KATHMANDU, JUN 28 -
Effective coordination between police and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Office has been successful in the city’s ongoing fight against litter and garbage, concluded a meeting of the KMC, Metropolitan Police Range (MPR) Hanumandhoka and the Chief District Officer (CDO) on Wednesday.
Rigorous punishment and an awareness campaign have seen a significant decrease in rampant littering and improper garbage disposal. The Wednesday meeting discussed further measures to make the campaign more effective.
According to the MPR, it nabbed a total of 120 offenders for throwing garbage on the streets. The offenders were caught by a joint mission of police and the KMC for intentionally littering on the streets at various places, including Lainchaur, Thamel, Nayabazaar, Bouddha, Chabahil, Swoyambhu and Basantapur, in the Capital. Police handed over the arrestees to KMC officials, who fined each of them Rs 500 and above depending on the type of litter and the number of times they had littered, before their release.
The offenders were punished under the Solid Waste Management Act 2011, which restricts the disposal of garbage in places other than designated zones and allows up to a three-month jail term, a fine of Rs 100,000 or both, according to the nature and frequency of the offense. KMC officials and the police jointly launched a month-long awareness campaign in April informing the public about the legal repercussions of littering in public places, water resources, roads and parks.
Police officials said stakeholders have become increasingly vigilant in garbage prone zones. “Police have been assisting KMC in discouraging such habits. However, people need to be serious about keeping the Valley clean,” said District Superintendent of Police Dhiraj Pratap Singh.
KMC’s Environment Division Chief Rabin Man Shrestha said there has been a tangible change in the mentality of people after the campaign was launched. “We believe littering can be controlled to an even larger extent,” Shrestha said.
Civil police and KMC officials have been deployed in various garbage prone areas of the Capital, said the MPR. Authorities are more vigilant in tourist areas, cultural sites and other previously polluted areas. “As per our plan, tourist areas have been our main target but this campaign will soon be effectively launched in the entire city. All offices have been directed to control such practices,” Singh said.
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/06/28/capital/fight-against-litter-going-good/356266/
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