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Pokhara: Dil Bahadur Gurung (67) of Tangting in Madi Rural Municipality of Kaski, which falls within the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), recounts his experience of increasing water scarcity in areas that once had abundant water even during winter.

Gurung, who operated a sheep farm for 30 years in  Kori, now a popular tourist attraction in the Annapurna Conservation Area, said that areas that previously had water sources in abundance during winter are now becoming dry. Gurung noticed a significant change in water availability when he led a team to study trekking trails to Kori in 2021.

The team, which started the trek from Krapu Hill in Jan 2021, faced water scarcity for both drinking and cooking on their first night at Chamro. Gurung recalled seeing previously abundant spring sources dry up for the first time that year. The team managed to provide water for the 20-member team with difficulty, he added.

Upon reaching the Kori Hill (3,800 meters), Gurung found that all known water sources had dried up. The team had to spend the night without food due to the lack of water. They later found a gallon of water in a locked shed which they used sparingly to quench their thirst. Gurung said he never experienced such water scarcity during his years of moving sheep farms across high alpine regions

The districts of Manang and Mustang, beyond the Himalayas, are known as rain shadow zones. However, these areas within the Annapurna Conservation Area have recently been experiencing heavy rainfall. The cold desert regions of Mustang and Manang are now facing increased incidents of flooding, resulting in loss of life and property.

Conservation expert Dr Hum Bahadur Gurung suggests constructing ponds to manage water resources, as the increasing dryness in high alpine regions during winter affects not only trekkers but also wildlife. Stating that the drying up of water sources could impact the biodiversity of high-altitude areas, he urged concerned authorities to address the issue. Since traditionally rain shadow areas have started receiving rainfall during the monsoon season, he urged authorities for new structures and development approaches to adapt to these changing conditions.

Rivers dry up as water is diverted into hydropower tunnel

Studies show that the rate of snow melting in the Himalayas is increasing. Recent research also indicates a growing problem of water sources drying up in high Himalayan and hilly regions.

Locals of Madi Rural Municipality in Kaski report an additional problem arising from human behavior causing streams to dry up. Bhupal Gurung, a resident of Sabi in Madi-7, said that temperatures have been rising during winter in recent years, and heavy floods during the rainy season sometimes force them to abandon their settlements. “As if it were not enough, hydropower projects divert all the water from rivers into tunnels during winter, causing the rivers to dry up and increasing temperatures in nearby settlements,” he said. “The river used to bring cool air when it was flowing. Now, the power projects have taken all the water into tunnels. The river is dry, and it’s getting hotter,” he said.

The drying up of rivers not only increases temperatures but also destroys biodiversity, according to Gurung. He said floods can force people to flee their settlements during the rainy season, while in winter, the dry streams affect those who rely on fishing for their livelihood. He has also observed fish populations disappearing, and aquatic animals and wildlife dependent on water are no longer seen.

Before the construction of hydropower projects, various species of water birds used to visit the local rivers. These birds are no longer seen these days. There used to be plenty of otters that feed on fish. With the streams no longer flowing, various fish species have disappeared, and the otters and water birds that came to feed on them are no longer seen, locals say.

Rivers and streams naturally have less water in winter. The situation becomes chronic when hydropower projects divert all available water into tunnels to maintain operations during this low-flow period. Devi Jung Gurung, chairperson of Madi Rural Municipality, said that the drying up of rivers affects not only the locals but also the environment, aquatic life and wildlife. He said that the disappearance of streams has led to the extinction of aquatic species and impacted the environment.

Locals say the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) should monitor whether hydropower projects are releasing the mandated 10 percent of water flow into the streams as per their agreements. Dr Rabin Kadariya, chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), said that they have been monitoring water release within their jurisdiction and sending letters to non-compliant projects urging them to adhere to the agreement. “We also respond to public complaints by contacting the relevant hydropower projects to ensure compliance,” he added. “So far, we have only been issuing reminders through letters and phone calls to non-compliant hydropower projects. From this  year, we plan to take legal action if the situation persists.”

Dr Kadariya remains hopeful that projects will comply with the water release agreements to avoid facing legal consequences. He also noted that water scarcity issues in streams are most critical during the months of Chaitra and Baisakh (mid-March to mid-May).

Local representatives say hydropower projects are being built within the Annapurna Conservation Area without proper consideration of the local environment and biodiversity.

The chairpersons of Annapurna Rural Municipality in Myagdi and Madi Rural Municipality in Kaski state that hydropower projects are being built in these biodiversity-rich Himalayan areas without any coordination with local governments. Projects receive construction permits directly from the federal government without discussing the status of local wildlife, aquatic life, or the appropriate elevation limits for construction with the rural municipalities, they added.

Bharat Kumar Pun, chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality, said that a hydropower project is being constructed up to Hum Khola at an elevation of 2,883 meters on the Northern Annapurna Base Camp trekking route. “Roads built for hydropower projects have shortened the North Annapurna Base Camp trek from 9-10 days to just 3-4 days. This has impacted the local environment and tourism,” Pun added.

Although environmental impact assessments are conducted, Pun said that the numerous hydropower projects along the rivers are affecting biodiversity by drying up streams during winter as they divert water into tunnels. Local representatives claim that while environmental impact assessment reports are prepared before project initiation, they often prove impractical.

Madi Rural Municipality Chairperson Gurung said hydropower projects in Himalayan regions are initiated with direct approval from the federal government, without coordination with local governments regarding potential impacts. This lack of attention to local biodiversity conservation is affecting the environment, he added.

Hydropower project work is ongoing near Kapuche Glacier Lake, Nepal’s lowest glacier lake, up to Hugu Goth, according to Gurung. 

Raju Acharya, director of Friends of Nature, an organization working in the conservation area for three decades, said hydropower projects at the foot of the Annapurna range are affecting the habitats and grazing areas of rare wildlife such as Himalayan black bears and snow leopards. He added that when projects fail to release the agreed amount of water into streams, it directly impacts aquatic life, plants and wildlife.

As many as 23 small and large hydropower projects are currently operational within the Annapurna Conservation Area, generating 312 MW of electricity. Eleven projects under construction will produce an additional 1,018 MW.

ACAP Chief Dr Kadariya said 69 more areas within the conservation area are under study for potential hydropower projects.

Unauthorized hotels, restaurants on the rise

The Annapurna Conservation Area has seen an increase in unauthorized construction of hotels and restaurants on government land. This trend has been growing since 2017, with many structures built during the Covid-19 pandemic. These establishments have been constructed by clearing forests within the conservation area by using locally sourced timber and construction materials.

The lack of coordination between local rural municipalities and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) during the pandemic period allowed for the proliferation of these unauthorized structures, locals say. Some of these constructions reportedly involve investments from local representatives.

In 2010, the ACAP Liaison Office in Pokhara decided to confiscate houses and sheds built by encroaching on government and forest land within the Annapurna Conservation Area and slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 per person, as per Section 28 of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972.

The hotel operators challenged the decision in Kaski District Court. The district court, however, upheld the decision taken by ACAP Liaison Office in 2022. Recently, the Kaski District Court also upheld ACAP’s decision on five additional hotels. Rabin Chaudhary of ACAP Liaison Office in Pokhara, reported that two more cases involving structures on government land within the conservation area are still pending.

Out of 115 illegally constructed hotels, restaurants, and other structures on the Mardi trekking trail, the district court has now upheld ACAP’s decision on 16 hotels.

Previously, ACAP had the authority to investigate and decide on illegal activities within the conservation area. However, recent legal amendments require such cases to be handled through the district court.

With the increasing popularity of new trekking routes like Mardi Himal, Khumai, Krapu Hill, Kapuche Lake and Kori Hill, there has been a rush to build hotels and restaurants. ACAP data shows that 314 businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and tea shops, are operating on government land within the conservation area.

About 200 hotels and restaurants were registered before 2016. After the election of local representatives in 2017, rural municipalities demanded the authority to register and approve hotels. This has led to a situation where previously registered establishments haven’t renewed their licenses, and newly built structures have no legal basis for taxation. As a result, the government is not receiving any revenue from these 314 hotels built on land in conservation areas.

Conservation activists say that while local communities were once actively involved in forest and wildlife conservation, recent trends show locals building tourist infrastructure on government land without permission, focusing more on exploitation than conservation.

Record tourist numbers boost revenue

The Annapurna Conservation Area has reported unprecedented tourist numbers and revenue for the 2023/24 fiscal year. According to the ACAP, 222,180 tourists visited the Annapurna Region during the review year, generating a record fee of Rs 383.68m.

This year’s figures represent a significant increase from the previous year, which saw 172,510 visitors and Rs 306.6m in revenue. The current numbers also surpass the pre-covid peak of 181,000 tourists recorded in 2018/19. Of the total visitors this year, 117,845 were from SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries, while 104,296 came from other nations.

ACAP applies different fee structures based on visitors' origin. SAARC country nationals pay Rs 2,000 per person, while other international visitors are charged Rs 3,000. A nominal fee of Rs 100 is set for domestic tourists, although this is often not collected.

The substantial revenue from tourist entry fees has attracted attention from various stakeholders. However, conservation activists say the three tiers of government have not paid adequate attention to sustainable tourism development and biodiversity conservation in the region.

Revenue and ownership disputes

The management of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has been a subject of controversy. On 19 Jan 2024, the Council of Ministers decided to hand over the management responsibility of both the Annapurna and Manaslu conservation areas to the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) for four years. The management contract of the Annapurna Conservation Area had not been renewed since 16 Jan 2021.

While this decision resolved the uncertainty about who would manage ACAP for the next four years, the Gandaki Province Government and local bodies have been consistently demanding that the Annapurna Conservation Area, which generates the highest revenue among all conservation areas in the country, should come under provincial jurisdiction.

Surendra Raj Pandey, the Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, has been advocating for both ACAP and MCAP (Manaslu Conservation Area Project) to come under provincial control. He has been discussing this issue with local representatives from the rural municipalities within these conservation areas.

Chiranjivi Sharma Poudel, the Chief Attorney of Gandaki Province, stated that the provincial government is clear that conservation areas within Gandaki Province should be under provincial control. He argued that it is not legally sound for the federal government to entrust these areas to an NGO-model organization. Poudel explained that the government’s decision to hand over forest management of the two conservation areas to the NTNC was based on a law from 1972, which is outdated given Nepal’s transition to a federal system.

“Article 304 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015, invalidates any laws that are inconsistent with federal principles,” he said, arguing that while the constitution gives management authority to the provinces, the federal government’s decision to give this authority to an NGO goes against the spirit of the constitution. He has advised the Chief Minister that this decision could be overturned if challenged in the Supreme Court.

The National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission is a constitutional body responsible for distributing national revenue. It collects revenue from across the country and distributes it according to constitutional guidelines. There is a legal provision to distribute funds to provinces, the federal government, and local bodies on a proportional basis.

“Provinces should receive their share through the commission. However, no money is being deposited with the Commission as an NGO-model organization has taken over the forest management,” Poudel said. “This raises questions about financial transparency. The Gandaki province government, therefore, must insist that conservation areas within the province should be under provincial control.”

Juddha Bahadur Gurung, a member of the commission, revealed that they had recommended two years ago that royalties from ACAP should be distributed. The commission, according to Gurung, has suggested allocating 25 percent each to rural municipalities and the province, and 50 percent to the federal government. He noted that 16 rural municipalities in Gandaki Province that fall within the Annapurna Conservation Area, along with Ward-19 of Pokhara, would receive a share of 25 percent.

However, this recommendation is reportedly stalled at the Ministry of Finance. It has been suggested that the 50 percent allocated to the federal government would be given to ACAP and NTNC as management expenses. Gurung added that the commission recommended that the royalties received by provinces and rural municipalities should be spent within the designated conservation areas.

Roads shortening trekking trails

The world-renowned Annapurna trekking region is facing challenges due to road expansion, even in uninhabited areas. This development is disappointing tourists who come to enjoy trekking in the Himalayan region.

Sheshkant Sharma, former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association’s Gandaki chapter, said while overall tourist numbers in the Annapurna trekking area are at an all-time high, there has been a decline in trekkers from Europe, the US and the UK who prefer longer treks.

“Road expansion has occurred in conservation areas without human settlements”, Sharma said. “Provincial and local governments haven't paid attention to the potential negative impacts. For instance, roads have been extended to uninhabited areas like Kruphu and Hugu Gotha near Kaphuche Lake in the Annapurna Conservation Area,” he added.

In Kruphu, the road was built with federal government funds. In Kapuche, despite requests to consider the sensitivity of the Himalayan region and biodiversity, a hydroelectric project has been constructed up to the base of the mountain.

Sharma said roads are being built to Nar-Phu region (4,200 meters), Dharmashala (4,650 meters) above Muktinath Temple on the way from Manang via Thorong Pass, Aalubaari (3,900 meters) on the Dhaulagiri trekking route, and Yak Kharka (3,860 meters) on the trail to Tilicho Lake from Jomsom.

As a result of road constructions, the Annapurna Circuit trek, which used to take 21 days, can now be completed in just one week. This has led to a decrease in tourists who prefer longer treks.

Conservation expert Dr Hum Bahadur Gurung warns that road network development in uninhabited high Himalayan areas could impact wildlife grazing areas and habitats, and increase the risk of landslides, among other problems.

Annapurna Conservation Area, spanning 7,629 square kilometers in five districts of Gandaki Province, was declared in 1992. The area is home to a population of 92,675 and serves as a vital source of clean water for Pokhara city.

The area is rich in biodiversity, home to over 1,800 plant species, 128 mammal species, 518 bird species, and hundreds of reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. It is the only conservation area in Nepal where all six native pheasant species can be found. The region also boasts cultural significance with sites like Muktinath attracting both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims.

This story has been produced with the support of the Internews Earth Journalism Network through the Media for Inclusive Green Growth project

Driven by the dream of a better life, Hari Prasad Aryal left his hometown of Waling, Syangja, in October 2023 and flew to Russia. 

The 23-year-old, who had served in the Nepal Army for nearly three years, enlisted himself in the Russian Armed Forces and was soon thrust into the battlefield with the Ukrainian army. Hari lost his life sometime in December last year. 

Until December 8, Hari kept in touch with his family, sharing snippets of his life in the foreign military. However, the prolonged silence raised concerns, and his family, desperate for answers, reached out to his friends. Hari’s middle brother, Raju, told ApEx that they learned about Hari’s death through other Nepali enlistees in the Russian army. The government would confirm his demise only in January.

Hari, the youngest of three sons, had initially joined the Nepal Army after completing his twelfth grade. But fueled by a desire for better financial prospects, he left the army to explore opportunities in foreign security forces. His ambitions unfortunately led to his untimely death.

Hari’s parents Rudra Prasad and Balkumari have been devastated by the loss of a son who harbored dreams of giving his family a better life. 

Despite Rudra Prasad receiving a pension from his previous work in India, it proves insufficient for the family. Hari's two brothers, Kamal and Raju, sought employment in Dubai for better opportunities. 

Kamal, the eldest, couldn't attend Hari’s last rites, having returned to Dubai just five months ago. Raju, currently home for Dashain-Tihar celebrations, extended his leave upon hearing the tragic news and plans to return to Dubai in the second week of February.

 “We don’t find good job opportunities here. If our salaries could cover family expenses, none of us would have sought employment abroad,” said Raju.

The Aryal family hails from Mankhu, located just half an hour's drive from the district headquarters, Waling. Despite owning a small piece of farmland, crop damage caused by monkeys forced them to leave the village, and they now live in a rented apartment in Waling.

“Hari's dream of building a good house for his parents remains unfulfilled,” said his uncle Buddhi Aryal. 

Rudra Prasad, nearing 80 and grappling with asthma, frequently succumbs to emotional breakdowns as he reminisces about his youngest son.

Despite discussions with authorities to repatriate Hari’s body, the family were informed of the impossibility. So the family performed the last rites without the physical presence of the deceased, using a small dummy made of Kush grass to symbolize Hari's body. The funeral rites were carried out on the banks of the Kali Gandaki river recently. 

Hari’s social media presence painted a picture of a young man in the Russian military uniform, sharing moments from his life in the military. In a poignant video posted on October 28, Hari can be seen singing a song about the plight of migrant workers, surrounded by fellow Nepalis in Russian military gear. 

His last post on December 4 featured a video of friends heading to the warfront with the caption: “Life is like this, we will meet if we come back, otherwise…” 

Chandani Sharma (21) of Baglung had heard that paragliding is operated in the skies of Pokhara, but she hadn’t imagined she would one day soar like birds. A student of BEd at the Prithvi Narayan Campus, Sharma was aware that Blind Rocks was taking visually impaired individuals for paragliding, but she didn’t believe she would get the opportunity herself.

“When Shristi informed me on Sunday that I would get a chance to paraglide, I was very curious. People used to say the sky is blue, but I have never experienced it,” Sharma said. “Soaring like birds and feeling the cold breeze was a memorable experience for me.”

Sharma said that events like this are important to send a message to society which still believes that people with disabilities can do nothing. “Although I could see nothing, my pilot Ram Gautam described to me how Pokhara looks from the sky,” she added.

Blind Rocks organized the inclusive paragliding program to spread the message that physical disabilities and visual impairment do not stop anyone from reaching new heights in life. Shristi KC, the founder of Blind Rocks, also thoroughly enjoyed her flight. “Entering into the clouds was the highlight of the experience. I always dreamed of flying above the clouds. It was a fun-filled experience,” KC added.

KC shared how her pilot briefed her about everything during the flight. “He informed me when we entered the cloud and described the green fields, Harpan Khola entering Fewa Lake, and the overall scenery of Pokhara,” she added. She also explained how her first paragliding experience brought positivity into her life and felt that other visually impaired individuals should also have the opportunity. As a result, she arranged for 10 visually impaired individuals, including two foreigners, to experience paragliding through her organization.

Thomas Sidleyn of Australia and Christopher John of the US expressed their happiness in listening to their pilots’ descriptions of the bird’s eye view of Pokhara city. For Thomas, a member of Blind Rocks, who is visiting Nepal for the second time, this was his first paragliding flight. “It’s not necessary to see to enjoy the beauty. We can also listen to others’ experiences and sense our surroundings,” he added. The program was organized in coordination with the Pokhara Metropolitan City, and the Nepal Air Sports Association offered free flights to visually impaired individuals.

The number of trekkers visiting the Annapurna Conservation Area has bounced back and reached the pre-covid levels.

A total of 172,108 trekkers visited the area in the fiscal year 2022/23, according to Rabin Kadariya, the information officer of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). This figure comes close to the pre-covod record of 183,357 trekkers in 2018/19. This is the highest footfall the area has seen so far

After the outbreak, however, trekker numbers dropped to 104,165 trekkers in 2019/20 and a meager 4,916 in 2020/21 during the peak of the pandemic. However, there was a positive resurgence, with numbers picking up to 75,824 in 2021/22. In the fiscal year 2022/23, ACAP generated Rs 299.43m (including VAT) from permit fees.

As only the ACAP and Pokhara International Airport records the number of tourists visiting Pokhara, the exact number of foreign tourists visiting Gandaki Province is not precisely known. The provincial tourism ministry had initiated the registration of foreign tourists two years before the covid pandemic, but it has been discontinued now.

With the commencement of construction on Pokhara International Airport, tourism entrepreneurs have made substantial investments in various tourism infrastructures such as hotels, restaurants, and several adventure activities. The hotel industry alone received investments of over Rs 100bn in the past five years, according to Laxman Subedi, president of Pashchimanchal Hotel Song Pokhara, the industry lobby representing hotels operating in Pokhara and its surrounding areas.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi handed over the ceremonial key of Pokhara Regional International Airport to his Nepali counterpart Narayan Khadka this past week.

