In a significant step toward promoting sustainable urban waste management, Youth Advocacy Group Saral Nepal from Bharatpur Metropolitan City organized an interaction program titled “Stakeholder Dialogue on Waste Management and Reduction” under the EU-funded GreenShift project. Held at Bharatpur Metropolitan City Hall on July 27, 2025, the event brought together over 47 participants, including municipal officials, youth representatives, civil society members, and environmental practitioners. The program aimed to raise awareness among key stakeholders, facilitate exchange of innovative practices, and foster collaborative commitments to waste reduction in Bharatpur.
Presided over by Deputy Mayor Mr. Chitrasen Adhikari, the session included senior officials such as Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Laxmi Prasad Poudel, DSP Harikrishna Dhakal, and division heads from the Environment, Education, Public Health, and Disaster Management sectors. Representatives from Youth Innovation Lab, Women Empowerment and Transformative Organization, local journalists, and Saral Nepal’s leadership also participated.
The event opened with welcome remarks and a presentation on GreenShift’s six-month journey, showcasing grassroots interventions including waste-to-wealth training, wall painting campaigns, and the transformation of Namuna Tole into a model green neighborhood.
Deputy Mayor Mr. Chitrasen Adhikari reaffirmed the city’s support – “We are committed to partnering with local organizations like Saral Nepal to strengthen Bharatpur’s waste management system. Future consultations and awareness campaigns will be prioritized to build a cleaner, greener city.”
Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Laxmi Prasad Poudel expressed openness to new technologies: – “Initiatives like the Tag Me app show promise in reducing plastic waste. If feasible, we are ready to explore its implementation in Bharatpur.”
Other stakeholders emphasized community-level solutions. Mr. Subash Acharya from the Education Division advocated for school-based waste reduction programs, while DSP Dhakal pledged stronger enforcement around commercial waste practices.
Waste Smart Fellow Coordinator Ms. Monika Gurung presented on plastic categorization and digital tracking tools like Tag Me, while community leader Ms. Sangeeta Bhattarai expressed readiness to collaborate with Saral Nepal for joint waste awareness efforts.
President of Saral Nepal Mr. Manish Poudel provided an overview of the group’s activities, including challenges faced in navigating local governance structures. Project Lead Mr. Rupak Ghimire concluded the program by emphasizing GreenShift’s vision – “This is not just about managing waste but reimagining value in what we throw away. With collective effort, we can shift the way our cities approach sustainability.”
Key outcomes included strengthened cross-sector partnerships, renewed stakeholder commitment, and the initial groundwork for forming a dedicated waste management working group in Bharatpur.
