procedures and land acquisition for a longer-term waste management solution.
