CHITWAN: Devghat Dham, one of the five most sacred religious sites in Palpa and Chitwan region, has been declared a plastic-free zone.
The Devghat Area Development Committee, in coordination with three local governments, Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Gaindakot Municipality and Devghat Rural Municipality, has taken the initiative to free the holy site from plastic waste.
Devghat spans 5,434 hectares, and the move to declare it a plastic-restricted zone has been supported technically by an organization named Sahamati, according to Committee Chairperson Dr. Ishwari Raj Laudari.
He said the effort aims to preserve the sanctity of the pilgrimage site and spread the message that “rivers are an integral part of our civilization”, highlighting the need to protect them from pollution.
With rivers across the country increasingly impacted by pollution, authorities fear Devghat could face similar threats in the future. To prevent this, local governments have jointly advanced the plan to officially announce Devghat as a plastic-free area soon.
Sahamati Chairperson Homanath Subedi said the organization has been working on Narayani River conservation as part of its “Hami Abhiyan,” and Devghat’s cultural and religious importance makes it a priority area for pollution control.
The Devghat Area Development Committee added that infrastructure works — including a waste collection center, public toilets, and drinking water facilities — have also been prepared in support of the plastic-free declaration.
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