Kathmandu, Aug 26: Rafting and river festival were organized in the Bagmati River in Kathmandu in a bid to make the Bagmati River conservation campaign more effective.     

The Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), Nepal River Conservation Organization and Friends Club of Kupandole jointly organized rafting from Bagmati Bridge at Kupandole to Sundarighat starting from 7:00 am today.     

NARA Vice-Chairperson Sishir Khanal said that the rafting and river festival was organized to exhibit the importance of water tourism as well as to promote the identity of the Bagmati River civilization and its conservation campaign.     

Today was the 23rd edition of the rafting and river festival organized by the social organizations, it was shared.     

Various social organizations have been conducting Bagmati River clean-up campaigns for some years after the pristine river began to turn into a putrid sewerage.     

Traditional musical instruments were played towards the beginning of the river festival that aimed at sensitizing participants about the current condition of the Bagmati River and the urgency to conserve the sanctity of the river water, added Khanal.     

On the occasion, participants had also cleaned the river bank, according to the organizers. (RSS)