Beyond Bulldozers: The Need for Lasting Solutions

The ongoing campaign to remove encroachments from riverbanks and public land in the Kathmandu Valley has once again brought a long-standing governance issue into focus. Led under the direction of Prime Minister Balen Shah, the drive reflects a renewed attempt to enforce state authority over public spaces that have gradually been occupied over decades. What makes this phase different is not only the scale of action but also the relatively low level of resistance seen so far. As of Sunday, authorities have cleared three settlements. Interestingly, people vacated these areas following official announcements without confrontation, suggesting a shift in public response and a greater willingness to accept state directives. At the core of this issue lie two distinct groups. One includes genuinely landless families who have settled out of necessity and continue to expect structured resettlement from the state. The other involves individuals or groups who have occupied land with the intent of possession or benefit. Successive governments have formed commissions and spent significant public resources, yet the situation has only worsened. Estimates suggesting that over a million households are affected by informal settlement issues illustrate the scale of the challenge. The problem is no longer limited to the capital; it is visible along riverbanks, highways, city outskirts, and even in villages, underscoring that it is a nationwide concern.