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The Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC) Office is preparing to implement the declaration of Pokhara as the Tourism Capital of the country.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal formally declared Pokhara as the tourism capital of the country in collaboration with the Gandaki Province Government and the Pokhara Metropolitan City.

The aim is to meet 20 different indicators, including utilizing natural beauty and adventure tourism, to establish Pokhara as an internationally recognizable tourism brand. In light of this, the PMC has started collecting suggestions from local stakeholders through formal and informal interactions and dialogues.

Kuman Singh Gurung, member secretary of the committee formed to prepare a report on the National Tourism Capital, said that the committee has recommended prioritizing the branding of local resources.

Local stakeholders have shared their views on the benefits that Pokhara Valley and the Gandaki Province can get with the declaration of Pokhara as tourism capital and the challengers involved. 

Tourist fees should be utilized by Pokhara itself

Dr Ramji Sharma, Academician

Pokhara, known for its natural resources like lakes and biodiversity, is also an entry point for world-renowned trekking routes like the Annapurna Round Trek. Almost half of the tourists coming to Nepal come for trekking. However, permit fees paid by foreigners in Pokhara go to the federal government's fund. Pokhara Metropolitan City Office should initiate policy changes to collect royalties from tourists directly.

Call to promote ‘Organic Pokhara’ brand

Manohar Kadariya, Head, Agriculture Division, PMC

Locals are excited about agriculture. Especially after the covid pandemic, many people are returning to their villages to pursue innovative farming. However, there is a lack of encouragement and a proper market for their products. Tourists are interested in organic food. So we should inspire local people to grow organic food and vegetables so that our tourism enterprises can serve organic food to tourists. 

Local resources should be promoted

Dr Indra Prasad Tiwari, Professor, Pokhara University

If we are to ensure a good flow of tourists, effective management of local resources is very important. A strong guideline and system should be established to keep the area clean and mobilize locals to develop their areas. The provincial and local governments must set certain standards for this.

Basic facilities like restrooms should be built 

Hareram Adhikari, Travel Agency Operator

There are very few public restrooms in Pokhara. Travelers often feel uncomfortable asking for restrooms at private homes and shops. If we fail to arrange basic necessities like this, declaration of Pokhara as tourism capital would have no significance.

Public transport should be made effective

Shova Kanta Poudel, Taxi Entrepreneur

Many taxi drivers in Pokhara are unwilling to set standard fares. This is leading to unfair competition among taxi operators and leaving a negative impact on tourists. Certain codes of conduct should be prescribed for taxi drivers as they deal with guests directly. They should meet certain qualifications and maintain good manners.

Religious places should be promoted 

Dhruba Nath Adhikari, Social Worker, Lekhnath

Pokhara is rich in cultural and religious diversity. It is known as a city of cultural and religious integrity. Many tourist destinations here have historical and religious significance. We can attract more tourists by promoting these attractions. 

Other lakes should also be promoted

Birbhadra Kandel, Hotel & Restaurant Association, Lekhnath

Pokhara is known as the city of lakes. But many lakes here are not being utilized for tourism promotion. We can attract many tourists by branding and promoting these lakes. This way we can develop new tourism products for the tourism capital. 

Home Stays Should Be Encouraged 

Udaya Subedi, Homestay Management Committee

Pokhara and surrounding areas are known for medicinal plants, food, and hospitable people. Homestays can be a very good product for foreign tourists. So the provincial and local governments should bring policies for registration and regulation of home stay facilities.

Pokhara Metropolitan City has begun regulating buildings that were constructed without adhering to building codes. According to PMC officials, the metropolis is home to an estimated 150,000 cemented buildings. “A large number of them are found to have violated building codes,” said Ravi Chandra Ghimire, an engineer with Pokhara Metropolitan City.

No comprehensive research has been conducted on how many buildings in Pokhara were constructed without following the required codes. This is partly due to frequent changes in regulations driven by various ruling authorities. Prior to the establishment of local governments, buildings exceeding three stories for residential purposes were not permitted. 

After the Nepal National Building Code, 2015 came into force and the local governments were formed in 2017, Pokhara Metropolitan City conducted a survey on building construction in Pokhara under the leadership of Engineer Bharat Raj Pahari. “We have now completed work on ensuring standard norms for buildings,” Dhan Raj Aacharya, Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, said, addressing a program organized recently in Pokhara. He also announced that Pokhara would be declared a paperless city through the implementation of an electronic building permit system.

According to him, this system will maintain transparency in the building approval process and provide the public with a faster and more straightforward way to handle administrative tasks related to building construction. Efforts to manage buildings have already begun, officials of the metropolis say. The Pokhara Metropolitan City Office has published standard requirements for building construction, urging adherence to the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for both residential and business buildings.

To enforce the new standards, PMC has taken various initiatives. It has tasked ward offices with mapping all buildings within their jurisdictions. Likewise, it recently issued a notice to triple fines for those who violate building codes. “Pokhara is not just the headquarters of Gandaki Province; it is also the tourism capital of the country and a business hub,” said Engineer Pahari. “With almost 5,000 buildings added every year, urban management is worsening. Strict adherence to building codes is essential.”

Namkya Gurung, a local of Kagbeni, spends a part of his day visiting the land where his house once stood before it was washed away by the raging waters of the Kagkhola River.

Namkya is preparing the ground to rebuild his home on the very land that his forefathers had bequeathed to him years ago. He told Apex that he was seeking loans to build a new house on the land.

Since the floods, he has been taking shelter in his brother’s house. His heart remains rooted in this place, bound by the deep ties to his ancestral property that transcend mere monetary value.

A dry landslide in the Jhong region of Mustang swelled the Kagkhola River and swept away houses in the Kagbeni village which sits on the confluence of the Kagkhola and Kaligandaki rivers. Timely warnings helped residents to evacuate the village before the floods arrived, but the financial and physical destruction was immense. Some houses were swept away and many others left partially damaged.

Due to greenhouse gas emissions from industrialized nations, the earth’s atmosphere has been increasingly warming over the years and decades, leading to rapid and unprecedented climate change. The adverse impacts of this global phenomenon are evident in the Himalayan regions like Mustang. Experts attribute last year’s flooding in Kagbeni as a consequence of these climatic changes. 

According to the Bar Agung Mukti Kshetra Rural Municipality, the flood completely destroyed a dozen houses and partially damaged 35 others, resulting in millions of rupees in losses, including damage to private and government buildings, schools, apple farms, and livestock. Despite the challenges, the resilience of the Kagbeni residents is evident as they are trying to reconstruct their homes and safeguard their land. They seem undeterred by the looming threat of future climate-induced calamities as their emotional attachment to the land runs deep. They remain hopeful of rebuilding their lives once the Kagkhola river is properly managed to prevent future overflows. 

“This is the only land plot I have. Where else can I go?” asked Namkya. 

Santu Gurung, another resident, has temporarily relocated his family to a nearby location. But he remains uneasy, not out of fear of the flood but due to the changing rainfall patterns in Mustang, which pose a threat to the traditional mud, stone, and wood houses of the region. Tsering, Santu Gurung’s younger daughter, expresses her confusion over the increased rainfall in recent years. Shantu is hopeful of getting back to his old settlement in Kagbeni soon.

“I am sure they will be able to reclaim the flooded land,” Shantu said. “Then we will return to Kagbeni and build our house.”

While some flood victims have been physically displaced, their emotional ties to the land remain unbroken. They are determined to reclaim their land bank. That is why they are erecting stone walls on their land and repairing their damaged houses, even at the cost of significant financial investment. Bhim Gurung, for instance, is investing more than Rs 2.5m to rebuild his three-story cemented house, while his family lives in a rented accommodation nearby.

Thombo Gurung, another local, is saddened by the loss of his three houses to the Kagkhola flood. “We had started a good business here and were working to promote Kagbeni as a tourist destination,” Thombo said. “But floods washed away everything.”

The displaced flood victims, however, are hopeful of returning to Kagbeni soon. But their hopes of return depend on the government's response and assurances for their settlement.

“We have not received any formal response from the federal and provincial governments even though it has been a long time since we placed our demands,” Karma Gyacho Gurung, the chairperson of Ward-4 of Baragung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality.

The Nobel Laureate, Sir Richard John Roberts, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1993, visited Pokhara University on Friday. The event was organized by Pokhara University in cooperation with Gandaki Province Academy of Science and Technology (GPAST) and Pokhara University Research Center (PURC).

During his visit, Sir Roberts shared his experiences from his professional journey in the field of medicine with nearly 80 students. He discussed techniques related to nutrition security, food security, controlling environmental pollution, and eliminating poverty through the proper use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). He presented various facts and data concerning Genetic Engineering, Bacillus, Golden Rice, beta-carotene in grain, and more.

In his interaction with the students, the Nobel Laureate suggested that the government of Nepal formulate policies and programs to encourage the application of genetic engineering for the production of goods and services. He emphasized that such initiatives would be beneficial in terms of health, environment, and finance.

The program was attended by key figures such as Registrar of Pokhara University, Deepak Bahadur Bhandari, Dean of Faculty of Health Science, Amar Nagila, Executive Director of International Relation Center, Umesh Singha Yadav, and Executive Director of Gandaki Province Academy of Science and Technology, Dhaka Ram Bhandari, along with students from Pokhara University.

Every year, in the run up to the International Women’s Day (March 8), local bodies organize various programs centered around women empowerment, inclusion, and representation. There are several women groups, such as Aama Samuha, Tole Vikas Sanstha, Mahila Samiti, and Women Vikas Sanjal, that take up women’s issues. Meanwhile, local governments do their part by allocating a certain amount of funds for the upliftment of targeted groups, including women, children, marginalized communities, and senior citizens. Lal Subba Gurung, Vice-chairperson of Rupa Rural Municipality, says while the conditions of rights and representation of women have improved over the years, there are still many challenges—from budget allocation to policy making to better representation—that need to be overcomed. Smita Adhikari of ApEx spoke with Gurung on the challenges faced by women and the works being done by Rupa Rural Municipality to address them.

Tell us what your rural municipality is doing for the local women?

We have been carrying out several programs to empower targeted women groups by providing them training, orientations, and resources, as well as providing them with social and legal consultations. For this, we have been reaching out in the community to ask local women about their needs, especially in regard to implementing the programs designed for targeted groups. We have also been increasing the size of our budget for women.  

What changes have you observed regarding the condition of women in your area over the years?

In the initial days, women here faced immense challenges because of traditional perception held by men towards women. Gathering women in one place for an event or a program was very difficult. It turned out that many women weren’t allowed by their family members to attend the program. We also found that some women choose not to attend the program because they were too caught up with their household chores. As a result, we were unable to teach them about their rights and responsibilities. The situation has improved a lot over the years, but we are yet to make the desired progress.

What are the consequences of women staying passive and not seeking their role in local development?

First of all, when women are passive about their rights and roles in local development,  there is a risk of the budget allocated to the target women groups getting frozen. We have experienced this in our municipality, which has led to limited allocation in the women development sector. In such a case, the local government will be powerless when it comes to coming up with better programs and policies for women. The women’s population in most parts of the country is higher than that of men, so logically it is the women who should be given the first priority in terms of developing ownership. But that is not happening. To increase women’s participation and engagement in development works, we have enhanced community outreach to pull the attention of local women. Conventional perception of society towards women and financial dependency are the major problems as to why women in rural areas are not able to make their voices heard. So we are trying to address these problems through various programs, such as skill development and social counseling.  

What is the current status of women in villages?

If you compare the situation of women now and a couple of years back, you can see that today there are many committees focused on women development. Most of these committees are registered with the municipal offices as Aama Samuha, Mahila Sanjal, Mahila Adhikar Dabab Samuha, and so on. Similarly, Many Tole Vikash Sanstha (Neighborhood Development Organization) actively work in local areas, and they have seen increased participation of women over the years. Obviously, it indicates a silver lining of hope for women’s development in rural Nepal. But again, there are lots of improvements left to be desired. 

What do you expect from local women groups? 

Only forming groups and carrying out minor programs is not enough to meet the goal of inclusion and equity. Local women should actively seek their role in development works and governance. We want to empower women groups and enable them to participate actively in planning and execution of development programs.

Surya Prasad Lamichhane, a resident of Begnas Lake area in Pokhara-31, has gained global recognition for his remarkable ability to cover his body with live bees for hours. He drew the attention of the Guinness Book of World Records in 2016 when news spread worldwide that he covered his body with 30,000 live bees continuously for two hours.

Surya’s care, nurture, and interest in bees have established him as a renowned beekeeper. He has trained beekeeping to some 15,000 youths and farmers over the past decade. “About 20 percent of those who learnt beekeeping from me are foreigners,” Surya shared with ApEx during the 20th anniversary celebration of his farm recently. During the ceremony, Surya distributed honey produced in his farm to all the participants and other stakeholders. In an interview with ApEx, Surya shared insights into his farm and beekeeping as a profession. Excerpts:

Please tell us about your farm.

I produce almost 1,500 kg of honey every year. I have set up 300 bee hives in fields that I have taken on lease from other farmers. You can see my hives in the mustard fields. Honey is not only beneficial for health but also has the potential to attract foreign investments. It serves as a medicine for numerous diseases as it has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and antibacterial agents. In cold weather, it is highly beneficial when consumed with hot water.

Why are you distributing your honey for free today?

I have observed a lesser interest in locals compared to people of other countries when it comes to consumption of honey. I want to increase the value of honey for locals and express gratitude to my neighbors, stakeholders, and acquaintances for their support extended to me. That is why I distributed honey free of cost to celebrate 20th anniversary of my farm

 You are known world over despite coming from a small village. What do you think are the reasons behind your success?

One needs to have a willpower to succeed. I did not conduct any feasibility study before starting my business. I dedicated myself fully to my farm, making decisions based on my own assessment of whether to continue the work. The area where I keep my hives is recognized for its wetland and abundant biodiversity with medicinal plants. Honey produced here is of high quality. My dedication led me to gain global recognition, and I did not give up despite facing challenges initially. I have provided training to youth volunteers from various countries, and the global demand for organic honey has increased. This has prompted people to learn the indigenous beekeeping techniques.

How do you see beekeeping contributing to national development?

Every sector can contribute to the national economy if managed well. Beekeeping can attract significant capital, but unfortunately, the government's response to this sector has been disappointing. No research has been undertaken to measure the potential of beekeeping among diverse natural plant species. Local farmers are not getting due recognition. People from different parts of the country have invited me to learn beekeeping. But not a single local unit is taking initiative to expand beekeeping. The government's indifference to this sector has led to a scarcity of technicians to guide and innovate in beekeeping.

A week ago, some local residents in Pokhara placed a statue of late king Birendra Saha at Rambazaar Birendra Chowk, a central junction for Pokhara wards 10, 14, and 15. The statue was installed at midnight to avoid potential repercussions from authorities. 

While the act comes in defiance of previous removals of kings' statues across Pokhara following the monarchy's abolition in Nepal, the group that mounted the statue say that they did it with the consent of the local residents.

The news about the statue installation spread rapidly, drawing the attention of the District Administration Office, Kaski, and local government offices. However, the officials who reached the scene to see the statue did not give a clear answer whether they will remove it or let it be.

 "We have not decided yet on what to do," said  Moti Raj Timilsina, the spokesperson for Pokhara Metropolitan Office. The office will consider taking action if it is deemed contrary to the values of local governance.

The decision to place the king's statue traces back several years, with formal approval from the previous local government. It must be one of the reasons as to why the current local government is silent about the matter.

Man Bir Gurung, a 90-year-old local resident who led the group that placed the statue of king Birendra, said they had obtained a formal approval from the ward offices and the consent of local residents and political parties to commemorate the late king.

“We wanted to keep the memories of the former king in our hearts and minds,” he said.  

Earlier, the same spot used to have a bust of king Birendra, but it was destroyed by the Maoist supporters during the people’s movement of 2006, which culminated with the abolition of centuries old monarchy in Nepal.

