Nepal: Joys of rafting on Bagmati reduced by garbage, debris on shores

Aug 22, 2022

Lalitpur (Nepal), Aug 22, 2022, (ANI): Dozens of rafts floated over the murky water of Bagmati along with two kayaks after monsoon rain wash off the garbage and debris increasing volume of water in the sacred river. Residents witnessed the scene on the edge of river mostly the squatters as the rafts headed down towards Sundarighat of Kathmandu from Kupondole of Lalitpur. The Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) had organized the rafting trip which covered a distance of about 5.5 kilometers as a part of 22ndBagmati River Festival celebration. The Bagmati River has religious and civilizational significance, over the years has become dirty, choked with black sewage, debris and trash, as efforts to clean the river have failed. The government under various scheme and projects already has invested about 15 Billion Nepali Rupees making attempts to clean the river which is losing its recognition.