KATHMANDU, July 19

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has not allocated budget for rooftop farming this fiscal.

Earlier in March, KMC had said rooftop farming would be introduced to 700 households. The households would be trained by a team of experts from the Environment Department of KMC to maintain sustainable rooftop farming as per the ‘rooftop farming training manual’ prepared by UN-Habitat.

Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of Environment Management Department at Kathmandu Metropolitan City said that three million rupees had been allocated for the project in the capital

But after the devastating quake of April 25, the scenario has completely changed. The metropolis has now shifted its focus to park improvement at Ratna Park, Ranipokhari and Balaju with a budget of Rs 35 million. The metropolis aims to create more open spaces and greenery for the ‘Green Kathmandu Campaign’ but has overlooked rooftop farming as a part of the campaign.

Rudra Singh Tamang, Chief Executive Officer at KMC said budget was not allocated for rooftop farming this fiscal due to the damage caused to the buildings by the April 25 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

“Rooftop farming cannot carried out in partially damaged and cracked buildings. Rooftop farming is directly related to roofs, verandahs, staircases, railings and boundary walls,” he said adding that rooftop farming can be kept aside from city farming and urban greenery plan in the aftermath of the quake.

Open spaces, parks, traffic islands, gardens, grounds and picnic spots are more important for safety concerns than rooftop farming during times of disaster.