SOUP has also work in the improvement of environment. For this, we organize household solid waste management program to minimize the waste in the community and empower them. We involve communities which includes 1000 household we conduct training and distribute Waste making Drum to each household. The program was very successful.
Solid waste management is becoming one of the big problems of urban areas. It affects more in the cities like Kathamandu. Hence, to reduce, recycle and reuse the waste from the household level so as to minimize the city wise problem, a programme on “Proper Handling of Solid Waste at House Hold level” was started from March 2003 in Gophal, Kathmandu in financial support of DED in the coordination of Youth Corner Club – community based organization.
At the beginning, SOUP accomplished the compost program in 60 households in Gophal which covers 385 populations, which comes around 32 % of the total population. It aims to cover the whole community in the future. The quantity of waste the produce in each household is minimized.
Similarly, SOUP started composting program 700 households in Lalitpur ward no 11, 12 and 18 and Kathmandu ward no 21 with the support of CKV – JICA study team as their pilot project
They started to separate the waste onto organics and inorganic. They categorized the inorganic waste too for instance – separate the plastics, papers and others. Women are very happy to get a good and positive support from the family members.
Since the program is done only in the selected household in the community the impact can be measured visually. Hence, it is important to cover the entire household in the community to make some changes in the community.
The result in this program is good. The coverage is limited however there is still strong demand from the community is very high. Thus to fulfill the demand it is necessary to increase the program.
Good environment enhances the quality of human life. The environment offers resources of production. Production and consumption activities generate waste. In day to day life’s of human being product different kinds of waste which effect directly or indirectly. SOUP is working to reduce house hold waste and its’ good management in household level. SOUP provides waste management training in community level. This could minimize the waste in household level also help to product compost by kitchen waste (degradable waste). Productions of composts are use in rooftop farming.
In urban area, there no more space for farming land so SOUP promote for the rooftop farming in community level by using compost made from kitchen waste. This kind of practice made the people of community level loved the waste and could see the change in their behavior thoughts.
In addition, SOUP implements the (Integrated Pest Management) IPM training program as a major program for the selected farmers along with other sub activities in the different urban periphery who want to get involve in farming or learn the new technique of the farming through IPM method. Vegetable farming has so emerged as one of the profitable businesses for income production and self-employment in the urban periphery.
Today, organic farming is a great commercial venture for farmers. For improved health, the majority of people demand organic products. Organic farming by IPM (Integrated Pest Management) method is the traditional way of farming with no use of harmful chemicals. More emphasis is placed on quality than quantity. It benefits the environment, improves food quality, promotes better health, and generates good profits. People are requesting organic vegetables at an increasing rate.
IPM (Integrated Pest Management) training is still mostly unknown to the public. A majority of people are still not aware of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) training. Insufficient technical skills, land problem and poor knowledge in IPM technology are the main problems in the farming. People are using harmful chemicals pesticides to protect their crops from harmful insects. Due of this, people are unable to eat fresh, nutritious food or veggies. By using dangerous chemicals in the field, a harmful environment is created, which can lead to both chronic and communicable diseases in human.
Addressing the problem, the organization had implemented the 18 weeks IPM training program as a major program where the participants learn the theory and also involve in the practical classes themselves. IPM training is starting from the plantation to the point of harvesting.
SOUP completed more than 18 IPM trainings in different places of urban periphery by the partnership with CORE International. In one group there are 30 to 40 people. Still they are doing farming by IPM methods. Some are doing individually for their own consumption and some are doing for commercial business.