Dharan — Smoke from burning garbage at a dumping site near the Charkose Jhadi forest in Dharan-15 has raised concerns over air pollution, environmental damage and the risk of fire spreading into the surrounding forest.
Dharan has been facing an ongoing waste-management problem after its waste-processing facility stopped operating. Municipal waste is currently being taken to a temporary dumping area near the Seuti River, close to the forest.
The city produces an estimated 30 to 40 tonnes of waste each day, putting additional pressure on the temporary dumping site. With waste accumulating at the location, open burning has become a visible environmental concern.
Smoke from the burning garbage can spread across the surrounding area and affect visibility and air quality along the Koshi Highway, creating difficulties for people travelling through the area.
The location of the dumping site near the Charkose forest has also raised concerns about forest-fire risks. Fires inside large waste piles can continue smouldering even after visible flames disappear, making them difficult to control.
Dharan’s waste-processing centre was established to process municipal waste into gas and organic fertiliser. The facility was designed to handle up to 50 tonnes of waste per day, but it has remained inactive amid regulatory and administrative challenges.
The continued accumulation of waste has increased pressure on the municipality to find a sustainable solution. Authorities have been exploring options for a new waste-management site while also looking into ways to resume the existing processing facility.
The situation has raised concerns among nearby communities and travellers using the highway, highlighting the environmental and public-health challenges created by uncontrolled waste dumping and burning.
A long-term waste-management system with proper segregation, processing and disposal facilities would help reduce open dumping and burning and limit its impact on the surrounding forest and communities.
