If the Bagmati is to be cleaned up, it looks as if most of the money will have to come from overseas donors.

BBC: Alastair Lawson reports from Kathmandu

"Even though we all realise that the Bagmati - where we will all be cremated at some point - has turned into a sewer it is nevertheless a sociological phenomenon that the public while realising it, is not been able to do anything about, " he said.

BBC: Alastair Lawson reports from Kathmandu