KATHMANDU: Residents of Lubhu in Mahalaxmi Municipality-8, Lalitpur, have been using natural gas leaking from the ground to cook daily meals for years. The gas, which escapes through cracks in an empty plot near the Godawari River, provides a free energy source for many families in the area, especially during times of commercial cooking gas shortages.

Local resident Anita Jaisi said she and many neighbors rely on the flames to prepare their daily meals. Another resident, 56-year-old Babukaji Maharjan, noted that the fire has been burning continuously for 45 years. ‘It burns regardless of the weather, be it rain or storm,’ Maharjan said, adding that as the area becomes more densely populated, the constant flame poses safety concerns.

Ward Chairman Bishwaraj Shrestha stated that various organizations have studied the site over the years, but concluded that commercial extraction is not feasible. ‘The studies concluded that the gas cannot be extracted commercially,’ Shrestha said. Mahalaxmi Mayor Harigovinda Shrestha added that the municipality halted plans after the Department of Mines and Geology advised that the gas is not suitable for storage.

Dharmaraj Khadka, acting head of the Petroleum Project at the Department of Mines and Geology, explained that the gas is ‘biogenic’ and unsuitable for commercial use. ‘Biogenic gas found in the densely populated Kathmandu Valley cannot be used commercially. Its use could lead to problems,’ Khadka said. He explained that such gas often forms through geological processes involving water and sand, similar to occurrences in other parts of the valley like Teku.

Despite official assessments, locals continue to demand a thorough scientific investigation. Maharjan suggested that if commercial production is not possible, the government should at least focus on preserving the area as a potential tourist site or ensuring safety measures as the settlement continues to grow.