KATHMANDU: Minister for Urban Development Arjun Narshingha KC felicitated former Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal amid a programme here today.

Paudyal, the newly appointed Nepali Ambassador to China, was honoured for his contribution for spearheading the clean-up campaigns of the major rivers in Kathmandu Valley, including the Bagmati and its tributaries, and those across the country.

At a programme jointly organised by Pudasaini Maitri Society and 'Ramro Jorpati, Hamro Jorpati', Minister KC shared that the government was effortful to introduce a special action plan, aiming to clean-up and conserve rivers.

On the occasion, parliamentarians Rameshower Phuyal and Deepak Kuinkel demanded compensation for the locals in Gokarna and Guiheshowri as the High-Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilisation (HPCIDBC) acquired their land to construct roads.

Meanwhile, Paudyal expressed his confidence that the clean-up drive for other rivers across the country would be headed more effectively.

The HPCIDBC Chairperson Kishor Kumar Shakya said that the Committee was towards promoting greenery along the Bagmati riverbanks.