Category Events

Bagmati Clean-Up Mega Campaign Enters Its 13th Year with Renewed Commitment to a Greener Nepal

Kathmandu, May 30, 2025 — In a remarkable display of environmental dedication, the Bagmati Clean-Up Mega Campaign marked the beginning of its 13th year with a special celebration at Ananda Pashupati, beside the sacred Bagmati River in Kathmandu. Over the past 12 years, this people-powered movement has become a symbol of civic responsibility, ecological consciousness, and community-driven action.

The commemorative event was graced by the presence of Hon. Minister for Forest and Environment, Mr. Ain Bahadur Shahi, who formally inaugurated the program by planting Peepal and Banyan saplings on the riverbank. This symbolic act also launched this year’s ambitious mission: the planting of 13,000 trees, further solidifying the campaign’s commitment to urban greening and ecosystem restoration.

Adding to the milestone, the campaign’s official website was launched, providing a digital platform for public engagement, volunteer registration, and awareness-raising about the environmental mission.

Prominent campaigners presented a detailed overview of the Bagmati Clean-Up Campaign’s evolution — from a grassroots river-cleaning initiative to a nationwide symbol of environmental stewardship. Among the presenters were activists Chakrabahadur Chand and Mala Kharel, who outlined the campaign’s goals, impacts, and continued need for community and policy support.

The event featured powerful messages from Actress Suhana Thapa, who emphasized the importance of artistic voices in promoting environmental awareness, and Hon. MP Kusum Devi Thapa, Chairperson of the Cooperative and Natural Resources Committee. MP Thapa called for deeper institutional collaboration and policy-level support for such citizen-led movements.

In recognition of public participation, 13 individuals were honored by Minister Shahi through the symbolic handover of tree coupons. The minister also announced a significant pledge: the Ministry of Forest and Environment will provide 13,000 saplings to support this year’s tree-planting initiative. He affirmed that the government would align with the campaign’s vision by offering policy support and integrating it into national environmental strategies.

As the campaign steps into its 13th year, it stands as a powerful example of sustained civic engagement. Its impact is visible not just in cleaner riverbanks, but in the shifting attitudes of thousands of volunteers, policymakers, and citizens toward environmental responsibility.

The Bagmati Clean-Up Mega Campaign continues to inspire a nation with its call to action:
“Let’s keep our rivers clean and our cities green.”

#BagmatiCleanup #13YearsStrong #GreenNepal #CleanEnvironment #TreePlantingCampaign #NepalForNature #EcoMovement #TogetherForBagmati

Kathmandu, April 5 — The Bagmati Cleaning Campaign has achieved a historic milestone, completing 621 consecutive weeks of environmental activism aimed at restoring the sacred Bagmati River. Over the past 12 years, more than 21,000 metric tons of waste have been removed through the unwavering dedication of over 1.5 million volunteers, including the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and numerous community groups.

What began as a local initiative has now spread to 20 cleanup sites within the Kathmandu Valley and over 100 locations across Nepal. Despite this remarkable progress, campaigners stress the urgent need for stronger support from local governments to maintain momentum and improve long-term sustainability.

As the campaign nears its 13th anniversary, it continues to grapple with significant challenges such as untreated sewage, hazardous waste disposal, and rapid urbanization—threats that not only harm the river’s ecosystem but also endanger nearby cultural heritage sites.

The Bagmati Cleaning Campaign stands as a powerful example of collective civic responsibility. However, continued success will depend on deeper collaboration among government agencies, local authorities, and communities to protect and revive one of Nepal’s most vital natural and cultural lifelines.