It is just a wekk after we greeted new year. Many of us might be confused with the date and many of us might be looking into the achievements we had in 2014. The year 2014 is very special to me, from passing bachelors to joining masters in Kathmandu University, there were many unforgettable events and moments of my life. Sharing ideas with power shifters at Power Shift Nepal and research in Dolpa along with visiting Shey Phoksundo were among those many. Every day created some moments to cherish, and every moments gave some learning. Before I begin my new year and look for new possibilities, learning and accomplishment, I am reminding me about my involvement in one of the most satisfying work I have ever done, I would like to share an article by me about effort by power shifters to transform Ratnapark. May this action inspire me to work further in 2015 as well. please go through the full report…

What come in your mind when you hear the word park? Of course anyone would imagine trees, grass, pond, flowers, well maintained chairs and a nice path to walk. But anyone who have heard about Ratnapark would hardly reckon that it has says impression of a park. With growing urban area open spaces are decreasing. Public parks which are one of the open spaces are losing its value and beauty due to lack of maintenance and ownership. The parks are now merely a meeting place of unemployed youth and a place for political exercise where vendors have developed their business well. But in all cases the beauty of park is diminishing and the waste is accumulating destroyed the developed infrastructure within the park.

Ratnapark- a centrally located park of Kathmandu Metropolitan City is facing the similar fate. Ratnapark has always been eyed as a place for political hangout and vendors’ paradise. With the growth of the urban center and lack of maintenance, beauty of park is fading gradually.

Christina Nakarmi is on her mid twenties and has lived in Kathmandu ever since she stepped on the earth. Living in Kathmandu for such a long time she has visited most of the places of Kathmandu but despite her frequent visits Old Buspark, she never entered Ratnapark, situated very next to it.  “I always watched Ratnapark from outside but never liked to enter inside due to its condition, political gathering and the local vendors who seem to follow every now and then,” she said, “Back in April 2 when I came here for the first time in course of developing plan to contribute for the maintenance of Ratnapark through Power Shift Nepal, I never felt it as a park.”

But the things have changed ever since KMC closed Ratnapark for the maintenance activities from April 14, 2014. Plan of Christina Nakarmi and Power Shift Nepal came into reality when for the first time they entered the park with more than 50 power shifter to clean the park and conduct plantation activities on April 22 on the occasion of World Earth Day with an objective of contributing to clean and maintain Ratnapark and give an impression that Ratnapark can be green. The young power shifter cleaned 25 concrete dustbins and a pond which was functioning merely as a dumping site for 7 years. After taking out around 10 vans of waste from the pond, raising concern over the future of the work they have done a power shifter Yogendra BUdha said, “Our hearty thanks to KMC and SchEMS, who supported us with the necessary logistics and motivation. One of the ponds look clean now, we are promised water will be filled in those ponds along cleaning of another pond. Though our contribution is small we look forward to the sustainability of our work.”

These youth carrying the message of sustainability time and again visited Ratnapark post program and motivated the park management committee to carry their work forward. Continuing beyond cleaning program, power shifter stepped forward for the plantation in the park on May 22 celebrating World Biodiversity Day where they planted more than 350 plants. It’s been a month now the plants have blossomed and is changing the face of Ratnapark. Besides, after restricting the entry of visitors for more than 2.5 months, Ratnapark is regaining its beauty. KMC itself is pushing to repair the infrastructures and maintain greenery in the park. Garden is being maintained, flowers are being planted, ponds are being cleaned, chairs are being repaired and the fountains are being made functional. “If we restrict entry of visitors for few more months I believe grasses will regenerate in the park, giving Ratnapark a look of actual park and not the vendors’ hub,” said Hari K.C Chief of Ratnapark-Ranipokhari Management Committee.

Power shifter planting flowers

Undoubtedly effort from KMC should be acknowledged and the enthusiasm of the power shifter should be continued. May be because of the same they have come up with an idea of introducing Ratnapark as a knowledge Park as well. People come here, sit under the shade or trees and enjoy the gift of nature but very few of them would know which gem of this park is giving them such pleasure. “What could be the gems of a park? no doubt, its flora. fauna and  satisfaction of being in the lap of nature. We are now displaying the information of each floral species in the park.” said Sagarika Bhatta from Power shift Nepal, “The idea is to attract people from different age group including students and whoever visits the park will not just enjoy the beauty of the park but also know something about plant species available here.” The team has identified 25 species of plant in the 42 ropani area of the park and has put the information of each species on 21 June, 2014.

putting the description plate on plants

No wonder the initiations from both Power Shifte Nepal and KMC are commendable but the issue is what will be the future of Ratnapark? Entire power shifter team is worried if the park will again be a ground for political exercise and vendors’ hub once it is reopened and if the effort put so far will be in vain. The team suggests in charging reasonable amount to enter the park and manage adequate number of stalls for business purpose. Putting the view of Power Shift Nepal team, Sanjog Shrestha says, “People rarely are accountable towards free goods if park is made free again we are sure the effort put so far will all go in vain. We just want Ratnapark to look like park and we are ready to contribute from our side to ensure it.”

Power shifters

KMC and Power Shift Nepal have worked hard to redefine the identity of Ratnapark. Changing its image from a ground for political exercise, unemployed youths’ junction and vendors’ hub to a green park, both the parties are trying hard to develop it as knowledge-park as well. KMC and Power Shift Nepal will always be applauded if they succeed in ensuring and sustaining the beauty of the park. But being a common heritage of Kathmandu it is responsibility of all Kathmanduties to ensure the beauty of the park.

From the next time when we enter the park most probably we will have to pay the entry charge but its fine if the vendors don’t follow us, we are not disturbed by the political speeches while we are sitting in the well maintained benches enjoying and exploring nature in the heart of concreted Kathmandu, isn’t it?