Solid Waste and Water Quality Management Models for Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone, Nepal

Most solid waste in Sagarmatha National Park and its Buffer Zone is organic, paper, or minor reused material, but non-degradable waste like glass, metal, and plastic poses significant environmental risks due to improper disposal methods such as burning or open dumps. These practices, along with anthropogenic activities and poor sanitation infrastructure, contribute to water contamination, particularly in flood-prone areas near watercourses. The study developed participatory consensus-building models to simulate management scenarios, identifying potential solutions for waste and water quality issues. These findings offer insights applicable to other protected mountain landscapes facing similar challenges due to population growth, changing consumption patterns, and tourism.

Manfredi, E. C., Flury, B., Viviano, G., Thakuri, S., Khanal, S. N., Jha, P. K., Maskey, R. K., Kayastha, R. B., Kafle, K. R., Bhochhibhoya, S., Ghimire, N. P., Shrestha, B. B., Chaudhary, G., Giannino, F., Cartenì, F., Mazzoleni, S., & Salerno, F. (2010). Solid Waste and Water Quality Management Models for Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone, Nepal. Mountain Research and Development, 30(2), 127–142. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd-journal-d-10-00028.1