Festive overconsumption: Economic boosts amid environmental concerns

During Nepal’s festive season, consumption surges, bringing mixed effects: economic benefits alongside environmental concerns.

Overconsumption is a situation where consumers overuse available goods and services. An easy distinction between regular consumption and overconsumption can be characterized by the quantity of goods and services consumed; consuming any amount more than what is essential or actually needed is overconsumption. It goes beyond just economic terminology—it’s a pattern that can strain both personal budgets and natural resources.

Festivals like Dashain and Tihar are celebrated with great anticipation, traditionally marked by buying new clothes, indulging in foods, and restocking households with decorative items. This period sees a significant increase in retail activity, with shops offering discounts to encourage more spending. As a result, Nepal sees a peak in consumption—often bordering on overconsumption—during this time.

According to sociologist Ramesh Parajuli, “Overconsumption during the festive season is apparent. It has become a trend in society to spend more during Dashain and Tihar.” He added: People tend to imitate each other; if one person spends a lot, others feel the need to do the same.

Roshana Shrestha, a wholesale shopkeeper in Baneshwor, noted increased sales of goods during Dashain, “During this festive season, sales are definitely higher. Packaged food items were sold more during Dashain, and for Tihar, people have already started to purchase dry fruits.”

Feasts during Dashain are often incomplete without meat. “Business peaks during Dashain and Tihar. Demand is very high, so we stock more accordingly,” said Sandip Lama, a meat seller from Sinamangal.

Sajina Kunwar, a consumer, said, “Consumption in my household is high during the festive season. However, due to the increasingly expensive prices in the market, we have been buying less than in previous years. The monthly budget for the household is definitely higher during Dashain and Tihar, maybe almost double.”

Overconsumption also affects the environment. According to the United Nations Environment Programme: “We are currently consuming more resources than ever, exceeding the planet’s capacity for generation.” As ecosystems are not able to keep up with excessive, growing resource extraction, overconsumption leads to deterioration of the natural world. The theory is straightforward; the more we consume, the more resources get depleted in order to produce what we consume. As natural resources are limited, and resources are depleted at a rate faster than they can replenish, overconsumption leads to deterioration of the environment.

According to findings from UN Environment’s Global Resources Outlook 2019, resource extraction has more than tripled since 1970. In recent years, urban expansion in Nepal has converted land use from agricultural to urban and peri urban settlements. The conversion rate of rural into urban areas jumped from 23 percent in 2014 to 66 percent in 2017. There is less land available for growing crops and raising livestock, reducing overall food production.

With reduced local agricultural capacity, urban areas often turn to imported food to meet demand. This increases the need for transportation, which consumes more fuel and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, further stressing the environment. To compensate for lost agricultural areas, new farmland is often carved out of natural ecosystems, like forests, leading to further environmental degradation and deforestation.

As we consume more, more waste is produced. About 3.32m people in 18 municipalities of the Kathmandu Valley generate more than 1,200 tons of municipal solid waste daily, most of it ending up in landfills, dumped in the open, or burnt at sources.

During the festive season, as consumption in Nepal peaks, so does the waste produced. Devendra Khadka, managing director of Action Waste Pvt Ltd, a waste collection and management company, said, “Obviously, more waste is collected during Dashain and Tihar. We categorize our waste as wet and dry. While the volume of both kinds of waste is higher during the peak festive season, wet waste is often even more. Wet waste consists of biodegradable waste such as from the kitchen, flowers and other things used for festivities.”

 

The current problem of waste management in Nepal makes the issue even worse. Madhukar Upadhya, climate change and climate finance expert, said, “Consumption during Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath is higher than the rest of the year, especially in terms of items used for worshiping, such as flowers and jamara, food items, kitchen waste, etc. Houses are deeply cleaned before Dashain. This results in more waste. Disposal of such waste is what raises concern for the environment.

“I see that some houses burn the wastes. This results in air pollution and has detrimental effects on the environment. Burning plastic has severe effects on the health of people. Disposal of waste in water bodies is another issue. During the festive season, this is even higher. If we look at the rivers in Kathmandu, they look more like sewage drainage than water bodies. Proper waste management is crucial, especially during times when waste collection is high.”

While buying a new pair of jeans, a chiffon saree or a box of sweets as a way to celebrate the festival could do no harm, the problem arises in mindless shopping. But what dictates how much consumption is too much?

Baburam Adhikari, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, said, “It is our culture to consume more and wear new clothes during the festive season. So the festive season is known to cause a surge in spending, driving demand in the market, and helping the economy flourish.”

A delivery driver from the courier service provider, Nepal Can Move, said orders double, even triple, during the festive season. Even international couriers to Nepal are also higher.

Some economists estimate that 40-70 percent of market activities take place during Dashain and Tihar. Increased demand supports local artisans and small businesses. Items for puja, including flowers and garlands, are in high demand, especially during Tihar, boosting domestic industries and supporting livelihoods.

Laxmi Magar, a tailor based in New Road said, “The number of orders almost doubles during Dashain and Tihar. The festive season is like a breath of fresh air in an otherwise challenging economic climate.”

For small business owners like Magar, the festive season is crucial for profitability. While festive overconsumption supports the economy, its environmental toll is concerning. To balance these impacts, sustainable consumption practices are essential. Small adjustments, such as thoughtful purchasing, reusing decorations, and responsible waste disposal, can help preserve Nepal’s natural resources. By adopting mindful consumption, Nepal can celebrate responsibly, ensuring both economic resilience and environmental health.