Engaging Stakeholders for Ecological Transformation in Kathmandu Valley

December 16, 2024

Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, rich in natural and cultural resources, is under environmental and infrastructural strain due to rapid urbanization and population growth. The ADB-CDIA’s Kathmandu Ecological Urban Renewal Project Preparation Study, approaching the end of its diagnostics phase, examined these urban challenges and engaged with stakeholders to form the backbone of an integrated ecological transformation approach.

Urban Development and Environmental Challenges

The Kathmandu Valley has seen rapid urbanization, with the population in its core districts of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur increasing from 766,000 in 1981 to 2.03 million in 2021, driven primarily by rural-urban migration. This growth led to inadequate housing, traffic congestion, and pollution.

Surrounded by mountains and traversed by the Baghmati River, the valley faces environmental challenges, such as the degradation of aquatic life and encroachment on green areas and river corridors. Its rich cultural heritage, including seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is under pressure from urbanization and tourism.

Despite significant investments, the existing water infrastructure is insufficient to meet the demand for safe drinking water. Traditional water systems, like hiti and pokhari, are threatened by urban expansion and modern infrastructure. Likewise, the over-extraction of groundwater and poor waste management have depleted and contaminated water resources. Moreover, inadequate stormwater and wastewater management lead to monsoon flooding, while the valley’s disaster risk management capacities need strengthening to address climate risks and other hazards.

Developing Project Orientations with Stakeholders

From 19 to 21 November 2024, ADB-CDIA conducted a series of workshops with representatives from the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, the High-Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Baghmati Civilization, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, wards, and civil society organizations.

These workshops provided an opportunity for stakeholders to validate and further shape the project orientations that emerged from ADB-CDIA’s initial situation analysis. These orientations comprise:

• sanitation investments 

• rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge infrastructure 

• Baghmati River system green and grey infrastructure improvement 

• pocket parks and urban forests 

• green ecological corridors and soft mobility 

• informal settlements action plan and pilot projects 

Through open and participatory sessions, the stakeholders discussed the objectives and roadmaps for each orientation, addressing potential constraints, risks, and immediate operational opportunities. Discussions also covered potential project sites and the specific roles of different stakeholder groups.

Following the workshops, the next steps will focus on refining the project concepts and prioritizing key projects. These selected projects will then be considered by the ADB-CDIA team for pre-feasibility studies.

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