Tourism Info Nepal

Annapurna Conservation Area Launches Long-Term Waste Management Campaign in Mustang

Annapurna Conservation Area Launches Long-Term Waste Management Campaign in Mustang

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has initiated a comprehensive waste management campaign with the goal of protecting and developing garbage-free villages, towns, and tourist destinations. The project aims to establish sustainable tourism zones while preserving the natural environment in the Gandaki Province, encompassing five districts under its jurisdiction.

ACAP’s Jomsom Office, in collaboration with local organizations, started managing accumulated waste in Mustang from Thursday. Pramodraj Regmi, head of the Jomsom Office, highlighted that this initiative aligns with ACAP’s mission to maintain cleanliness and efficiency in tourist destinations, trekking routes, and villages.

Key Efforts in Waste Management

ACAP has partnered with local mother groups, conservation management committees, subcommittees, tourism entrepreneurs, and local municipalities to manage waste effectively. Regmi emphasized that the project prioritizes this campaign to ensure a pollution-free district and a tourist-friendly environment, promoting the health of residents and visitors alike.

As part of the initiative, waste collected in Ghorepani’s Ward 5, Thini, and Ward 3, Syang, has been transported by truck for processing. Recyclable materials such as 54 sacks of plastic and metal waste, along with 1,239 kilograms (26 cartons) of glass waste, have been sent to Green Road Waste Management Company in Pokhara for recycling.

Regmi expressed gratitude to local citizens, tourism workers, mother groups, and conservation committees for their active participation in this long-term campaign.

Collaborative Approach and Environmental Goals

The campaign calls for collective action from individuals, households, and communities. ACAP urges residents to manage, collect, and classify waste properly before depositing it at nearby collection centers for safe handling. The organization has committed to regularly collecting waste from these centers for recycling.

ACAP’s waste management programs are active not only in Mustang but also in Myagdi, Kaski, Manang, and Lamjung. This initiative supports the development of pollution-free, environmentally friendly towns, aiming to enhance tourism and contribute to economic prosperity.

Mustang’s Local Initiatives Against Waste

Mustang’s Gharpajhong Rural Municipality has implemented a ban on glass materials, including branded beverages packaged in glass bottles, for the past two years. Chairman Mohan Singh Lalchan revealed that the municipality has also initiated measures to reduce the use of plastic bags, encouraging the adoption of cloth bags bearing the municipality’s logo.

These efforts by ACAP and local authorities are expected to strengthen environmental sustainability, attract tourists, and ensure the health and well-being of local communities.

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