Kathmandu, Aug. 13 -- At noon on Monday, the Kalimati vegetable market was largely empty. Over 500 wholesale outlets, which sell a variety of vegetables, had almost packed up for the day. At Kalimati, the rush is in the morning, when traders and shoppers come to pick up vegetables to sell during the day.

But the northern portion of this vegetable market was buzzing with activity. Under a temporary space covered by a corrugated zinc roof, a massive pile of rotten, stale and unsold vegetables was festering. In the hot sun, an unbearable stink rose from the heap, but about a dozen women rooting about among the discarded vegetables didn't seem to mind.

Even as a man came up to them, his cart piled high with trash and vegetables to throw awa...