KATHMANDU, Dec 20: In a bid to promote rooftop farming in the capital city, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) organized a workshop to showcase their concepts, existing practices and cases of rooftop gardening in the city on December 20.
Along with the KMC office, various environmental organizations like UN-Habitat, RUAF Foundation, Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ Nepal), Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO) and ISET-Nepal presented their reports about the developing trends in rooftop farming, its benefit, impact on health and environment, among others, in the workshop organized by the KMC office at Hotel Himalaya.
“Rooftop gardening is gaining popularity among Kathmanduties as it is suitable for the city,” said Kishor Thapa, secretary at Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD). “It´s a very good start by the office and the government is also ready to incorporate it into its policies. This will set an example for other cities of our country.”
According to the Chief of Environment Management Division of the KMC, Rabin Man Shrestha, the KMC office has set aside Rs 2 million in their yearly budget for 500 households in the capital city. Along with the budget, UN-Habitat and RUAF Foundation is providing them with Rs 2 million.
Similarly, RUAF Foundation gave them Rs 1 million for the publicity of rooftop gardening, policy-making and international meetings.
“We have been organizing various programs to encourage rooftop gardening in the capital city,” said Sadhu Ram Bhattarai, chief of the KMC Environment Department.
“We are also encouraging them to make compost manure from the waste generated at their homes. In this way, huge quantities of household refuses can be minimized at the domestic level and people can save money as well.”
Published on 2013-12-21 01:48:06
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