rafted from thapathali bridge to chobhar

Kathmandu, Sat, 23 August 2025

The Miss Nepal contestants took part in rafting on the Bagmati River on Saturday as part of the ongoing Bagmati River Festival Maha Jal Jatra. The event was jointly organized by the Nepal River Conservation Organisation, Friends Club, and the Bagmati Safai Campaign.

The contestants rafted from Thapathali Bridge to Chobhar, drawing attention to the river’s untapped potential for eco-tourism. On the occasion, they stressed the government’s responsibility in protecting the Bagmati River, while also highlighting rafting in Kathmandu as an opportunity to attract both domestic and foreign visitors.

The rafting journey covered a 5.5-kilometre stretch from Thapathali to Sundarighat, with 12 rafts and two kayaks navigating the river. The event also saw the participation of Urban Development Minister Metmani Chaudhary, Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, environmental activists, and representatives from various sectors, underscoring a collective call for river conservation.

Since 2001, the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) has been organizing the Bagmati River Festival annually to raise awareness about the importance of keeping rivers clean. Despite its profound religious and civilizational significance, the Bagmati River has long suffered from pollution, sewage discharge, and unmanaged waste, with cleanup efforts struggling to restore it to its natural state.

Social activist Mala Kharel, associated with the Bagmati Civilisation Campaign, remarked that regular rafting in Kathmandu marks a historic step, symbolizing both cultural revival and environmental responsibility.