1,120 kg waste cleared from Bagmati river

The Volunteer for Change (VFC) Youth Cohort of Lalitpur successfully led the final river clean-up campaign under Project CAP, making a lasting impact at the Bagmati River in Bungamati. The event, which saw 75 participants, including 22 Nepal Army personnel, four Armed Police Force officers, and volunteers from the Rotary Club Balaju, resulted in the collection of an impressive 1,120 kilograms of waste from the riverbanks.

The campaign was part of Project CAP (Collaborative Approach for Preventing Plastic Leakages in Rivers of Nepal), a joint initiative aimed at combating plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices. Funded by the PLEASE (Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia) Project and implemented by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme, with support from the World Bank and UNOPS, the project has been a crucial step toward protecting Nepal's rivers.

Trained under Project CAP, the VFC Youth Cohort played a pivotal role in organizing the clean-up, showcasing the vital role of youth in environmental action. Jamadar Ishwari P. Bhattarai from the Nepal Army also participated in the event, underscoring the importance of collaboration across different sectors to address plastic waste.

"This cleanup wasn’t just about removing waste from the riverbanks; it was about fostering community action and inspiring others to carry forward the mission of sustainability," said a representative from the youth cohort.

Though this marks the final clean-up campaign under Project CAP, the broader initiatives of the project continue, focusing on empowering communities and tackling plastic pollution at its source.