Kaligandaki river has special importance because of biodiversity, prosperity and life-giving power. However, at this time, it is in crisis because it is caught in the web of continuous exploitation and hundreds of problems.

Kaligandaki has been exploited for the past five decades. Exploitation in the name of hydropower projects has changed the natural course of the river and has seriously affected the ecological system here. The river system has become unbalanced and unstable.

Recently, the Nepal government has proposed hydropower projects and reservoir construction plans based on the Kaligandaki river, which is seen to cause a serious crisis in the lives of the entire river system and the communities dependent on it. Biodiversity in a large part of the Kaligand civilization has reached the face of crisis. The government has started projects like Kaligandaki Diversion Project, Kaligandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project, Upper Kaligandaki Project which will cause water crisis in large area and destroy the heritage area. These projects have increased the risk of diverting the Kaligandaki river from its own vibrant natural flow and destroying its historical, cultural, religious significance.

The biodiversity (300 lakes, 30 species of insects, 110 species of birds and other biological life) found in the watershed of Kaligandaki is threatened. More than 1.5 million people live in the coastal area of ​​this river. Kaligandaki region is important from religious, historical and ecological point of view.

There was no need to carry out such a destructive project on such a sacred and historic river. In the name of hydropower production and development, we will not be able to respond to history and future generations if we are doing development activities against nature and human civilization.

There are serious doubts about the authenticity of the environmental impact assessment report of this project proposed by the Ministry of Energy and Irrigation under the Government of Nepal. It is not reasonable from any point of view to try to divert the Kaligandaki river in the process of diversion and construction of reservoirs on the basis of false reports. As a result, there is a risk of water crisis, loss of biodiversity and geological changes in the near future. Because of this, the livelihoods and ecosystems of millions of people will be in jeopardy. The Ministry of Energy and Irrigation of the Government of Nepal has imposed this kind of dhipi when the entire Gandaki Province and the proposed project and the local level and residents of the lower coast are protesting. Going ahead with such a disastrous project is a matter of concern.

It is appropriate to discuss about the dignity of Kaligandaki to stop exploitation and to understand why Kaligandaki is dying due to wrong intentions of the government. 

Kaligandaki river is not only the mother of civilization but also life. Kaligand is a very old civilization of Nepal, connected with Arya culture and Vedic civilization. 814 km in length and about 634 km stretch towards Nepal and 200 km through India and reaches the Bay of Bengal at Kaligand where it reaches the Ganges. There are various dhams, ghats and shrines in the coastal area of ​​Kali. Its origins are associated with the Vedic period.

It is also a short route connecting China and India under the 430 km corridor. It is also considered to be a very old civilization because of the route connected with the Indus Valley Civilization. Its civilization with trade centers, coastal settlements and religious beliefs also proves it. Damodar Kund, Muktinath, Kagbeni ancestral shrine, Galeshwardham, Kalanjar mountain, Mahabharata series are also known as Mrigatirth. From above Kalika Bhagwati is on the banks of Kali. The meandering Ghats like Modibeni, Gupteshwar, Jaiminighat, Setibeni, Rudrabeni, Ruru area, Ramdi, Keladi, Ashraghat, Modighat, Gaurighat, Ramghat are in its lap.

Hindus around the world worship the Shaligram rock found in the Kaligandaki river as Lord Vishnu. Scientific believers believe that marine life is a relic from which genealogies began. The human lineage is said to have originated from the Leu Zhya. Based on that, based on the cycles in this fossil, it is also called the Paleolithic civilization.

Muktinath at the head of Kaligandaki is worshiped as a supernatural holy place by both Hindus and Buddhists. Another head of Kaligandaki is worshiped as Damodarkund Astha. The catchment area of ​​Kaligandaki is surrounded by three mountains above 8 thousand meters Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu. There are more than two dozen mountains ranging from 6,000 to 8,000. Its catchment area is connected to 10 districts namely Mustang, Myagdi, Baglung, Parvat, Syangja, Gulmi, Palpa, Tanahun, West Nawalparasi and East Nawalparasi.

It is considered as Saptagandaki river system with Kaligandaki as Trishuli, Marsyangdi, Budhigandaki, Madi, Seti, Darundi as main tributaries. There are many ponds, mines. It is hardly the only place to find sand with black particles. 

