The government in its recent fiscal budget has also announced a package programme to build these parks in open spaces. Since there is difficulty in finding empty spaces for these parks, the authorities plan to purchase the required plots.

The policy has proposed an open space for 25,000 people in each municipality. The government would also provide capital grant to those municipalities to initiate ground work. The Ministry of Urban Development together with the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA) envisioned the policy.

“We have been urging the local authorities to preserve public land in order to construct these parks, gardens and walkways,” said Bhaikaji Tiwari, deputy commissioner at KVDA.

Two weeks ago, the KVDA forwarded the list of its annual programme to the concerned ministry. “We will start constructing the parks as soon as our programmes are endorsed by the ministry,” Tiwari said.

The valley authorities have also planned to revamp the existing parks including Kamal Pokhari and Narayan Chaur among others. “We plan to restore these areas for they hold ecological and historical importance,” said Tiwari.

With rapid urbanisation, valley greenery has depleted significantly. Some have also accused the government of selling public property to individuals.

Former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Ganesh Shah believes that parks and sufficient open spaces are a must for urban population. “The construction of such parks in such a highly urbanised city like Kathmandu will help create a green and beautiful city for our future generation,” he said. “Parks are part and partial of people’s health and well being.”

An average of 10 percent of open spaces is required to balance the ecological system and create a living environment. According to professor at the Institute of Engineering in Pulchowk Bharat Sharma, the valley has less than 0.5 percent open space. “The trend of encroachment of the open spaces should be changed,” said Sharma.

The experts also stressed that the parks would act as a social mechanism for communication among citizens. “The parks would create a platform for people of the valley and outsiders to interact and share their opinions,” said Pitamber Sharma, former vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission. “Open spaces and parks have social and cultural importance. Hence, they should be incorporated in the future of the city,” he said.