If demolition was urgent, so should be rehabilitation

The Kathmandu Post's investigation into the riparian settlements of the Kathmandu Valley reveals a stark reality often overlooked by official narratives. For decades, these communities have not been transient populations but deeply rooted, multi-generational families who have built their lives along the riverbanks. Their existence is a testament to resilience, evolving from temporary shelters into organized neighborhoods with their own informal land economies and social contracts.

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What struck me most was not just the duration of their stay, but the endurance that defined their lives.

While often dismissed as 'illegal,' these settlements are, in fact, a symptom of broader societal failures. The collapse of the carpet industry and the acceleration of displacement due to the Maoist insurgency pushed many towards urban centers, where the lack of affordable housing and stable livelihoods left them with few options. The riverbanks became sites of last resort, but over time, they transformed into homes, reflecting the residents' aspirations for permanence and stability.

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These were not transient populations drifting in and out of informal spaces, but multi-generational, deeply rooted communities who were waiting for the state to recognise their plight.

The state's failure to provide adequate housing, address economic crises, and manage displacement has created a situation where informal settlements are the only recourse for survival. The people living in these areas are citizens awaiting a response from their government, a response that has been delayed through changing administrations and unfulfilled promises. The Post emphasizes that urgent rehabilitation must follow any demolition, acknowledging the human element and the long-standing presence of these communities.

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Informal settlements, therefore, are a symptom of a more chronic problem in Nepali society.