But is the airport, built with Chinese assistance, ready for operation? And the answer is a resounding no.

A lot remains to be done, say officials.

According to Binesh Munkarmi, the project chief, decoration and finishing works, procurement of ground vehicles, installation of boarding bridges and construction of fuel storage have not even started.

But the main hurdle to flight operation, he says, lies outside the main project area.

Pokhara’s landfill site, which lies within a 3km radius of the airport, is one of the major obstacles, as it attracts the birds that in turn could hit aircrafts.

Ornithologist Hemsagar Baral says it is an international practice to relocate the landfill site close to a new airport six months prior to its operation.

Pokhara has many species of scavenger vultures and eagles, some of them endangered, Baral says. “It is important to relocate the existing landfill site to protect these birds.”

Rithepani hill, situated east of the airport, presents another hurdle.

 The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has suggested flattening the hilltop by 40 meters for the operation of international flights. But the work for the same hasn’t progressed much. An environmental assessment report (EIA) for clearing the trees on the hill is yet to be approved by the Ministry of Forests and Environment. The hill must be cut down by at least 14 meters to conduct calibration flights.

“We can cut down the hill within a month. But first we need government approval,” says Munkarmi.

Pokhara’s unmanaged sewage and canal system could also hinder airport operation. The airport is located close to an irrigation canal, which overflows during the rainy season.

Last year, the canal was breached following heavy rains. The overflow of floodwater had then led to the erosion of a cliff overlooking the Bijayapur River east of the airport. 

“Without effective measures against flood and erosion, the ground where the airport stands itself is in danger,” says Hemanta Dhakal, a local resident.

There could be a problem in securing international route permits if these problems are not addressed soon.

Project officials say they have already requested Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, Civil Aviation Minister Prem Ale, Gandaki Chief Minister Krishna Chandra Nepali and Pokhara Mayor Man Bahadur GC to remove these hurdles at the earliest.

Bishnuhari Adhikari, Pokhara’s civil-society leader, says obstructions posed by Pokhara’s landfill site, Rithepani hill, and unmanaged sewage and canal system weren’t unforeseen contingencies.

“These hurdles were there all along. But they were not acknowledged on time,” he says.

Climate change has affected just about every living creature on planet earth. Birds are not immune to it as well. Bird habitats are dwindling due to rising temperatures, greenhouse gas emissions, and drying of water sources and wetlands. As a result, the number of raptor species such as eagles and vultures are declining too.

Tulsi Subedi, who holds a doctorate in biodiversity conservation and has been researching migratory birds since 2012, says the sightings of birds of prey over the Kaski district area have been decreasing in recent times. He adds that, until 2012, around 14,000 carnivorous birds used to fly over the place in the migration season but their number has come down to around 6,000-8,000 of late. This number includes 33 different species of raptors.

Census of raptor species are conducted every year from the second week of September when they migrate in huge numbers, flying over Kande and Thula Kharka of Annapurna Rural Municipality in Kaski district. Migratory birds have been counted every year since 1983.

Steppe eagles (locally known as Gomayu Mahacheel) are the most common raptors flying over Nepal’s skies. Around 8,500 steppe eagles migrated via Kaski’s Kande and Thula Kharka in 2013 but their number declined to 4,300 in 2020, says Subedi. The bird census report of 2021 is yet to be finalized.

Also read: A zero-waste life: Less is more

According to Subedi, reduction in the number of prey species, habitat loss, temperature rise, and unfavorable migratory environment could be the reasons for the decline in the arrival of birds, which mostly come from Magnolia and China to escape extreme cold there. The steppe eagles prey on small rabbits, rodents, and small birds. Bird species migrating from Mongolia arrive in Pokhara before going to India and Pakistan.

