KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an order to completely halt cremations in the Sleshmantak forest area of Pashupati within a year.

In the final hearing of a writ petition filed by lawyer Deepak Bikram Mishra six years ago, a division bench comprising Justices Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada and Nahakul Subedi, on January 21, issued an order to explore alternative sites for cremation in the forest area designated for such purposes.

“The identification of a suitable alternative site for cremation and its relocation must be ensured within a year from the date of this order, aiming to cease cremations in the Sleshmantak forest area from the subsequent year,” the verdict stated.

Furthermore, the SC directed to establish a system to prevent the accumulation of any waste within the premises of Pashupati.