Celebrating World Water Day 2023, SOPHEN in association with Ministry of Water Supply, Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management (DWSSM) and in collaboration with KVWSMB, WHO, BMGF, ITN-BUET, FANSA, SNV, Water Aid Nepal and ENPHO organized the seminar on 22 March 2023 at Hotel Shanker, Kathmandu.

The event was chaired by Mr. Anil Bhandra Khanal, Chairperson of SOPHEN; Mr. Maniram Gelal Secretary from Ministry of Water Supply resided as Chief Guest; Dr. Swarnim Wagle, Former VC, NPC resided as a Special Guest; and, Er. Ganesh Shah, Former Minister and Brand Ambassador of SOPHEN, Er. Tiresh Prasad Khatri, Joint secretary of Ministry of Water Supply, and Mr. Ramakanta Duwadi, Director General from Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management resided as Guests for the event.

During the technical session chaired by Er. Ramakanta Duwadi, Ms. Srijana Karki, representing ENPHO presented a video on the ground reality of waste collectors while working in the field.   

Raising the collective voice of fecal sludge desludgers, Bijay Lama, a fecal sludge desludger in Mahalaxmi Municipality said, “The major problem we are facing is that of a treatment or disposal site for safely disposing the fecal sludge. As a result of lack of proper disposal space, we are compelled to face various hassles at work.” Bijay requested all the authorities present amid a seminar to support and act on resolving this issue and practice of unsafe disposal of fecal sludge. It’s been 20 years that his family has been running this business.

During the seminar, Standardization Expert Mr. Ganesh Pathak presented about ISO Standards 24521, 30500 and its national adoption. The presentation provided information to the participants on the standards, objectives and needs.

The event was conducted at Hotel Shanker, Lazimpat, Kathmandu with more than 100 attendees.