Demolition has begun on temporary structures built in violation of standards along the shore of Phewa Lake in Pokhara. Since early Saturday morning, bulldozers have been used to tear down structures located within the 65-meter protected zone from the lake’s edge.
Among the demolished parts are the swimming pool, gate, and boundary walls of the Waterfront Resort owned by tourism entrepreneur Karna Shakya. The operation is being carried out with the deployment of Nepal Police, municipal police, and Armed Police Force Nepal personnel.
The Pokhara Metropolitan City Office had previously used bulldozers to remove illegally built structures. Following a recent order from the Supreme Court of Nepal, coordination with the provincial government led to the completion of pole installation along the lakeside. Work is now ongoing to clearly demarcate the 65-meter boundary.
After becoming Prime Minister, Balen Shah held a telephone conversation with Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya regarding encroachments around Phewa Lake. Point 76 of the government’s publicly released 100-point program mentions removing encroached structures along the lakeshore and managing the watershed area. Pokhara Metropolitan City has also submitted a progress report on Phewa Lake conservation to the Prime Minister’s Office.
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