Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has announced a complete ban on the sale and distribution of plastic flowers, garlands, and decorative items for the upcoming Tihar festival. The city has also designated numerous specific locations within its area for the sale of natural floral products, aiming to promote locally grown flowers and support Nepali farmers.
The Metropolitan Police Force, KMC’s police body, issued a notice stating that any plastic or substandard floral materials found for sale will be immediately confiscated. This move is intended to provide a fair market for flowers produced by Nepali farmers.
Background
- On Kartik 8, 2081 (October 24, 2024), Kathmandu Metropolitan City issued a notice banning the use of plastic flowers and garlands for Tihar.
Background and legal framework
The Ministry of Forests and Environment first published a notice in the Nepal Gazette on Shrawan 12, 2079 (July 28, 2022), imposing a complete ban on the production, import, sale, distribution, or storage of plastic floral arrangements. Subsequently, Kathmandu Metropolitan City also announced a policy and program on Shrawan 1, 2080 (July 17, 2023), to prohibit the production, sale, distribution, and import of single-use plastics thinner than 40 microns, as well as plastic floral arrangements.
According to the Department of Environment, violations of these regulations can result in fines ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 imposed by environmental inspectors, and up to Rs 100,000 by the Director General of the department. The Metropolitan Police Force has warned that non-compliance will lead to the confiscation of all prohibited items.
Designated sales points for natural flowers
To facilitate the sale of natural flowers and garlands, KMC has coordinated with relevant stakeholders to establish designated sales points. These locations include:
- New Baneshwor (NB Center, i-Plex Mall)
- Shankhamul (Big Mart)
- Mid-Baneshwor (Salesberry)
- Battisputali (Phoenix Tower)
- Tinkune Chowk, Sifal Chowk
- Chabahil (AC Complex, Ganeshsthan Vegetable Market, in front of KL Tower)
- Kamaladi (IT Building)
- Putalisadak (Star Mall)
- Anamnagar (Bhatbhateni)
- Sundhara (Kathmandu Mall)
- New Plaza (Bajra Complex, Good Mart)
- Swayambhu (Dharma Chakra Park)
- Kalanki (Bhatbhateni)
- Naya Bazar (Valley Cold Store)
- Machhapokhari (Buddha Mall, Gunastar Khaldo)
- Kalimati (Kalimati Banquet, Chaukhel)
- Handigaun (Dabali in front of Ward No. 5 office, Ganesh Temple Dabali)
- Samakhushi (Koirala Smart)
- Maharajgunj (Salesberry)
- Gongabu, Chappalkarkhana, Baluwatar (Big Mart)
- Tebahal Temple premises, Lagan, Jaisideval, Bhrikutimandap
The city has urged businesses, traders, and the general public to sell and use natural flowers exclusively at these designated locations.
Tihar 2083 and enforcement
This year, Tihar will be celebrated from Kartik 21 (November 7, 2026) to Kartik 25 (November 11, 2026). Laxmi Puja falls on November 8, 2026 (Kartik 22, 2083), and Bhai Tika on November 11, 2026 (Kartik 25, 2083).
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has stated it will intensify monitoring of plastic materials throughout the Tihar festival. According to Raju Nath Pandey, chief of the Metropolitan Police Force, KMC police will remove any flower vendors operating outside the designated sales points. In the past, despite government bans, the Department of Customs was accused of legitimizing plastic flower imports by collecting revenue. The Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) reported that last year, an excess of flowers imported from India led to a significant waste of Nepali farmers’ produce.
What happens next
Kathmandu Metropolitan City will continue its intensified monitoring of plastic materials during Tihar. Businesses and the public requiring further assistance can contact the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Force office.
