The Bagmati Cleaning Campaign has reached a remarkable milestone, completing 611 weeks of continuous efforts to rejuvenate the Bagmati River. Over the past decade, the initiative has removed more than 21,000 metric tons of waste, thanks to the collective efforts of over 1.5 million volunteers, including the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police, and various community organizations.
This initiative has also expanded beyond the Kathmandu Valley, with clean-up activities in 20 local sites and over 100 additional locations nationwide. However, campaigners emphasize the need for greater support from local governments to enhance efficiency and sustain long-term progress.
As it approaches its 13th year, the campaign continues to face challenges from untreated sewage, hazardous waste disposal, and unchecked urbanization, which have degraded the river’s ecosystem and endangered cultural landmarks like the Looking ahead, the Bagmati Cleaning Campaign serves as a testament to what collective action can achieve. However, addressing the remaining challenges will require stronger collaboration between the government, local authorities, and communities to ensure the continued success of this vital environmental initiative.
