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Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:

Paul Lichtberger (2015): Hazardous waste management in a natural heritage site: A case study from the Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone in Nepal.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Meteorologie (BOKU-Met), BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur, pp 138. UB BOKU obvsg FullText

Data Source: ZID Abstracts

Abstract:: Waste and particularly hazardous waste management in natural heritage sites receives increasing attention by different stakeholders. This is particularly the case for the Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone (SNPBZ) in the Himalayas, which hosts the highest mountain peaks on earth and a larger number of habitants and international visitors. The SNPBZ comprises a unique ecosystem, embedded in a complex socio-cultural and religious setting. The aims of this thesis are 1) to investigate and assess the current situation of management of hazardous wastes (HW) in the Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone, and 2) to design and evaluate possible future solutions to overcome identified challenges. Data on waste generation, waste composition, and waste disposal practices were collected during field research in the SNPBZ by sorting analysis of wastes from waste collection and dumpsites. Based on this data, a material flow analysis (MFA) was applied to detected pathways of HW within the SNPBZ in order to determine negative impacts caused by contamination, in form of leachate, through inappropriate HW-management. The current situation was evaluated on basis of the national legal and financial situation regarding HW compared to international legislation. Finally, suggestions for improvement are discussed. The study shows that on average, HW in the SNPBZ is 1% of total wastes generated at sources. On dumpsites the share of HW increases to 6% of wastes disposed. The analysis of current waste management practices in the SNPBZ shows, that they do not meet the demands for safe waste management, adapted to local conditions. The first step to a safe HW management would be to anchor a specific definition of HW in the legislation of Nepal. The next step would be to install a hazardous waste collection system with the aim of storing the collected waste, in an adequate storing centre. A change in the public attitude towards HW would have the biggest impact.; Beurteilende(r): Kromp-Kolb Helga; 1.Mitwirkender: