Kathmandu, Jan. 22 -- The roadway alongside the Sleshmantak jungle-between Tilganga to Tamarganga-which falls under a Unesco world heritage site is currently functioning illegally, despite the Supreme Court's order to stop access to the road. Locals, environmentalists and cultural activists had voiced concerns that the road section is causing soil erosion and disturbing the natural habitat of the historic jungle in Pashupatinath. The Supreme Court had then ordered the road be left unoperated back in 2016.

However, officials at the Department of Archaeology say that the Pashupati Area Development Trust has, for years, disregarded the Supreme Court's orders and have even presented a false report to the Department in relation to the operati...