KATHMANDU: With the increased number of squatters dwellers on the Bagmati riverbank in Thapathali, the site has witnessed more garbage.

In a study carried out by a high-powered committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization, there were a total of 137 households two years ago in the Thapathali area. However, the Bagmati cleanup mega campaign found the increase of 12 houses reaching 149 while conducting riverbank cleanup and inspection of squatters’ settlement, Member of Board of Directors Dr Mala Kharel said.

Additional temporary structures were built on the riverbank due to poor management of squatters’ settlements. During the cleanup campaign along with the inspection and study of the squatters’ settlement, the quantity of garbage was also found to increase of late.

On Saturday, over 100 individuals, including Chairman of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward No 11 Hiralal Tandukar and other campaigners, were present at the inspection.

Likewise, Dr Laxmi Poudel-led team collected garbage from the Bagmati River near Shankhamul area. The campaigners took part in the sanitation activities by following the health protocol and maintaining social distancing.

Similarly, the Bagmati River above the Guheshwori was cleaned on the 401st week on Saturday and the campaigners managed the decomposable garbage by burying it. The non-decomposable wastes would be used to make brick by keeping in bottles, campaigner Uttam Pudasaini said.

On Saturday, Manohara cleanup and heritage protection citizen campaign reached 230th week. The campaign managed waste materials from Koteshwor area to Jadibuti Chowk. Campaigners said that Rudramati, Bishnumati, Godabari and north and west section of ring road areas were being cleaned in the recent weeks in the Kathmandu Valley.