Phewa Lake’s existence has been threatened
Pokhara has been regarded as one of the most beautiful place in the whole world because of its lovely lakes, fascinating caves, gorgeous floras and faunas and mighty mountains in the background. Like a modern art, it is different to different people, from all walks of life, and this makes Pokhara an emblem of unity in diversity. It is indeed a naturalist’s paradise, as the valley offers splendid views of the Annapurna Himalaya range. Its beauty is unmatched and this makes this city renowned all over the world, and tourists from every corner of the world come here to see this heaven on earth - not only once, but over and over again. Such is the gravity of this valley.
Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in the Kingdom, is the centre of attractions in the valley. Situated in the heart of the picturesque Pokhara, the lake with the temple of Tal Barahi (popularly known as Island temple) in the middle, nicely reserved woods on the adjoining southern slope (Raniban), and serene water reflects the Annapurna Range has indeed been a source of Nepalese pride and a major attraction for the visiting tourists.
The gorgeous Phewa Lake has transformed the lakeside area into a hot tourist spot. Hotels and restaurants have opened up around the lakeside area with modern amenities. Moreover, the lake is the means of survival for thousands including hundreds of boatmen, who make their living by ferrying people around the Phewa Lake.
But sadly, this lovely lake has fallen victim to vicious circle of problems over the years. Rapid growth of population, unplanned urbanisation, pollution, saltation and sedimentation all have taken a heavy toll on the lake. As a result, not only legendary beauty of the Lake but also its very existence has been threatened.
For the past few years, pollution in the lake has increased beyond measure, and the lake is deteriorating day by day. Contaminated water released by the hotels and private houses being dumped in the lake is making the lake uglier and the monstrous water weeds are further choking the breathe out of the lake.
“Given the rising level of pollution and the killer water weeds, the lake will no more remain the centre of attractions in the near future if the dumping trend continues. An alternative must be worked out to save the lake. There is no other way out†locals are saying.
Historically speaking, elders in Pokhara recall that the lake was much bigger 50 years ago. The lake was up to Pame, but now half of that has changed into fields.
“My grand children do not believe when I tell them this fact,†says 70 years old Halesh Jalari a fisherman.
It has been reported by the media that the dam at the lake collapsed several times. Each time it collapsed, the lakeside settlers occupied the land left by the lake.
According to Dr Debendra Bahadur Lamichhane, who has carried out a thorough study on the lake, much of the lake land was occupied in 1974 collapse of the dam.
“The Lakeside settlers cultivated this land registered them in the cadastral survey of 1975- 76. The topographical maps taken in 1957- 58 and even the aerial photographs taken by Airmap( Italy) in 1971 also reveal that the lake was much bigger,†says Dr Lamichhane.
There is an unbelievable difference in the area the lake has today and the land area registered in the Land Revenue filed books, said a sources in the District Land Revenue Office.
“And to make the matter worse, the Harpan River that meets Phewa Lake at the lacustrine plane is the sorrow of Phewa Lake in every rainy season. Studies and researches have shown that more than 1.7 million metric ton of sediment is deposited in the lake by the transportation of Harpan and its tributaries every year,†according to the media reports.
However, it is not only the Harpan River that is sedimenting the lake.
“ Sedimentation of the lake is also seriously associated with landslide hazardous areas of the watershed realm and environmentalists are of the opinion that these areas need to be demarcated and acquired if the lake is to be protected and conserved,†according to the local media reports.
“The erosion from the watershed areas has been a serious problem to control although several attempts have been made to control the erosion from the watershed areas,†locals are saying.
But analysts are saying that though the protection of the lake has been the main agenda of many local organisations but nothing concrete has been done in this regard.
The encroachment, and even the pollution in the Phewa Lake, is continuing despite the efforts of more than dozen institutions working towards its conservation.
“ There are lot of people making money in the name of Phewa Lake but only a few are really concerned about itâ€, says Sonal Shrestha, a local shopkeeper.
The fact however it that despite various workshops, seminars and projects designed especially for the preservation of the lake from the sewage and water weeds, there seems no gain whatsoever in this regard and the lake is fast approaching towards its death Dr Lamichanne remarked in 2004, “The Lake has already crossed the mesotrophic state and is in the on going stage of eutrophication. Unless the people of this area together with the local, regional, and national administrators are aware of lake’s situation, it will be eventually converted into terra firma.
But the local residents also seem indifferent to the deteriorating state of the lake and are rather involved in pollution. They are busy washing their cloths while their cattle are diving frequently in the lake.
Only a planned government intervention in time can save the lake. But is the government listening?
Pokhara’s potential for tourism is impressive. It’s comparative advantage lies in its natural beauty and fountains, its mountains and caves, and Phewa Lake - its greatest asset, and the one most squandered.
[Bhuwan Thapaliya is a Team Member at CJNepal, Image from flickr]
