Chasing Horizons: Motorbike Riding and Reflecting on Bagmati River (KTM - SIMARA VIA CHAPAGAUN)

When you embark on a journey through the landscapes via a motorbike, jeep, car, or bus, the anticipation of witnessing nature's wonders, high hills, lush green forests, and captivating scenery is ever-present. Today, with a similar purpose in mind, I planned a trip from Kathmandu to Simara, opting to travel via motorbike through Chapagaun. 

Taking my time, I traversed at my own pace, pausing to capture photos and videos along the way. A notable moment occurred when I encountered a place named "Baguwa," named for its proximity to the Bagmati River (approximately 1KM away). I stopped to take a clip and eventually reached the river itself, originally known as the Bagmati River. It was a profound surprise to witness the struggle of the Bagmati River's water in its attempt to retain its natural purity.

Contrary to the city-side Bagmati in Kathmandu, where we often perceive the water as waste (sludge), seeing the river in its natural form was a stark revelation. Reflecting on this, I realized how our daily activities, whether small or large, contribute to the deterioration of such natural wonders. Though I had observed similar instances for a long time, seeing the river in this state left me deeply moved, contemplating the consequences of our actions.

After traveling approximately 300 hundred meters uphill, I stopped once again to capture the view from the top, witnessing the river until the road turned, marking the last point of visibility. The sight was a poignant reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in transforming a once-beautiful river into a harsh and painful entity. I implore everyone, including myself, to take action and contribute to preserving the cleanliness of rivers and water bodies in their natural form.

Understanding the National Context

Just we can observe the national context of the WASH "Access to safe and adequate drinking water is a critical challenge for a significant portion of the Nepalese population. Despite an estimated 80% having access to drinking water, it is often unsafe, particularly affecting the poor and excluded groups in rural areas. Many in remote regions rely on polluted water sources, such as small mountain brooks, leading to lengthy travels for water. 

The deterioration of surface and groundwater in the Kathmandu Valley is a major concern due to natural and anthropogenic contaminations. Industrial and domestic waste, untreated sewage, and inadequate waste disposal contribute to water pollution, making rivers and lakes, the primary sources of drinking water, unsafe. In rural areas, reliance on tube wells is common, but the Terai Region faces the additional challenge of arsenic contamination in groundwater. Insufficient sanitation facilities, especially in rural areas, lead to dependence on local surface water sources, contributing to waterborne diseases. Limited water treatment facilities exacerbate the problem, resulting in high rates of illnesses like diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, gastroenteritis, and cholera. The vulnerable dry season from March to September increases the risk of waterborne diseases, with children under five being the most affected, causing an estimated 44,000 deaths annually in Nepal.

The experience left me pondering the significance of conserving natural rivers for the well-being of humanity. In the end, after a five-hour motorbike journey, I reached my destination in Bara (Simara), concluding a mixed and wonderful journey.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert in the WASH/RIVER system; this account is based on factual information and personal observations.

Thank you.


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