Kathmandu. KATHMANDU, April 26: The government had started removing squatters from various riverbanks and on public land since April 26 in the Kathmandu Valley.

In the meantime, the unsystematic settlements in Manohara, Gairigaon, Balkhu, Teku, Balaju and other areas have been removed.The evicted sites are now completely open and empty. The nature of the encroached river banks and public use lands has also changed after these areas were vacated.

Giving priority to the conservation of the Bagmati and its tributaries, environmental improvement and urban management, the bodies concerned have taken forward various works for the conservation and management of the vacant lands.

The High Powered Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee, Kathmandu Valley Development Authority and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) have jointly been carrying out the construction and monitoring of the vacant areas with the objective of conservation, green ery, management of the river bank and preventing re-encroachment ।

For the long-term conservation of river banks and public lands, fencing, tree plantation, pedestrian path s, beautification and regular monitoring programs have been implemented.Security and surveillance have also been tightened to prevent illegal settlements in the evacuated areas.

The government agencies have said that they will continue the campaign with the aim of protecting the river system, maintaining the environmental balance and ensuring the proper use of public property.The bodies concerned are actively working with the goal of bringing the vacant areas for systematic public use and improving the urban environment of the Kathmandu Valley. See