Blooming bougainvillea gives beautiful look to Nepalgunj

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Mar. 25: The vibrant and colourful bougainvillea blooming on the greenbelt of Surkhet Road along Nepalgunj’s four-lane highway has recently become viral in social media. 

Eye-catching pictures and videos of these colourful flowers have widely been shared on social media, attracting crowds of people eager to capture the beautiful sight every day. 

Dr. Binod Karna, coordinator of the ‘Clean Nepalgunj, Green Nepalgunj’ initiative, shared that they planted various flower species, including bougainvillea, in the greenbelt in around 2015 after the expansion of the four-lane road.

These flowers have now started blooming, significantly enhancing the beauty of Nepalgunj.

Dr. Karna explained that in the first phase, flowers were planted from Karkado Chowk to the Police Gym Centre, in the second phase from B.P. Chowk to Ganeshman Chowk through the Forest Office, and the third phase from B.P. Chowk to the Civil Aviation Corporation Office.

Recalling the initial planting of the saplings on the newly constructed road, Dr. Karna said that many were skeptical about their growth. 

However, now that the flowers have bloomed, even the critics have started appreciating.

He mentioned the challenge of protecting the plants from stray animals thanks to consistent watering and efforts to keep the animals away, the initiative has been successful.

The tree planting project began with Dr. Karna’s team and later gained support from Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, along with private and social sectors. Now, plants are thriving in most areas of the greenbelt.

Dr. Karna expressed his happiness about the area going viral, stating that even a few blooming flowers have greatly enhanced Nepalgunj’s beauty.

Civil society leader Krishna Prasad Shrestha commented that the viral flowers have brought widespread attention to Nepalgunj. 

He also emphasised the need to plant flowers along the greenbelt of New Road and the footpaths of the four-lane road to preserve the city’s beauty.

Environmental activist Hemant Raj Kafle expressed his delight at seeing the plants growing, adding beauty to the city. 

He urged the planting of more flowers in other areas.

Prashant Bista, Mayor of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, assured that the municipality is paying special attention to the preservation of the flowers and trees on the greenbelt of the four-lane road. 

He added that the sub-metropolis manages the fencing and regularly waters the plants. Tree guards and railings have also been installed to protect the plants, according to Mayor Bista.