KATHMANDU: Continuous erosion caused by the Bagmati River has put several houses east of Taudaha at risk, raising concerns over the future of one of the Kathmandu Valley’s major tourist destinations.
Taudaha, located in Kirtipur Municipality-6, has come under increasing threat after the Bagmati changed its course over the past two years and began eroding the western riverbank. The erosion has endangered settlements on the eastern and southern sides of the lake.
Local resident Milan Khadka said the situation has become increasingly serious.
“Settlements east of Taudaha are now at risk due to the river’s erosion. Water from the lake has already started seeping through the eastern embankments. If timely measures are not taken, the very existence of Taudaha could be threatened,” he said.
According to Khadka, Lalitpur Metropolitan City has constructed a retaining wall on the opposite bank of the Bagmati, causing the river to erode only the western bank.
The area also faces erosion from a seasonal stream flowing from the Dudhpokhari area in Kirtipur Municipality-4, further worsening the situation.
Another local resident, Anjil Khadka, said the lack of coordinated efforts between local governments has hampered erosion control. While Dakshinkali Municipality has built protective walls on the southern side of the stream, he said Kirtipur Municipality has yet to take similar initiatives.
Meanwhile, locals say efforts to construct embankments and retaining walls have been delayed due to unresolved boundary demarcation issues. Although different government agencies have allocated budgets for erosion control, the funds often remain unused because the exact jurisdiction has not been determined, making contractors reluctant to begin construction.
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