Leaves of lotus are collected by local people to peform various religious as well as cultural rituals. These leaves are also used as leaf plate in the feast and packing material in the local markets. Building such barrier is a community effort. In the monsoon season, these barriers are easily washed away by flood. Also, the water that leeches out of the river is used to provide irrigation to the rice fields.
Rice is the main staple food of Nepal and owning a rice field is considered a prestigious status.
The rice seedlings are raised in the nursery and transplanted in the field during the month of July, when there is an abundance of water in the field. The floodplain is fertile and good for the cultivation of pointed gourd. These gourds are sold at local hat bazaars. The surplus gourds are transpoted to the Kathmandu valley and nearby towns. The fuelwood requirement of the communities is partially fulfilled by the collection of driftwood that is brought by the river at the time of the rainy season.