Nepal Demolishes Riverbank Structures

Why this is here: The demolition campaign generated an estimated tens of thousands of tonnes of waste, with no clear plan for its disposal or reuse before the structures were removed.

The Balendra Shah administration in Nepal demolished 2,687 structures along riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley starting April 25. The campaign removed squatters from land along the Bagmati, Manohara, and Dhobikhola rivers, aiming to reclaim space for parks and housing. However, weeks after the demolition, officials have not detailed how the cleared land will be used.

The government intends to cover demolition debris with soil and plant greenery, but experts question the sustainability of this approach. They argue a comprehensive waste management plan—including reuse and recycling—should have preceded the demolition. Ragpickers currently collect metal from the rubble, and the cleared areas risk becoming eyesores or breeding grounds for disease.

A similar eviction in 2012 failed because of a lack of follow-through, leading to re-encroachment. Kathmandu Valley urgently needs more parks and open spaces, especially given its air pollution and limited green cover, but long-term planning remains unresolved. The work to utilize the reclaimed land continues.