Sanjay Nath Khanal

Solid Waste and Water Quality Management Models for Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone, Nepal Implementation of a Participatory Modeling Framework

Abstract The problem of supporting decision- and policy-makers in managing issues related to solid waste and water quality was addressed within the context of a participatory modeling framework in the Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone in Nepal. We present the main findings of management-oriented research projects conducted within this framework, thus providing an overview of the current situation in the park regarding solid waste and water quality issues. We found that most of the solid waste generated in the park is composed of organic matter, paper, and minor reused waste that is mainly reused for cattle feeding and manure, while disposal of other nondegradable categories of collected waste (glass, metal, and plastic) is not properly managed. Particularly, burning or disposal in open dumps poses a great hazard to environmental, human, and animal health, as most dump sites situated close to water courses are prone to regular flooding during the rainy season, thereby directly contaminating river water. Pollutants and microbiological contamination in water bodies were found and anthropogenic activities and hazardous practices such as solid waste dump sites, open defecation, and poor conditions of existing septic tanks are suggested as possibly affecting water quality. Collection of these data on solid waste and water quality and compilation of management information on the targeted social-ecological system allowed us to develop consensus-building models to be used as management supporting tools. By implementing such models, we were able to simulate scenarios identifying and evaluating possible management solutions and interventions in the park. This work reveals insights into general dynamics that can support the quest for solutions to waste and water quality management problems in other protected areas and mountain landscapes where traditional livelihood and land use patterns are changing under the influence of a growing population, changing consumption patterns, and international tourism.

Ambient air quality of Kathmandu valley as reflected by atmospheric particulate matter concentrations (PM10)

This paper presents the analysis and interpretation of ambient particulate matter concentrations measured as PM10 at a network of six air monitoring stations in Kathmandu valley during the years, 2003 through 2005. The purpose was to understand the pollution trends associated with different areas considering levels particulate matter concentrations representing the ambient air quality of Kathmandu valley. The study indicate that particulate concentrations (PM10) measured are persistently higher at air sampling sites representing roadside areas compared to the background sites. The inter-station network variability with respect the particulate pollution suggests optimizing resources. The comparison of annual average PM10 concentration observed at six air-monitoring sites in Kathmandu Valley with standard annual average concentration prescribed by World Health Organization as well as Europe Union indicates serious PM10 pollution in Kathmandu valley.

Estimation of number of deaths associated with exposure to excess ambient PM10 air pollution

The respirable particle matter (PM10) concentration in urban areas has been a chronic cause concern and principal reason for increased morbidity rate among resident population. The present study aimed at estimating a discrete event like mortality rate associated and attributable to excess particulate matter pollution in the Kathmandu Valley area. The Government of Nepal conducts air monitoring of particulates at its air monitoring site network covering valley area. Adopting the data available with respect to PM10 and with several other considerations like cutoff value for PM10, mean annual concentration, demographic data of valley, exceedance to the reference cutoff value, attributable fraction evolution and computation relative risk attributable to PM10 was computed. Assumption was made about the relative risk of long-term average PM10 exposure on natural mortality estimated and reported from a previous study. The estimation or mortality rate in our case was 0.95% after all these considerations and computation. This implies that 95 deaths out of 10,000 deaths are due to particulate pollution existing in the Kathmandu Valley Area.

Load limit of a UASB fed septic tank-treated domestic wastewater

Performance of a 250 L pilot-scale up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, operated at ambient temperatures, fed septic tank effluents intermittently, was monitored for hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 18 h to 4 h. The total suspended solids (TSS), total chemical oxygen demand (CODT), dissolved chemical oxygen demand (CODdis) and suspended chemical oxygen demand (CODss) removal efficiencies ranged from 20 to 63%, 15 to 56%, 8 to 35% and 22 to 72%, respectively, for the HRT range tested. Above 60% TSS and 47% CODT removal were obtained in the combined septic tank and UASB process. The process established stable UASB treatment at HRT≥6 h, indicating a hydraulic load design limit. The tested septic tank-UASB combined system can be a low-cost and effective on-site sanitation solution.

Exposure to respirable silica among clay brick workers in Kathmandu valley, Nepal

ABSTRACT Previous studies report high respirable silica exposures among clay brick workers globally; however, there are little data on exposures among workers in fixed chimney Bulls trench kilns, the predominant kiln type in Kathmandu valley, Nepal. We investigated respirable silica exposures among workers (N = 46) in five similar exposure groups (SEGs). Mean exposures were highest for red brick loading/carrying (331 μg/m3), followed by green brick stacking (223 μg/m3), fireman (102 μg/m3), coal crushing/carrying (92 μg/m3), and green brick molding (71 μg/m3). The average free silica content (13.8%) in the respirable dust fraction was similar to levels reported for clay brick workers employed in other types of kilns. Dust control measures and respiratory protection are recommended, with priority given to workers assigned to red brick loading and stacking and green brick stacking and carrying.

Postdisaster epidemiological assessment of Koshi flood 2008, in Nepal

Introduction: Nepal is vulnerable to geological and hydrological natural disasters with vast epidemiological consequences. Objective: This research is focused on the epidemiology of the aftermath of a major flood in Koshi in the eastern part of Nepal in August 2008. Although, direct flood induced mortality was only two, 39 more mortalities were reported within the four months of the disaster event, mostly amongst those living in the rehabilitation camps. Methods and Materials: Data were collected through questionnaire survey and the secondary data from District Public Health Office (DPHO), Sunsari and well as local health centers. Results: The waterborne infectious diseases and mental disorders were found as the major prominent diseases during the post flood period. The infectious diseases increased by 30% in the first year after the disaster whereas the number of mental disorder patients increased immediately and also within one to three years of period from 29.2% to 62.5% during the post disaster phase. Conclusion: The study has found that the effectiveness of epidemiological interventions would be efficient if it continues up to two years after the flood.

Patterns of Biodiversity in State Managed andCommunity Based Forest ManagementCategories of Terai Arc Landscape, Nepal

This study was carried out in 147 forest units of seven sites of Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) in 2009 and 2012 to analyse and compare the structure of biodiversity within community based forest management (CBM) and state managed systems (SMS) and investigate the relationship among biodiversity indices. For each of these management modes, we simultaneously analysed 24 indices that are theoretically complementary and relate to number of species, evenness and diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation and multiple regression analysis (MLRA) were carried out to investigate empirical relationships between the selected indices. Under landscape level conservation, CBM has been found significantly better than SMS on diversity indices. The results confirmed that instead of using PCA and MLRA separately, use of factor score of PCA in MLRA can offer a good opportunity for developing and predicting model or equations on performance of biodiversity without multicollinearity problem.

Performance of Community Forestry on Social Organization and Livelihoods under Terai Arc Landscape Program, Nepal

3 ABSTRACT: In Nepal, Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) program is under implementation as a priority program and the Community Forestry (CF) has been lauded as a better approach to manage different forest regimes than conventional and top-down management approach. Based on relevant literature, field observations and primary data of 2009 and 2013 from three active and heterogeneous Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) of Mohana-Laljhadi corridor of TAL area, this study assesses the performance of CF on the livelihoods benefits and social outcome of conservation as the proxy measures of conservation success.This study has shown several positive changes and achievements in balancing social organizations and improving various livelihood capitals. Heavy pressure on government managed forests (GMF), increased human wildlife conflicts, problem of elite dominancy, undue political pressures and conflicts still persist. Improvement in CF is considered necessary due to changes in priorities, perspectives and lessons learnt.