February 11, Pokhara: The Government of Nepal has declared the Phewa Reservoir as a protected area to make it clean and prolong its life. Chairman of the Land and Conservation Committee Kaski and Chief of the District Coordination Committee Kaski Bain Bahadur Adhikari Chhetri said that the meeting of the Council of Ministers declared Phewa lake as the protected area as per the recommendation of the committee.
Fewa Lake reservoir area is spread over 123 sq km. Due to increasing settlement and population, development without conservation thinking, the area of Fewa Lake is decreasing. In order to prolong the life of Phewa Lake, an integrated plan is required in view of the high rainfall and weak topography of the Phewa reservoir area. Considering the age of the lake decreasing, it has been declared a protected area to protect the lake from erosion and floods, and landslides. The Supreme Court had twice directed the Government of Nepal to take initiative for declaring Phewa lake a protected area.
The Land and Conservation Committee, Kaski, had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Forests and Environment through the Department of Forests and Environment in July last year after holding discussions with the stakeholders.
About 64% of the lake area falls at the potential risk of erosion. Floods, erosion, and threshing of rivers are increasing the flooding of the lake every year.
