Kathmandu: UNDP Nepal, with support from the Coca-Cola Foundation and in partnership with the Lumbini Development Trust and Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, organized a waste management and plastic circularity awareness program for Buddha Jayanti.
The initiative targeted visitors within and around the World Heritage Site—the birthplace of Gautam Buddha in Lumbini—and was implemented across eight strategic locations.
More than 80 volunteers, comprising youth groups, mother groups, and waste workers, actively participated in the campaign. They promoted proper waste disposal practices by encouraging visitors to segregate waste into designated bins for plastics and biodegradable materials.
Lila Pieters Yahia, UN Nepal Resident Coordinator, observed the awareness campaign at the Peace Flame area, where she interacted with youth volunteers and commended their efforts. She also underscored the importance of such awareness initiatives and acknowledged ongoing waste management efforts in Lumbini.
In addition, Dol Prasad Aryal, Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Khadak Raj Poudel, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal, were briefed on UNDP’s waste management initiatives in Lumbini, including the establishment of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Speaker Aryal and Minister Poudel, also interacted with youth volunteers involved in the awareness campaign and encouraged them to continue their commendable work.
