KATHMANDU: Total 6,000 tree saplings were planted so far under the Bagmati River clean-up mega campaign. Such a number of saplings were planted on the Bagmati riverbank in 12 years.

At a special program organized on the occasion of 12th years of the launch of the mega campaign here today, campaigner and former Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal said such number of saplings were planted on the riverbanks along with cleanup drive.

“Many people had planted saplings, but we raised them. We have given a life to almost dead river, but it is not done as per expectation”, he mentioned.

The former Chief Secretary shared that it was a big achievement to get continuity to the campaign.
Around 21,000 metric tons of waste were collected from Bagmati riverbank so far.

Similarly, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hit Bahadur Tamang, pointed out the need for continuing the Bagmati River clean-up campaign and concerned state bodies should make a practical plan for the cleaning drive.

Stating that public awareness about the drive should be increased, he expressed commitment to take necessary initiatives from the ministry for it.

Likewise, Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development, Maniram Gelal, assured of making Bagmati free of sewerage, adding they have eased the traffic management by constructing corridor along the Bagmati River.

The mega campaign had begun on May 19, 2013.

A total of 200 campaigners participated in today’s clean-up campaign near the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology.