Nepal is a landlocked country. While it lacks scenic sea beaches, it is rich in mighty, milky rivers with beautiful banks. Kathmandu, the capital and a cosmopolitan city, lies on the banks of the Bagmati River. The world-famous Pashupatinath Temple also stands alongside this river.
Tragically, this sacred river is now enormously polluted, and its natural beauty is rapidly disappearing. Soon, it may lose all aesthetic appeal. Some years ago, a green belt stretched along the Bagmati, but that now feels like a distant memory. There was once an ambitious plan to build a park, which failed before it could even begin. Today, the riverbank remains filthy. Few people choose to walk there due to the foul odor from the polluted water. The area is littered with dirt, dust, mud, cow dung, and even human waste.
The encroachment of riverbanks in Nepal poses a serious threat to the environment. Similarly, the beaches of SAARC countries, like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, also suffer from encroachment.
In India, some beaches, such as those in Mumbai, are fairly well maintained. Goa boasts particularly scenic shores, and Chennai has one of the world’s longest and most beautiful beaches. Still, problems are mounting alongside the growing number of visitors. The beaches of Kolkata and Karachi, by contrast, are poorly maintained. In both Sri Lanka and India, vendors selling food items line the shores, contributing to filth and mismanagement. Visitors, both locals and foreigners, frequently litter the coasts.
The Maldives has done well in maintaining many of its beaches, but the recent boom in seaside hotel and resort construction poses new threats to the marine environment.
Beaches in other parts of the world, like Port of Spain, are sunny, sandy, and serene. However, the growing influx of visitors from countries such as the US and EU is straining these environments as well.
Globally, similar patterns emerge: the condition of coastal and riverine environments depends heavily on how well they are managed. For instance, the coasts of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Singapore are clean and well-maintained. In contrast, the beaches of Hong Kong, Chittagong, and Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh are in disrepair. People sunbathe and celebrate freely along these beaches, while beautiful palm trees that once supported ecological balance now stand surrounded by waste.
In Nepal, river rafting is a booming business, yet little concern is shown for the deteriorating condition of riverbanks. The environment, after all, is what surrounds us. Aesthetics are closely tied to our surroundings. Environmental aesthetics refers to the study and appreciation of natural beauty.
Aesthetics has been defined as “the study of beauty in nature and art of its character, condition, and conformity to law.” Human beings have always been lovers of beauty, and nature is the storehouse of eternal beauty.
The Tarai-Madhes region of Nepal is home to a vast network of rivers. In Jhapa district, there are rivers such as Mawa, Ratua, Biring, Mechi, and Kankai. Morang district has a dozen rivers, including Bakraha, Chisang, Khadam, and Lohandra. Sunsari is home to rivers like the Koshi, Kokaha, and Budhi. Moving westward, Saptari’s rivers include Trijuga, Khando, Mahuli, and Balan. In Siraha, rivers such as Kamala, Ghurmi, Manbati, and Gagan flow across the land. Dhanusha features rivers like Kamala, Ratu, and Charnath, while Mahottari includes the Ratukhola and Marha.
Further west, Sarlahi has the Bagmati, Lakhandei, and Jhim rivers. Rautahat features rivers like Lalbakaiya and Anuwa, and Bara includes the Gangol and Tilawe. Chitwan is known for the Gandak, Rapti, and Kayar rivers. In Nawalparasi, rivers such as Turiya and Arnkhola flow, while Rupandehi is home to Tinau, Rohini, Danav, and Ghodaha, among many others. Kapilvastu has rivers like Banganga and Surai, and Dang district contains both the Rapti and Babai rivers.
In Banke, rivers like Maan, Duduwa, and Rohini are notable, while Bardiya features the Karnali, Babai, and Bheri. Kailali’s major rivers include the Karnali, Mohana, and Pathraiya, and in Kanchanpur, rivers such as Mahakali and Chaudhara define the landscape.
River pollution is becoming a global crisis. The international community must act urgently to protect these vital water bodies from pollution, neglect, and even acts of violence or terrorism. Rivers like the Tigris and Euphrates—cradles of human civilization—must be preserved. The Gangetic plain, too, holds immense cultural and historical significance.
It is the duty of institutions like the United Nations to safeguard such critical natural assets. In extreme cases, even deploying peacekeeping forces may be necessary. In Nepal, volunteers, civil society groups, the army, police, and concerned citizens clean the Bagmati every Saturday. Yet these efforts lack consistency and state support. Keeping the Bagmati clean is not just an environmental obligation; it is a civilizational responsibility. The river is sacred in every sense.
Encouragingly, there have been some positive developments. In New Zealand, the Whanganui River was declared a living entity, with two guardians appointed to protect its rights, making it the first river in the world to receive such legal status. Similarly, India’s High Court in Uttarakhand ruled that the Ganges and its tributary Yamuna, both deeply sacred, have legal rights to be protected and represented in court. They are now to be represented by key officials, including the Chief Secretary of the state and the head of the National Mission for Clean Ganga. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to restore the Ganges to its original glory.
Globally, oceans play a critical role. They contain 97 percent of the world’s water and support the livelihoods of over 3bn people. The estimated global market value of oceanic and coastal resources is $3trn. Oceans absorb around 30 percent of human-generated carbon dioxide, helping mitigate climate change. Oceanic fisheries employ more than 200m people, directly or indirectly. For many, oceans are also the main source of dietary protein.
Despite their importance, oceans face mounting threats. Around 8m metric tonnes of plastic enter the oceans every year. Their preservation must be a top global priority.
