Kathmandu, July 25

A separate act is being mooted for effective implementation of the action plan of the High-Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilisation.

At a discussion programme here today, concerned stakeholders pointed out the need for a separate law to overcome challenges seen in the development and preservation of the Bagmati civilisation.

Speaking at the programme Minister for Urban Development and Committee Chairperson Prabhu Sah said a separate act would be introduced for the preservation of the Bagmati civilisation.

On the occasion, Minister Sah floated a proposal to form a five-member task force to develop a preliminary draft of the act after holding discussion with concerned stakeholders.

Minister Sah shared the new act should also incorporate other rivers flowing through the Valley.

The Bagmati River is becoming increasingly polluted due to direct channeling of water into the river.

The Bagmati Clean-up campaign has made no significant gains in making the Bagmati River pollution-free despite huge investment and participation by government officials and civil society representatives in the cleaning campaign.

On the occasion, Environment Protection Committee Chair Geeta Chhetri said a separate act should be brought to deal with the challenges seen in preserving the Bagmati civilisation.

Lawmaker Rameswor Phuyal said construction of open space and green parks and development of urban infrastructure were resulting in encroachment of the Bagmati River.

Lawmaker Chandra Maharjan of Lalitpur stressed the need to preserve water resources, control river pollution and put in place proper drainage system for proper management of human settlements in Kathmandu Valley.

National Planning Commission member Dr Sunil Babu Shrestha, Secretary Dipendranath Sharma, Gokarneswor Municipality Mayor Santosh Chalise, Kageswori Municipality Mayor Krishna Hari Thapa, among others, also expressed their views at the programme.