Nepali Congress begins restoration of Khulamanch greenery

The Nepali Congress has initiated a project to restore the greenery of Kathmandu’s historic Khulamanch, which suffered significant damage during the party’s 15th General Convention. On Sunday, November 15, party leaders and local activists gathered at the site to begin replanting grass and repairing the grounds, according to reports from Setopati, Onlinekhabar, Gorkhapatra and Ratopati.

Onlinekhabar and Gorkhapatra reported that heavy foot traffic, the construction of temporary structures and the movement of vehicles, together with two days of heavy rain, left the grounds in poor condition. Susan Baidya, president of the Nepali Congress Kathmandu Metropolitan Committee, said the party had pledged before the event to hand the site back in the state in which it was taken. He said the rain and the movement of thousands of people caused more damage than had been expected.

Restoration process and timeline

Onlinekhabar and Gorkhapatra name the firm given the technical work of replanting and upkeep as Mount Everest Sports; Setopati calls it Mount Everest Events. Setopati reported that the firm signed an agreement with the party’s central office earlier and that the Nepali Congress will bear the cost.

According to Thaman Bhusal, the firm’s representative, planting is at an initial stage. Grass brought from Chitwan has been laid on the damaged spots, and it will be pressed down, the soil levelled and tilled, and irrigation and manure arranged to finish the job. He estimated that, in the present weather, it would take at least 30 days for the grass to be fully established. Setopati reported that the agreement gives a month and a half for planting, care and growing the grass, and Gorkhapatra said a statement of the actual cost will be prepared when the work ends. The party says regular irrigation, manuring and care have also been under way for the past month.

Accountability and public space

Onlinekhabar and Gorkhapatra reported that the party had been criticised after the convention and told it should take responsibility for the damage. Janak Chattaut, a central committee member, said the party committed to restoring the site after the metropolitan city raised the damage. Gorkhapatra reported that Joint General Secretary Pratima Gautam said protecting Tundikhel’s historic identity and natural beauty is also the party’s duty. She said the party was acting out of its own sense of responsibility, not because of the Prime Minister’s social-media comment on the damage after the convention.

Baidya said Khulamanch belongs to all Nepalis, not to one party or the government, and that fencing it off and limiting public access would go against its spirit. Central committee members Lekhnath Neupane and Sita Mijar also said the work was in keeping with the party’s commitment to make good the damage, and the leaders said regular upkeep would continue after the restoration.