Sunday, July 08, 2007

Biogas plants to be installed in Valley

Razen Manandhar
Kathmandu, July 7[2007]:

The Water for Asian Cities (WAC) is extending partial financial support for construction of several biogas plants across the Kathmandu valley and develop them as models.

The construction aims at spreading a message that direct disposal of drain-water and waste in the rivers can be largely reduced by producing biogas from the wastes and help keep rivers cleaner.

WAC, a part of the UN-Habitat, is partially funding the construction of biogas plants in Khokna, Godavari, Kalimati, Patan, Tribhuvan University premises, Amrit Science College premises and Thimi.

“By promoting biogas plants in urban areas, we want to prove that we can contribute greatly to solid waste management and keeping the rivers free from pollution,” said Manandhar, a programme associate at the WAC. The demonstration plants will encourage installation of similar plants in the city localities, she said.

A biogas plant established at Manokranti Meditation Centre at Godawari has recently come into operation. The plant is fed with human night-soil to produce biogas for a canteen run at the centre. There are plans to install two plants on the premises of Tribhuwan University.

Each in the Boys’ Hostel on the TU premises and the Central Department of Environment Sciences (CDES).

Likewise, a biogas plant is also being installed at the hostel of Amrit Science College, Lainchour, where night-soil and other organic waste will be fed. Another biogas plant is being installed at the vegetable market at Dhapagal of Patan, which will be fed with vegetable waste produced in the area.

Meanwhile, the waste-water treatment plant at Sungaa of Thimi Municipality is also being converted into a biogas plant. Further, construction of a community-level biogas plant at the Khokna village of Lalipur has completed. A study is being carried out to establish a biogas plant to manage the vegetable waste produced at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market as well.
[ KATHMANDU, JULY 08, 2007, Ashad 24, 2064]