In Kathmandu’s squatter eviction drive, animals are collateral damage

As bulldozers tear through informal settlements along Kathmandu's riverbanks, a humanitarian crisis unfolds, with animals tragically becoming collateral damage. While the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) proceeds with its eviction drive, displacing hundreds of families from areas like Thapathali and Balkhu, the plight of the animals who shared these spaces has been completely ignored. The government's provision of food, temporary shelter, and relocation promises for humans starkly contrasts with the utter lack of consideration for the countless dogs and other animals left behind.

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Fuchey, Khairey, Govinde, Seti—aaijo. Come on, little ones.

Organizations like Sneha's Care and Animal Nepal are valiantly stepping into the void, working tirelessly to feed, rescue, and care for these abandoned creatures. These volunteers, often working with names and memories of the animals from their former residents, provide a glimmer of hope in a bleak situation. However, they are operating at the absolute edge of their capacity, without any government funding or support. The sheer number of abandoned animals—estimated at over 350 across demolition sites alone—is overwhelming, and the long-term sustainability of these rescue efforts remains uncertain.

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They would eat once they felt safe. Once they were sure that we'd leave.

Adding insult to injury, KMC spokesperson Nabin Manandhar dismisses the issue entirely, stating that there are no displaced animals and no government plan to address their needs. This callous disregard for animal welfare is deeply troubling. It reflects a broader societal attitude where the lives of animals are deemed insignificant, especially when weighed against urban development agendas. From the perspective of animal welfare advocates in Nepal, this situation highlights a critical gap in our policies and a profound lack of empathy. These animals, who formed bonds with the displaced families and relied on them for sustenance, deserve compassion and a plan, not outright denial and abandonment.

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For the people who lived there, the government made some arrangements: food, temporary hotels, the promise of relocation. The animals did not feature in the plan at all.