Vermicomposting; Requirements, Procedure and Advantages

Vermicomposting; Requirements, Procedure and Advantages

The Environment Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan city says, more than 60 % of the total municipal solid waste is organic degradable waste. Segregation of waste at source is the most important step for the solving solid waste problem of Capital. How can we manage organic waste in home? The answer is Vermicomposting.

Vermicomposting is the method of making compost which involves joint action of earthworm and microorganism.

The importance of vermicomposting can be summarized as -

      Management of organic waste

      Simple technology

      Eco-friendly

      Waste reduction at the source

And the advantages at glance are-

      Income generation

      High quality manure production

      Small place

      Odorless, if manage properly

All the earthworms may not be suitable for compost making. Some of the effective compost making worms are-

      Eisenia foetida

      Eudrillus eugineal

      Lumbricus rubellus

      Perionyx excavatus

      Perionyx fovatus

      Lampito mauritti

There are some characteristics of the worms which make this species suitable for composting. The characteristics of composting making worms are-

      Fast multiplying nature

      Simple and quick digestive system

      Silent nature

      Prefer garbage

The detail procedure of the vermicomposting can be summarized as follows-

1. Selection of container-

Following can be used as the container for vermicomposting-

v  Wooden box

v  Plastic bucket/box

v  Bamboo container (Tokari)

v  Cement ring

v  Tyre

v  Ceramic container

2. Making outlet-

3. Preparation & Placement of beds           

Materials that can be used for bedding are-

2.       Saw dust

3.       Paper

4.       Coconut coir

5.       Dry leaves

6.       Hay

7.       Clothes waste

8.       Jute sacs

4. Spreading of cow dung

5. Placement of compost making worms

6. Covering with organic waste

7. Covering the container

   Organic waste into compost.

     It is very important to know how to separate worms after the preparation of the compost. Following are the procedures for it- 

• Removal of Surface foods from the top

• Take prepared vermicompost/ turn the container upside down

• Arrange the contents (vermicompost) in a cone shape

• Leave for 10 minutes

• Let the worms gather at the bottom 
• Collect the vermicompost from the top
• Transfer the worms in a new container

The product can be sold at market-

There are few precautions for effective and sustainable vermicomposting. Some of them are-

ü  Temperature control/Food Quantity

ü  Water Quantity

ü  Light Intensity

ü  pH maintenance

ü  Change into new beds

ü  Control from enemies of worms

The other products of vermin technologies are vermin wash which is very fruitful in rooftop/indoor gardening.

World Meteorological day 2015; Climate Knowledge for Climate action

World Meteorological day 2015

The International Meteorological Organization was established at the first International Meteorological Congress in Vienna, Austria, in 1873. The organization aimed to establish meteorological station networks. These networks were linked by telegraph and improved weather forecasts. This contributed to shipping services' safety and efficiency.

The International Meteorological Organization became the World Meteorological Organization on March 23, 1950. It became the UN's specialized agency for meteorology, operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences in 1951.

The World Meteorological Organization plays a crucial role in contributing to people's safety and welfare. Its work is important in providing food security, water resources and transport. World Meteorological Day has been observed on March 23 each year since 1961.

The Theme for 20215 is-

"Climate Knowledge for Climate Action"

Some  themes of World Meteorological Day have been:

• Weather, climate and the air we breathe (2009). 

• Observing our planet for a better future (2008).

• Polar meteorology: Understanding global impacts (2007).

• Preventing and mitigating natural disasters (2006).

• Weather, climate, water and sustainable development (2005).

• Weather, climate, water in the information age (2004).

• Our future climate (2003).

                                                     

Global Divestment Rally- Kathmandu, Nepal

Divestment Rally-Kathmandu with umbrella to demand shift from ceasing fossil fuels to enduring clean energy

More than Five hundred youth participants were in rally demanding shift away from dirty old fossil fuel dinosaurs to the shining symbols of hope like wind mills and solar panels from Bhirikutimandap to Basantapur from 8:00-9:00am on Feb 14. During rally participants put up an umbrella to symbolize that peoples are not prioritizing sun energy (solar) and struggling hard for the fossil fuel.

   More than 500 rallies are happening in more than 50 countries spanning six continents on Feb 13/14 across the Globe to mark global divestment day calling for action. The divestment campaign highlights a conflict that most politicians are reluctant to address. If the world is to avoid catastrophic global warming, most known fossil fuel resources need to stay in the ground. As world leaders plan to gather in Paris later this year to attempt once again to secure a global deal to address the climate crisis, divestment provides the means to take back power from the fossil fuel industry and deliver a mandate for bold climate leadership before its too late.

  In Nepal, the Climate Change policy, 2011 focus on reduction in GHG emission, asks to promote clean Energy and encourage polluters pay system. The 13^th national plan directs to promote environment friendly energy sources.
As an Activist/Campaigner, I demand urgent action for shift from ceasing fossil fuels and want to say, “We demand Cash not the cheque”.

This program was jointly organized by Youth Alliance for Environment (YAE), KRIDARC Nepal, Youth Alliance for Disaster and Climate Resilience(YADC), Youth Red Cross Tri-chandra Onus Nepal, Cycle City Network Nepal, PowerShift Nepal, Micro-point Nepal, Youth for Disaster Risk Reduction(YDRR), Nepal Creative House, Environment Student Council, Tri-Chandra. ) .

