Bagmati Province Shifts to 'Bio-Engineering' Model for Sustainable Infrastructure

Hetauda. Infrastructure development in Bagmati Province has always been challenging due to its rugged mid-hill terrain, deep gorges, and high-altitude topography.

The provincial government's investments have been wasted year after year due to the failure to adopt development models suited to the geographical landscape. Roads built with millions in investment are often washed away or damaged by landslides during minor rainfall because they lack biological compatibility.

The provincial government has been facing problems annually due to disorganized development models on both major highways and rural roads.

The current 'development model' appears to be focused primarily on engineering aspects, the use of dozers, and large concrete walls. However, the fact that a single monsoon downpour washes away physical structures worth millions and blocks roads raises questions about the sustainability of current investments and technology.

Recognizing the geographical sensitivity, the Bagmati Province government has proposed a 'Bio-compatible Development Model' as an alternative to traditional construction styles.

This concept aims to harmonize physical infrastructure not just with stone and cement, but with the surrounding environment, vegetation, and climate. The current model, which relies solely on using dozers to dig roads and build walls, is causing soil erosion and landslides.

The bio-model proposed by the provincial government sets a roadmap to prevent landslides and develop roads as 'green roads' through 'bio-engineering' using bamboo, kans grass, and local vegetation. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development is working on this in collaboration with the Pulchowk Engineering Campus.

The ministry states that it has adopted 'Ecosystem-Based Adaptation' to connect village produce to markets by creating agriculture and forest-based entrepreneurship around the roads.

• We will make 'bio-engineering' mandatory in road estimates: Minister Devkota

Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development of the province, Dinesh Chandra Devkota, stated that the province's road infrastructure will now be advanced according to the concepts of 'bio-compatibility' and 'green roads'.

He argued that current development is unsustainable because it is dominated solely by engineering and construction. He clarified that the current development model is akin to pouring water into sand, wasting a large portion of the province's budget.

According to Minister Devkota, the main problem currently is the tendency of the engineering sector to build walls that are washed away by water during the monsoon. To end this situation, he said the ministry is preparing a 'Climate Change Adaptation Development Guideline'.

Minister Devkota informed that the guideline, being prepared under the leadership of Dr. Madhav Karki, is in its final stages and will be implemented after being passed by the Cabinet.

He stated that the guideline has been prepared to make it mandatory to include bio-engineering and biological aspects during road estimation and tendering. He added that this development model focuses on green entrepreneurship, bio-engineering, landslide control, and inter-ministerial coordination.

'Our engineers lack knowledge of biodiversity. Forest officials lack engineering knowledge. The current need is for knowledge of biodiversity in development. The bio-compatible development model has been designed to bridge that gap,' said Minister Devkota.

Minister Devkota believes this will create inter-ministerial coordination, support production-friendly road infrastructure, and contribute to sustainable development and damage mitigation. He said, 'Bio-compatible development will create entrepreneurship based on agriculture, forestry, and tourism around the roads. This will ensure that roads are not just a medium to transport instant noodles and kerosene, but a way to bring local products to market, creating an environment where trucks do not have to return empty.'

Minister Devkota clarified that it is easier for the government to adopt a development concept based on biodiversity rather than building large and expensive concrete retaining walls and breast walls that are washed away by landslides. He said that planting grass and trees and managing water drainage properly will save the government budget and make it easier to control disaster risks.

Minister Devkota informed that work is currently underway in areas like Sisneri according to this concept. He said that work is being done to make the province's development sustainable and climate-friendly. He added that the provincial government will also prioritize this issue in the policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year.

Since it takes time to amend laws, the minister said they are moving forward by preparing guidelines and will proceed to amend development laws accordingly to ensure the sustainability of these efforts.