Kathmandu, February 16:

Locals of Basantapur area have decided to clear the illegal shops erected on pavements and ban mobile food shops being operated at the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square area.

Organising a press meet today, the Federation of Kathmandu Durbar Square Management and Conservation (FKDSMC), a coalition of 16 local clubs, said a meeting between the local clubs, political parties and other related stakeholders have decided to ban illegal shops running in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Wards No 19, 20, 23 and 25 that lies within the protected monument zone recognised by the UNESCO.

After the KMC closed the night market at the area from February 8, the FKDSMC said that ban on every illegal activity in the area is needed to protect cultural ambience of the area.

Manoj Newa Khadgi, president of FKDSMC, said such activities have not merely tainted the image of the area that lies in the world heritage site, but has also encouraged criminal and offensive activities.

In a bid to reach a consensus against such activities in the Durbar Square area among the locals and the shopkeepers of the area, FKDSMC has decided to organise a meet at Basantapur Dabali tomorrow. Khadgi said: “All the businessmen would close down their shops and take part in the meet along with locals to save the historical area.”

The night market at the area has been shut after a long effort, said Naresh Bir Shakya, chief advisor of FKDSMC, adding locals and the KMC should coordinate with each other.