Dhading, March 18

On the eve of World Water Day, Trishuli Save Sajha Network has launched a campaign to save the Trishuli River.

As a part of the campaign, the network conducted rafting with national flag and panchebaja in the Trishuli River for the first time today.

Setting out to spread awareness on keeping the river clean, hundreds of campaigners went on trek, carrying the national flag and playing the panchebaja, from Adamghat to Belkhukhola Dhobhan. Many also went for rafting from Blekhudobhan to Malekhu in Trishuli to spread awareness.

The organisers said that foot trek and rafting were conducted to attract youths to rafting by keeping Trishuli neat and clean. Tourism entrepreneurs fear that Trishuli might lose tourists due to the increasing contamination of the river.  The Trishuli River is considered the safest river for rafting in Nepal. “If the government could lend some support to this project and keep the river clean, this spot could attract thousands of tourists annually,” said Bhimsmaraj Thapaliya, owner of Core Adventure Nepal Private Limited.

The campaign to save the Trishuli River has set a charter of demands, including development of the river as religious and historical place. Natural heritage Conservation Committee Shrawan Kumar Tripathi said that the campaign was aimed at stopping the excavation in the river, establishing locals’ rights to the river water, among others.

Locals said that the Trishuli River water was fit for drinking, even directly from the river, a decade ago. However, the water has been contaminated and it is no longer possible to drink it without filtering.