Ganesh Poudel Chhetri, chairman of group, said despite facing challenges  due to political changes, they were determined to keep the memory of late king alive by erecting his statue. 

“We had the consent of local residents and a letter of approval from the ward offices as well,” he added.

The group consists of almost 100 locals from diverse political affiliations and civil society. Two years ago, Pokhara ward 10 office had  recommended placing the statue, considering the overwhelming local interest and consensus. 

Sammar Bahadur Shrestha, a former ward representative from Nepali Congress, affirmed the decision.

“Considering the locals’ support, we had decided to allow the group to install the statue,” he said.

Pokhara, often referred to as the ‘Garden City of Lakes’ in Nepal, boasts a picturesque landscape adorned with nine lakes. Each of these lakes, including the renowned Fewa, holds significant ecological value, contributing to a well-balanced and diverse ecosystem within the valley. The Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley, which includes all nine lakes, have been designated as a Ramsar site, recognizing their global importance as wetland areas.

As a world-renowned wetland, the lakes in Pokhara host a rich array of aquatic plants and animals. Among these, fish play a pivotal role as indicators of the overall ecosystem health. However, recent trends indicate a diminishing importance of these lakes in sustaining connections with indigenous plants and insects. The decline in the number of local fish species within these lakes has been alarming. Notably, vital plants like Lotus are experiencing a sharp decline, contributing to the proliferation of polluted vegetation such as water hyacinth, which covers the lake's surface.

Compounding these ecological concerns is the shift in the economic activities of local communities. In the past, residents were engaged in the trade of indigenous and medicinally valued fishes like Baam, Bhittye, Fageta, and Shahar. However, this traditional practice is undergoing a transformation, with hybrid fish varieties like Nile Tilapia and Mahur replacing the high-value indigenous species.

“The significance of the fish in these lakes today has been reduced to merely a business,” said Birendra Dhakal, a local resident of Rupa Lake, expressing his concerns over the noticeable invasion of unnecessary plants and hybrid fishes in the lake.

Dhakal’s sentiments echo those of many residents around the lakes of Pokhara, all deeply troubled by the threat to the indigenous species of fish and medicinal plants and various other aquatic life in the lake’s watershed area. Rajan Jalari, a seasoned fisherman from Fewa Lake, highlighted the surprising surge in the number of hybrid fishes in the lake over recent years. Raja, who belongs to the Jalari community engaged in fisheries for generations, said he too has no option but to sell hybrid varieties like Nile Tilapia which don’t fetch good prices. “To break free from relying on selling hybrid varieties, I am contemplating setting up my own fish cage in the lake. This way, I hope to nurture local fish varieties,” he shared.

According to local fishermen, nearly all the lakes in Pokhara and surrounding areas have seen proliferation of hybrid varieties, particularly Nile Tilapia. The presence of Tilapia has had a detrimental impact on the native fish species, creating competition for both food and habitat. The prolific breeding capacity of Nile Tilapia has affected indigenous varieties in lakes in Pokhara.

Jhalak Jalari, who leads the Begnas Fisheries Association, said Nile Tilapia now constitutes nearly half of the total fish population in the lakes. “This number might increase further in the days to come,” Jhalak added.

The concern over the decline in local fish populations is not only shared by the locals but is also substantiated by the Fisheries Research Station,Pokhara. According to the station, it has been hatching a high number of fish fries belonging to local species such as Rahu, Sahar and Naini, etc, and releasing them into the lakes every year. “However, the population of these local fish varieties is not growing as expected,” said Dr Akbal Husen, the Fishery Scientist and Chief of the Fishery Research Station, Pokhara.

Dr Husen attributed slow growth of local fish population to the lack of plankton in the water which serves as both food and a crucial habitat for the hatch of local fishes. “The presence of a large number of exotic fish, particularly Nile Tilapia, exacerbates the issue. As a hybrid fish, Nile Tilapia poses a threat by preying on small fishes, including fries, and competes for food with other fish species,” he said.

He said enhancing plankton levels in the water by maintaining a pollution-free environment and avoiding pesticide use in the watershed area is one of the solutions to mitigate this problem.