KATHMANDU: The Bagmati Clean-up Mega Campaign has completed its 687th week, continuing its long-running initiative under the slogan, “Two hours of volunteer service a week for the nation.”
During Saturday’s clean-up, volunteers collected around two metric tonnes of non-biodegradable waste from the banks of the Bagmati River, covering the stretch from Sinamangal to Baneshwor Campus in Kathmandu Metropolitan City wards 9 and 31.
According to campaign volunteer Dr. Mala Kharel, the collected non-biodegradable waste was transported for disposal by a truck from the Environment Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Biodegradable waste was buried along the riverbank to be used as compost for plants.
The campaign saw participation from local elected representatives, volunteers, employees of the High-Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization, and residents of Gairigaun, Baneshwor Campus and the Sano Phalame Bridge area.
During the programme, lapsi and avocado saplings provided by Ward No. 9 member Tek Raj Adhikari were planted along the riverbank. A lapsi sapling was also planted to mark the birthday of campaign volunteer Narayan Kumar Shrestha, campaign member Kishor Singh Shahi said.
The Bagmati Clean-up Mega Campaign began on May 18, 2013, and has been conducted every Saturday morning for two hours. Organisers said the campaign has continued uninterrupted despite adverse conditions, including extreme weather, the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, and is carried out even during festivals.
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