By Narayan Prasad Mishra I often recall our time living in the Tribhuvan University's Professor's Quarter at Sundarighat, Kirtipur, in 1971, where 20 residences were built for that purpose under the Indian Cooperation Mission in 1970, whenever I see the floodwaters around Balkhu Chok, where I reside now. As a longtime resident of Sundarighat and Balkhu, situated along the riverbanks, I have closely observed the life and nature of our rivers. My late beloved wife, Shanti Mishra, renowned as the First Lady professional librarian of our country and the founder librarian of the Tribhuvan University Central Library, and I cherished our mornings by the sacred river, revering it as God Narayan in our tradition. The rivers were clean, and they had natural beauty, adorned with willow trees on both banks and frequented by various birds, especially kingfishers, cranes, and eagles, with fertile green agricultural fields around. We all know that those rivers are no longer rivers. They have lost the beauty they once had long ago and are now more accurately described as sewage and drainage channels due to extensive pollution.  Everyone who closely observes rivers sees the water flow from one edge to another in the Kathmandu Valley during the rainy season. Conversely, very little water is seen during winter and the dry season. Rivers even overflow their banks, crossing the river boundary marked by willow trees (Bais Rukh) during heavy rains and floods. However, this situation is short-lived, and the rivers mostly remain within their boundaries, known as the river area. This fluctuation occurs because our rivers receive much more water during the rainy season and significantly less water at other times. The recent flood on July 31, 2024, affected the Bagmati River area, which I observed from my property in Balkhu, situated along the Bagmati River banks since 1969 (B.S. 2026). Later, this area was constrained by the construction of retaining walls. The flow of the river should not be constricted by retaining walls or used for other purposes, such as roads, drains, or sewage, based on the reduced water levels seen during the dry season. This understanding is widely shared, making expert opinion unnecessary. Unfortunately, our rivers have lost their beauty and sanctity in many areas due to the absence of natural boundaries like willow trees, substandard retaining walls, sewage contamination, encroachments by squatters, and unnatural constructions. This transformation has led to rivers being converted into canals without adherence to scientific standards and management. The damage made by the recent floods entering the residential area proved it.  The people of the Kathmandu Valley constructed drains and sewage systems in the name of development with financial support from various offices like the Municipality, the Water and Sewage Office, and international organizations such as International Planned Parenthood, which discharged sewage into the rivers decades ago. Additionally, under the leadership of Mayor Keshab Sthapit, the Kathmandu Municipality began dumping garbage along riverbanks where no proper waste disposal sites existed and built roads along the riverside, significantly contributing to river pollution in Kathmandu. Following that, the Bagmati Development Office, under the guise of experts and engineers, began erecting retaining walls in rivers, altering their natural flow and converting them into canals, facilitating land encroachments by squatters. This period also saw the rise of a corrupt government that turned a blind eye to riverside land encroachments, allowing the construction of shelters and houses, which turned the rivers into toilets. These are the primary causes of the suffering endured by our people due to river pollution and flooding in the Kathmandu Valley. We can undoubtedly hold governments and people in positions of power accountable for this misfortune because they bear the responsibility of ensuring good governance and effective management in the country. Those who neglected their duties are undoubtedly to blame.  Above: These pictures from 2021 capture the flood in the Bagmati River, reminiscent of the flood in 2024. Squatter’s houses are seen between the first and second pictures. Taken north of the Bagmati Bridge at Kuleshwor, Balkhu, these images vividly depict how the river periodically inundates its surroundings, clearly showing its areas and boundaries. Despite this clarity, our surveyors often fail to document these occurrences on their maps accurately, and our government turns a blind eye to removing squatters from the river banks. Rivers are the lifeblood of our culture, where we perform rituals from birth to death and find enjoyment in activities like bathing and worshiping. They make our lives easier by providing water for religious, agricultural, drinking, and industrial purposes. The conversion of rivers into canals has disrupted these traditions, resulting in the loss of fertile agricultural land. The unregulated conversion of rivers into canals poses risks of record-breaking floods to both the environment and nearby communities, as evidenced by recent flooding along the Bagmati River. We must take action to meet this challenge. According to a news report in Kantipur on August 2, 2024, there has been a regulation prohibiting construction within a government-fixed boundary of 20 meters from the edge of the Bagmati River. Recently, the Supreme Court extended this limit to 40 meters. Unfortunately, the government has shown no responsibility or interest in enforcing these rules. In our culture, it is rare to find people who fulfill their duties promptly and honestly for the sake of the people and the country, despite their position and authority, unless they see personal profit and benefit. In this context, we are fortunate to have Mayor Balendra Shah of the Kathmandu Valley, who is committed to town development and the welfare of its people with admirable initiative, knowledge, dynamism, activity, and leadership. He is not one to wait for directives but works proactively in accordance with the law. He is exceptional and has set an exemplary precedent. Mayor Shah has demonstrated determination to take the necessary steps to preserve our river civilization and control floods according to our regulations and the Supreme Court's directives. I commend him for this. I also urge the government and its agencies to support and cooperate with him in his noble efforts instead of obstructing progress, as envy should not overshadow appreciation for truth and noble work, regardless of who performs it. His qualities are a valuable asset to the government and the country. Our government should understand and appreciate these qualities if they aim for development. As the proverb goes, 'Monkeys neither create anything good nor enjoy seeing others create good things.' Therefore, to ensure the development of the country and the welfare of the people, we must keep such impediments away.  narayanshanti70@gmail.com