Locals of Khumaltar, Lalitpur have risen in protest after the government authorities decided to lease out 42 ropanis of public land to private housing companies.  The locals are against this move because this space served as a breathing space and also shelter for them during the times of devastating earthquakes of 2015, where many residents set up temporary tents.

After the devastating earthquakes of 2015, most spaces in the old cities of the valley have been given new meanings. People have now adjusted around these places, which seem to be stuck in the process of a never ending work-in-progress.

Melodious tunes of a sarangi waft over a crowd gathered at the center of a street in Thamel, Kathmandu. At the heart of the crowd is Ram Krishna Gandharba, wowing the audience with his musical skills. “I’m glad no vehicles can enter this place now. Tourists can now listen to my music without straining their ears over the noises from vehicles and my business is doing great,” says Gandharba once the crowd dissipates. A few have even bought a sarangi or two from him post the performance.

Kathmandu is becoming denser by the minute. It seems buildings are being constructed in every possible space. Open space and land are rare which is why we often find ourselves setting up home in tiny apartments and semi-detached houses.

KATHMANDU, August 30: Stakeholders here have demanded the earliest implementation of the government's programme for the current fiscal year for designating ten public spaces in the Kathmandu Valley and one such space in each constituency.