Its riparian zone is made up of its soft rock and remnants of sheet rock, even though it looks like a muddy gorge. We see all the rock-covered hills in the form of fossilized Shaligram rocks. There are many fields of scientific and economic studies as it is also a very large mining area of ​​big rocks, granite, sand, clay, concrete, sand. Kaligandaki river is considered to be the largest among the three river systems of Nepal. The world's deepest (2520 m) Rupse Andhagalchi is also located here.

Kaligandaki has an immense gift in terms of scientific, environmental and ecological system, water bodies, seasonal cycle, underground water. It is religiously believed that Ved Vyasa wrote the four Vedas within its watershed.

Kaligandaki region is also a short way to Kailash. Its corridor connects China and India. In terms of faith, Chinese Buddhists have faith in Lumbini, two of the four Indian Hindu Dhams, Ridi and Muktinath Dham are located here. 

Chitwan National Park falls in this watershed area. On this bank it proceeds through Lomanthang, Jomsom, Beni, Baglung, Kushma, Phalebas, Barchaur, Mirmi, Rudra Kshetra, Rampur, Brahmadevi Triveni. It has also been established as a commercial center since ancient times.

In the development of Buddhist philosophy, there is a history of the spread of Buddhist knowledge to South Asia after the Han dynasty king 'Mingati' had a dream about the Buddha. This route is of great importance in the propagation of Buddhist philosophy. 

Neglecting such a serious issue and moving forward with various projects to divert the entire river to the other side is a game against the faith and culture of the people of Gandaki. Not only this, but there is an attack on the livelihood of millions of people from dozens of communities including Athar Magarat, Majhi, Bote, Dhimal, who live dependent on the river. The government has presented a serious challenge to the lives and cultural heritage of these communities when the government is proceeding with projects like the proposed Kaligandaki Diversion Project, Kaligandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project-640 MW and Upper Kaligandaki Project.

At present, Kaligandaki is not allowed to flow alive in its own form due to hydro, pollution, diversion, exploitation in Kaligandaki. The rulers of the state have engaged in impractical activities without scientific study for the benefit of the then because of the need to advance the source of the five elements of life. The interference on the river is regrettable.

When talking about development, the river itself is considered as the source of stones, gravel and sand. But that's not it. After assessing the overall environment-impact of the river and making an action plan for development, the whole river flow is being cut/clogged, stone, gravel, and sand are being exploited by hiring experts. For the last five decades, there has been activity in Kali's bowels and troughs. 

Kaligandaki is in a vicious cycle. The river system is disturbed. Talking about the watershed area, the watershed area of ​​1025 glaciers is being eroded by the Gandaki river system. This sanctuary of 300 species of beetles, 30 species of insects/grasshoppers, 20 species of butterflies, 1 dozen amphibian systems, 110 species of birds, 30 species of birds is collapsing. Art-culture, civilization, dignity, sacred places in Gounda are disappearing. 

In the birthplace of human civilization, vested interests are running a crusher industry, this is atrocity. They have not set any criteria for environmental impact assessment. It is captured by the access and interests of a single person. The local level has also intervened vertically to bring contracts and favors. This is a grave crime against nature and human civilization. In its exploitation, the 'nexus' from people under the state to low-level contractors, smugglers, and middlemen is huge. 

The water flowing from the mountains of Nepal is the basis of life for 2 billion people. When we talk about prosperity from water, we only talk about hydropower. We are selling electricity. But there is no account of water, neither enough discussion nor achievement. There has been a plan to send free electricity to India.

When looking for yesterday's consensus, even Khost is not found. It is said that 10,000 megawatts of electricity will be exported to India. It is said that 3,000 MW of electricity is being exported now. 18,000 megawatts of electricity is needed to provide electricity to 30 million Nepali households. Chalkhel has been in terms of hydropower infrastructure since yesterday. With the recent floods and landslides damaging more than 2 dozen hydropower infrastructures, even energy and water resources experts doubt the release of the agreement with India.

There is no clear blueprint for what are the conditions for sending electricity in India. Now we are negotiating a treaty. But we will not discuss what benefits we are getting from it. RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION CONSUMPTION When it comes to international trade, should we let our rivers flow as clean as they were yesterday, or break the dams around the world with narrow borders? That is what is going on now. Building a dam is also a big challenge.

How much the water infrastructure is at risk, the loss of 14 km of land is unimaginable when the Kaligandaki hydropower project is brought. The audacity to cross a Himalayan river is ironic. 

All this is happening in the interests of local power and money. Therefore, at this time, it is necessary for us all to stand together and be united. Kaligandaki river is the source of our life. And, let's raise our voice for its protection.