Leela Mani Poudyal was Chief Secretary of the Government of Nepal between 2012 and 2015. Poudyal is a popular leader with his strict civil service motto, and his social campaigns like anti-graft movement and "Clean Bagmati Campaign" that he started entirely through his own initiative. He remains to be a popular figure in Nepalese socio-political scenario, actively taking part in discussions, talk-shows and social movements.

Poudyal played a key role (and continues to play) in the Bagmati River clean –up campaign that was launched in June 2013. Bagmati River is a major river in the capital, Kathmandu, with great ecological and religious importance. But, due to haphazard urbanization, pollution and lack of proper planning, the river had almost turned into a sewer. With like-minded individuals and organizations as well as concerned government department and agencies, Poudyal played a key role in the Campaign. The Campaign has already completed 170 weeks (by August 2016) and has been instrumental in raising public awareness and removing garbage from the holy river, pressing government for sewerage treatment pants, making gardens in the riverbanks and plantation of trees. With the initiation of Bagmati campaigners Dhobikhola, Bishnumati, Nakkhu, Hanumante River clean up campaigns have been launched and continued. The campaign has reached throughout the nation.