Khulamanch restoration

The Nepali Congress has begun replanting grass at Kathmandu’s historic Khulamanch, which was damaged during the party’s 15th General Convention. Heavy foot traffic, vehicle movement and temporary structures, together with two days of heavy rain, left the grounds in poor condition, and the party was criticised for it. On Sunday, November 15, party leaders and local activists took part in the replanting. Susan Baidya, president of the party’s Kathmandu Metropolitan Committee, said the damage was greater than expected and that the party would return the site to its earlier state.

The work is being done by a firm that Onlinekhabar and Gorkhapatra name as Mount Everest Sports and Setopati as Mount Everest Events; Setopati reported that the Nepali Congress bears the cost. The firm’s representative, Thaman Bhusal, said grass brought from Chitwan is being planted and that it will take at least 30 days, weather permitting, to establish it; Setopati reported that the agreement allows a month and a half. Joint General Secretary Pratima Gautam said the party acted out of its own sense of responsibility.