Kathmandu, Jan 1 — Residents living along roads and riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley have staged a protest demanding the repeal of government-imposed river and stream setback regulations, which they say threaten to displace thousands of households.

The demonstration took place at Maitighar Mandala on Wednesday, where affected residents raised slogans accusing authorities of enforcing what they described as “non-judicial” and “unjust” standards.

The protest was jointly organised by several civic groups, including the Sanchal Struggle Committee, Bishnumati Corridor (Chamati) Ad Hoc Committee, the Joint River Setback Affected Struggle Committee, and the Bagmati–Manohara Stakeholders Committee.

Protesters argued that while river conservation is necessary, the current implementation of setback rules has led to forced evictions without adequate consultation, compensation, or legal recourse.

Nepal’s Supreme Court has previously ordered that a minimum of 20 metres on each side of rivers must be left clear for conservation purposes. Demonstrators are calling for the annulment of this decision, saying it fails to consider densely populated urban realities and the rights of long-settled communities.