NEPALGUNJ: A Green Campaign has been initiated in Nepalgunj to maintain balance in the environment that has been degrading due to rising temperature and repercussions of mismanaged urbanisation.

Nepalgunj is one of the hottest cities in the country where maximum temperature generally shoots up above 40 degrees Celsius in the summer.

According to Mayor of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, Dhawal Shumsher Rana, saplings of various trees would be planted along the roadside in every street of the sub-metropolis in coordination with local organisations.

Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Green Club Nepal, B Group among others have been coordinating efforts with the sub-metropolis for the campaign.

The campaign aims to transform Nepalgunj into a Green City within four years, said Mayor Rana, adding that alternatives would be sought for planting saplings in narrow roads of the city.

Saplings were planted alongside the road stretching from Ranjha to Jamunaha of Nepalgunj-Surkhet road section under the first phase of the campaign.

Furthermore, every house being built in the city has to compulsorily plant a sapling, as per the Green Campaign. Mayor Rana said that the city was conducting research on whether this regulation has been enforced strictly and those not abiding by the 'One House One Tree' rule would be deprived of all facilities to be rendered by the sub-metropolis.

Rapid urbanisation and population growth, among other causes, have been contributing to the rise in the city's temperature.