The widespread loss of greenery to the ongoing road expansion drive in Kathmandu Valley is set to be reverted beginning with a section on the 2.2km road spanning Maitighar and Tinkune.

Trees, shrubs and herbaceous species will provide much-valued greenery to 350 metres of the road in the first phase of the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority’s (KVDA) plan to beautify either side of the way linking Singha Durbar with Ring Road.

To coincide with the World Environment Week beginning Saturday, the KVDA plans to complete the stretch till Dhobikhola Bridge starting from Maitighar.

“We wish to compliment a successful expansion drive with beauty and greenery is the priority,” said Yogeshwor K Parajuli, development commissioner at the KVDA. “The Valley will see massive beautification over the next few months.”

The beautification project is slated to be accomplished ahead of the 18th Saarc Summit to be held in the Capital in November.

Plants selected for the project include masino khapate (Actinodaphne longiceps), holy tree (Ilex doniana), Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), flowering peach (Prunus persica X hybrida), swamp paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia), privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium), golden duranta (Duranta repens) and azalea (Azalea indica).

They were selected on the recommendation of bota-nists. “This is a busy road and is prone to pollution and tar heat. We have selected plants that are suitable to such conditions,” said Parajuli.

The plants to be grown in three rows will not exceed 25 feet in height while the sidewalks will be dotted with green patches and ornamental plants.

The KVDA plans to request the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries to take charge of the greenery maintenance. 

Currently, the Kathmandu Valley Road Implementation Project, responsible for the construction of the Maitighar-Tinkune section, is busy filling up soil containers. “We plan to complete soil stuffing at least till Dhobikhola Bridge for the plantation,” said Project chief Shyam Prasad Kharel.

source: the kathmandu post,4 june 2014