The first residential Training of Trainers on GESIwas organized from 28-30 October where several aspects offacilitation skills along with Gender and Social Inclusion mainstreaming were discussed. During session, subject matter experts from different organizations talked about various aspects of GESI. Expert Ramesh Man Shakya delivered a session on facilitation skills to the participants while GESI expert Kalpana Pradhan and Basanti Roshan Shrestha talked on Gender and importance of gender mainstreaming in BRBIP. Similarly, experts Rajani Rajbhandari and Bishnu Khatri conducted session on Gender Matrix Analysis and GESI case study preparations.

Addressing the closing ceremony of GESI ToT, Project Director of BRBIP Aashih Ghimire shed light on the role of community volunteers for the mobilization of the community. “Bagmati River is the symbol of civilization and we need to work jointly to improve the environmental condition of Bagmati River and this training would add value in this milestone,” said Ghimire.

Team Leader of Solid Waste Management and Social Mobilization Package of BRBIP from Integrated Development Society Nepal (IDS), Prabha Pokhrel expressed her expectation that the participating community leaders/volunteers will be able to deliver the message to the community by conducting series of such training in project area.

Convener of Bagmati Beautification Concern Platform (BBCP) appreciated the steps of BRBIP to empower the community people to better manage the river corridor. Total 25 community representative selected from 18 different wards of KMC, Gokarneswor and Kageswori Manohara Municipality participated in the ToT.

Similarly, the second residential ToT on Solid Waste Management was organized from 2-4 November in Dakshinkali, participated by 25 community leaders and social workers. During session, the experts from the related field gave concrete idea of Solid Waste Management in household level. Basically, the training was focused on 3R principle i. e. reduce, reuse and recycle as a tools of waste management. Participants and experts agreed that the existing waste which is being taken to land field site can be reduced by two third if it is segregated in source. The bio-degradable waste can be used for composting and thus can promote the organic farming in household/community level.

During session several options of composting including SAGA composting, Vermi Composting were discussed with practical session. Experts Deepak Lohoni, Andanda Shobha Tamrakar and Dr. Sumitra Amatya highlighted the techniques, tools of waste management, waste segregation, composting. Similarly, Sanu Maiya Maharjan imparted her skills on roof top gardening and composting.

Expressing his satisfaction over the completion of Solid Waste Management session, Project Director of BRBIP Aashish Ghimire appreciated the steps taken by the team. He also made formal commitment to support the community leaders who are keen to work closely with community on waste management by offering those necessary bins and resources. He also handed over the Training certificates to the participants.