The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the sale and distribution of imported flower garlands during the upcoming Tihar festival.
At a press conference held today, Chief of the Municipal Police Force SSP Rajunath Pandey announced that the decision aims to promote Nepali farmers and encourage the use of locally produced flowers.
To support this initiative, the metropolis will set up 32 designated flower sales centers across the city from Kartik 1 to Kartik 6 (October 17–22). Pandey stated, “Our main goal is to stop the sale of illegally imported flowers and promote domestic production. Any illegally imported flowers will be confiscated.”
The designated sales points include locations such as New Baneshwor (NB Center, Iplex Mall, SalesBerry), Sankhamul (Big Mart), Battisputali (Phoenix Tower), Chabahil (AC Complex, Ganeshsthan, KL Tower), Kalimati, Swayambhu, Kalanki, New Bus Park, Maharajgunj, Baluwatar, Putalisadak (Star Mall, New Plaza), Anamnagar (Bhatbhateni), and Sundhara (Kathmandu Mall), among others.
At the event, Krishna Man Shrestha, Chairperson of the Agriculture, Forest, and Herbal Committee of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, said the collaboration with KMC has been ongoing for the past three years to encourage the use of domestic flowers during festivals.
Similarly, Rajesh Bhakta Shrestha, President of the Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN), expressed full support for KMC’s policy, stating that it would help strengthen both farmers and the national economy.
To further promote Nepali floriculture, the association will organize the 18th Godavari Flower Exhibition from Asoj 29 to Kartik 2 (October 15–18). FAN estimates that around 4 million garlands will be used during Tihar and believes domestic production is sufficient to meet national demand.
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