Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) organized its 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, 10 September, 2022 at Baneshwor Banquet, Thapagoan, New Baneswor, Kathmandu. The provision for virtual participation was also made for EPNHO Board members, who could not make it physically. The key agendas of the meeting were to share the annual progress report and financial report of the fiscal year 2021/22; to approve the inclusion of new general members; to announce the winners of the Hutaram Environment Award, Bhairab Risal Media Fellowship, and Bigyan Memorial Research Award, and finally best employee of the year, ENPHO Tara 2022.
The assembly commenced under the chairmanship of Mr. Rajiv Joshi, Chairperson, ENPHO and in the gracious presence of Member Secretary, Mr. Manoj Bhatta at Social Welfare Council as the chief guest. The honorable guest for the event was Senior Environmental Journalist Mr. Bhairab Risal. Other special guests for the event were Mr. Suman Prasad Sharma, Former Secretary at Government of Nepal; Mr. Ram Kumar KC, Ward Chairperson of Ward-10 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City; Mr. Sanjeev Bikram Rana, Executive Director, Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board; Mr. Rajendra Aryal, National Chairperson, FEDWASUN and Ms. Sushila Thapa, Chairperson, Adarsha Marg, Tole Development Committee.
Ms. Urmila Joshi, Executive Committee Member and Former-Chairperson, ENPHO welcomed all the participants in the event. She highlighted on how the vision of ENPHO of creating societies, which was determined 3 decades back, has now been accepted by different organizations including the government. The chief guest of the event Mr. Manoj Bhatta inaugurated the assembly by pouring vermin-compost and water in the flower pot.
Ms. Bhawana Sharma, Executive Director of ENPHO, presented the annual progress report of the fiscal year 2021/22. In her presentation, Ms. Sharma highlighted various projects that were implemented during the fiscal year, their objectives, project durations, major project activities, major accomplishments, and progresses achieved. Additionally, Mr. Prakash Chandra Amatya, Treasurer of ENPHO, presented the financial audit report of the fiscal year 2021/22.
Continuing the tradition of the previous years, statement of 3 ENPHO awards were also announced. Firstly, “Hutaram Environment Award-2022” was awarded to Green Road Waste Management Pvt. Ltd. New Road, Pokhara for their contribution in reusing the plastic for paving roads and making bricks, which has supported in environmental conservation. On behalf of the company, Mr. Bimal Bastola, Co-founder of Green Road Waste Management Pvt. Ltd. received the award. The award was felicitated by Chief Guest Mr. Manoj Bhatta.
Similarly, “Bhairab Risal Media Fellowship-2079” was presented to Mr. Madhav Prasad Aryal, a Journalist as a recognition for his contribution in writing articles, research papers, news based on air pollution, water pollution along with improper fecal sludge and waste management affecting public health and the environment. Mr. Bhairab Risal himself felicitated the award to the awardee.
Moreover, the “Bigyan Memorial Research Award-2022” was awarded to Ms. Archana Shrestha who is pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Science at the Central Department of Environment Science, Tribhuvan University. The award was presented for her research entitled ‘Effectiveness of anaerobic digester in public toilet to treat fecal sludge’. The award was presented by Mr. Manoj Bhatta.
Like every year, “ENPHO Tara- best employee of the year-2022” was also announced during the AGM. The title of the best employee for the year-2022 was awarded to Ms. Sabina Magar, Assistant Admin Officer at ENPHO. First Runner Up and Second Runner Up awards were presented to Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Project Coordinator, and Mr. Khagendra Bahadur Sijapati, Provincial WASH Coordinator respectively.
While putting her remarks, Ms. Shushila Thapa appreciated the support and cooperation that ENPHO has been providing in terms of making the community even a better place. She further congratulated ENPHO for the journey it has come along and wished for many more successful years in the days to come.
Similarly, Mr. Rajendra Aryal, a Special guest, of the event highlighted that despite of the increasing accessibility and the coverage to drinking water, the quality of the water is decreasing. He further reflected on the role that the ENPHO should now focus more on increasing the water quality tests to ensure quality coverages. He concluded his remarks by congratulating all the winners who were awarded in the event.
Mr. Bhairav Risal, the Honorable Guest, congratulated all the winners of the awards for their achievements and thanked Mr. Prakash Amatya for making an award in his honor. He further emphasized ENPHO as a service-oriented organization promoting water sanitation and hygiene behavior. He concluded his speech by expressing his satisfaction in terms of people being aware of the importance of safe drinking water for healthy living.
Mr. Manoj Bhatta, Chief Guest of the event, acknowledged the kinds of projects ENPHO has been implementing for the betterment of public health and the environment. He also emphasized the need for implementing different kinds of projects that aligns with national and international goals such as SDG.
Prior to ending the first session of the event, a token of love was provided to all the guests on the podium.
The first session of the assembly ended with concluding remarks from the Chairperson Mr. Rajiv Joshi. In closing remarks, Chairperson Mr. Joshi summarized the annual and fiscal progress of the fiscal year 2021/22. He concluded his remarks by assuring the activeness of ENPHO in achieving the national SDG target on time and anticipating continuous support from donors, government bodies, and other organizations.
During the second session of the assembly, 2 new members were approved as general members of ENPHO.
Altogether, 101 members, guests, and staff participated in the annual general meeting through a direct presence and the zoom platform.
