This is the story of once-vibrant roads and riverbanks, filled with colorful flowers, now sadly transformed into a patchwork of multicolored plastics. The recent floods have taken lives and property, turning these natural landscapes into powerful symbols of our environmental crises. The rivers where we carelessly tossed our waste, thinking the water would wash it away, now highlight our negligence. The floods devastated our homes, leaving behind a disheartening scene of plastics strewn along the banks and roads wherever the water could flow.

The devastating floods and landslides in Nepal have resulted in at least 200 deaths and over 100 injuries, according to police reports. As of Sunday, more than 50 individuals remain missing following two days of heavy rainfall that flooded the area surrounding the capital, Kathmandu. So far, approximately 3,600 people have been rescued (BBC Nepal BBC Nepal ). As the water went down, it showed a troubling sight: plastic waste scattered across riverbanks and parks. This sad scene is similar to what you can see along other big rivers like the Sunkoshi, Trishuli, Narayani and Gandaki, where plastic bottles and trash are everywhere. The images of rivers and roads filled with plastic highlight not just the immediate destruction, but also the ongoing environmental issues we face. It's a reminder of how interconnected everything is—natural disasters can exacerbate existing problems like pollution. How are people responding to the situation? 

This tragic loss serves as a stark reminder of the potential repercussions of environmental negligence highligting a broader issue affecting all of Nepal's rivers. Furthermore, it's crucial to understand the long-term consequences of plastic pollution on water quality, aquatic life, and the overall health of river ecosystems. This pollution can disrupt food chains, harm wildlife, and diminish resources that local communities depend on for fishing, agriculture, and tourism. Addressing these issues is vital for both environmental sustainability and the well-being of those who rely on these rivers. In the wake of the flooding, we are compelled to reconsider our treatment of these vital waterways and the ecosystems they support. Effective waste management should be the priority and investment in sustainable practices is the need to safeguard our rivers. This involves raising community awareness, enforcing stricter waste disposal regulations, and actively participating in river clean-up efforts. 

CREASION Nepal, through its impactful Project CAP (Collaborative Approach for Preventing Plastic Leakages in Rivers of Nepal), is committed to creating plastic-free rivers in Nepal working in 7 project locatioons Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality, Bardibas Municipality, Kathmandu Valley, Hetauda Sub Metropolitan City, Golanjor Rural Municipality, Gajuri Rural Municipality and Kathmandu Valley making a complete Green Circuit. Project CAP is funded by the PLEASE (Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia) Project, implemented by the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme, supported by the World Bank and with implementing support from UNOPS.  

The project activities go beyond cleanup efforts to include a diverse range of initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and community engagement. We collaborate with vulnerable communities, such as the Majhi and Bote, as well as Waste Workers, to provide education and raise awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution and their essential role in achieving our shared goal of plastic-free rivers. Our partnerships with local civil society organizations (CSOs) enhance their capacity for effective waste management and encourage environmentally friendly practices. 

Additionally, we are establishing and sensitizing two Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and a PET Recovery Facility (PRF) to improve waste management and recycling. These facilities will not only help reduce plastic waste in our rivers but also create job opportunities and foster a circular economy. To date, we have conducted numerous cleanup events, engaging hundreds of volunteers and community members. 

Our vision is a world free from plastic pollution, where rivers can flow freely and ecosystems can thrive. By integrating cleanup efforts with community education, local partnerships, and infrastructure development, we believe we can make a meaningful impact in protecting our waterways for future generations. So far, the project has organized 12 cleanups. Just before the flood, we held a round of the Green Circuit Marathon with the Volunteer for Change Youth Cohort. Ironically, the recent floods have simply moved waste from one area to another. This situation highlights that our efforts extend beyond isolated events; it requires a massive collaboration to address this challenge effectively, beyond CAP, beyond CREASION.  

The recent floods serve as a gentle reminder that we need to fast pace our efforts and think innovatively. We must embrace our roles as responsible stewards of the environment. By working together, we can create cleaner, healthier rivers that not only serve our communities but also nurture the natural world.