Natural Resources and Climate Change through Human Right Prospective

Natural Resources and Climate Change through Human Right Prospective

  

With an example of Climate Change Refugee from a village; Dhe of Upper Mustang to Lower Mustang Mr. Krishna Lamsal from LI-BIRB, indicated that the Climate Change policy, 2011 of Nepal is silent on Human Right. He added that, the adaptation frame work adopted by Nepal is also not clear about HR even though it ask for participation of the marginalized group, women etc. The issue of HR came in existence in Climate talk during COP 16 whether UNFCCC already have the provision of CBDR and RC. In Nepal, same groups which are most vulnerable to CC impacts are found with violated HR.

Starting from ‘Right to Development’ of Vienna Convention to REDD mechanism and Right of Indigenous people, Mr. Sanot Adhikari of YAE shared about the prospective of HR in UN negotiations. Meanwhile he stated some statements of Bali Action Plan in relation to HR and the concept of green economy and sustainable development of Rio+20.

Mr. Kamal Sampag shared about the provision of ILO 169, Access in Benefit shearing (ABS), CBD, 1992, and demanded Indigenous Local Peoples (ILCs) Traditional Knowledge Focal Point in Ministry for significant implementation of the rectified provisions. He said that peoples of developing countries are being the victim of the air politics as a business in new colonialism and strongly mentioned that Indigenous peoples are not stakeholders, they are the right holders.

Mr. Dhanman Gurung shared about the Indigenous People(IP) focal point at Human Right Commission(HRC) and the reports of NIFIN. He urged to have a same level of understanding in case of the ILO provisions and other international treaties.

Mr. Bajrakishwor Yadav  from MoFSC, shared about the activities of ministry regarding CBD.

Dr. Purna Bdr. Nepali shared his view in Land context in UPR and debate in intellectual peoples circle. He pointed that how the Nepali Politicians whether they are Congress or Communist, leans to the policy of IMF and World Bank.

The DDR and CC specialist Mr. Man Bdr BK from Care Nepal shared the HR of the people during the Disasters and possible impacts of the Climate induced Disasters to the peoples. He shared about the Sphere Project.

Mr. Naresh Sharma from MoSTE said that Nepal have provision of spending 80% of Climate Budget at local Level. He shared about the effective participation of Nepal after Climate discussion at Indonesia, LAPA preparation and implementation, role of Nepal in cooperation and common understanding between LDCs being chair of it, raise of Mountain issue from SAARC, Climate Change council and policies of Nepal government to address the concerns of the poor and vulnerable people. 

The views were expressed on a consultation meeting on Natural Resource and Climate Change through HR prospective  organized by National Forum for Advocacy Nepal (NAFAN) in order to prepare report to UN Human Right Council for Universal Periodic Review-2015 by the side of civil society. 

Saving Himalaya, Saving Human Being

Saving Himalaya, Saving Human Being

On second February, i got chance to attain a program at Resource Himalayan foundation organised by Environment Graduates in Himalaya (EGH). 

Dr Ar Sumitra Amatya, was the guest speaker of Pralad Yonzon Conservation Forum (XXXVII). She is CEO of Solid Waste Management Technical Service Center/Ministry of Urban Development. Her presentation entitled “Saving Himalaya, Saving Human Being” attracted me and many participants on that day.

Dr Amatya shared how even space is being polluted and politics is linked with waste issues. She explained the disposal of waste by the rich in an irresponsible manner has compelled the poor to suffer from serious global problems such as climate change, global warming etc. According to her, Mt. Everest, our pride and major tourist destination spot in Nepal is being degraded day by day and has lost its beauty due to the unman aged waste disposal by the expediters. She stated that the lack of strict implementation of rules on waste management in such tourist hub is making our tourist site unhealthy for the visitors. She also requested to raise voice against the uncivilized way of waste disposal and that the “Landfill Sites” should be renamed as “Resource Recovery Centers” which gives a meaningful sense in waste management. She focused on 5Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair & Reject) and 3Es (Environment, Efficiency and Economics). She appealed everyone to start from oneself to change the world.

The programme was concluded with vote of thanks by Mr. Umesh K Mandal, Board Member, Resources Himalaya Foundation.

Meanwhile as a participant of the series, i raised a question about the upcoming plans of her Department and effective implementation of the rules with reference of recent government decisions.
Other participants also questioned about the accountability and government functioning. 
It was a nice discussion and i want to thank both EGH and Dr. Amatya.

Coffee- packed in Italy, brought to gift for a American, prepared by Australian, shared with Nepalese in Bhanjyang, Panchase Kaski, Nepal

 Coffee- packed in Italy, brought to gift for a American, prepared by Australian, shared with Nepalese in Bhanjyang, Panchase, Kaski Nepal

Matt prepared coffee for all of us at Bhanjyang, Panchase. He said that, the coffee was actually brought to gift someone else on occasion of Birthday but unfortunately, she was not there.

He is from Australia and working as a English teacher. He had been there at Bhanjyang and Panchase several time and want to have trek in different other places of Nepal.

I think,It was the Christmas morning of 2014 and It was awesome morning.