River conservation activist Megh Ale has begun a relay hunger strike at Maitighar Mandala, demanding that river rights, protection and constitutional obligations be ensured in Nepal.

Ale launched the protest under the banner of the ‘Save Rivers, Save the Nation Campaign’ on January 26. The hunger strike seeks to build pressure on political parties and candidates to include river conservation as a core agenda in their election manifestos.

“No political party has raised this issue as its agenda,” Ale said. “Such a sensitive national infrastructure issue—rivers—has been viewed only as a source of gravel and sand, hydropower generation, or waste disposal. I am on hunger strike so that candidates understand this issue before entering Singha Durbar and carry it into their election campaigns.”

Ale wants all political parties and candidates to commit to river protection in their manifestos. He pointed out that Nepal has more than 6,000 rivers and streams, yet no national park has ever been declared in the name of a river, calling it a serious policy failure.

Among his key demands is the listing of the Karnali River as a World Heritage site, citing its role as a lifeline linking the Kailash, Khas and Ganga civilisations. He has also called for granting legal rights to the Bagmati River similar to human rights, and has submitted a 14-point charter of demands.

The demands state that only development rooted in river conservation is constitutional, just and sustainable. They include designating river-based conservation zones in all seven provinces, immediately halting development projects that destroy river civilisation, stopping the Kali Gandaki diversion project, ensuring natural river flow and community rights, and enacting a separate law on river protection.

Ale has further urged transparent and equitable agreements with India on transboundary rivers, and the formulation and implementation of a sound renewable energy policy in the context of climate change.

Now 64, Ale has been involved in river conservation for more than three decades and works professionally as a river guide. His campaigns have included the protection of the Andhikhola, Bhotekoshi and currently the Karnali River. He is also a member of the Bagmati Clean-up Mega Campaign.

Warning that damage at the source of rivers could lead to massive loss of life, property and nature, Ale stressed the need for balanced development. “Development must not mean destruction,” he said. “We need leaders who will raise this issue and embed it in our laws.”