Himalayan griffons (Himali Gidda) are the second most common raptors arriving in Nepal, and come from central China. The species sometimes stays in Nepal or goes to India’s Madhya Pradesh, returning to China in the month of May. While steppe eagles go to Mongolia from here, while Himalayan griffons come from Mongolia. Likewise, the slender-billed vultures (Khairo Gidda) come to Nepal from Europe and fly south from here.

Cinereous vultures (Raj Gidda), slender-billed vultures, and Indian vultures (Lamo Thunde Gidda) are among the other birds that arrive in Nepal to avoid the extremely cold winter. But these birds don’t incubate their eggs here. According to ornithologist Krishna Bhusal, the Indian vultures have been frequent visitors to Nepal.

“The slender-billed vultures, which come to Nepal for shelter as they migrate to escape extreme cold, have been prolonging their stay here,” says Bhusal. The birds of prey mostly enter Nepal from over the Kanchanjunga and Makalu Barun Himalayan ranges. Some birds coming from the east stop at Thula Kharka to take thermal air.

It is not just the number of visiting raptor species that is declining. The number of water birds coming here to escape extreme cold are down too, says Pokhara Bird Society Chairman Manshanta Ghimire. 

Visitors to Pokhara this October can savor the breathtaking aerial views of the Fewa Lake, the city, and mountains such as Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machhapuchhre onboard a gondola of the soon-to-be-launched cable car service.

The service connects Sarangkot, one of the most popular destinations in the Lake City to observe the rising sun, to Sedibagar on the banks of the Fewa.

“Construction had been delayed due to the corona crisis. As soon as the first lockdown was over, a team of Japanese technicians arrived and installed the gondolas,” says Tirtha Raj Tripathi, director of Annapurna Cablecar Pvt Ltd, the company setting up the service. 

Tripathi informs that the launch of the service was postponed due to the second wave of Covid-19 infections. As soon as covid restrictions are lifted, a Japanese technical team will come to Pokhara. He says the company hopes to launch the cable car service in the period between Dashain and Tihar. 

Fares for the trip to Sarangkot and back have also been fixed. A ticket will cost Rs 600 per person for Nepalis and Rs 700 for Asian tourists. The ticket will be priced at Rs 800 for tourists from elsewhere. Tripathi also adds that students and the elderly will be eligible for a 20 to 25 percent discount. The system has 18 gondolas—17 for ferrying passengers and one for cargo. The company has also set up a view tower in Sarangkot and a restaurant is also being prepared.

The estimated cost of the project has gone up several times due to the Covid-19 situation. Tripathi says that the project also had to procure more land than planned and increments in prices of construction materials hiked costs. According to Tripathi, the project’s price tag now stands at Rs 2 billion. 

A team of entrepreneurs, including Kalu Gurung, chairman of Annapurna Cable Car Pvt Ltd had begun work on the project four years ago. The cable car can serve 1,500 people per hour. 

According to Bikas Lam­sal, Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment for Gandaki, Rs 5 million budget has been apportioned for each of the three projects.

Lamsal says the provin­cial government is thinking beyond developing the prov­ince capital of Pokhara and is analyzing new projects in other districts of the province as well. This is being done in the lead up to the inter­national investment confer­ence the province is hosting in March 2019.

The provincial government has set aside a total of Rs 80 million for the Fewa Lake Conservation Program, which includes the three projects, and is working in collabora­tion with Pokhara munici­pality, according to Diwakar Poudel, the ministry spokes­person. By 2022, the pro­vincial government aims to welcome two million interna­tional tourists to Gandaki.

According to province government, tourists in Pokhara stay for an average of 2.5 days

The province foreign minis­try informs that tourists tend to stay for an average of 2.5 days in Pokhara. By introduc­ing new man-made tourist attractions without disrupting the natural beauty of the area, the goal is to make them stay longer. Local tourism entre­preneurs believe adventure activities such as paragliding, ultra-light aviation, bungee jumping, zip flying, canoeing and rafting have contributed to prolonging the Pokhara stay of tourists. The new attrac­tions will persuade even more folks to do so, they say.

Gandaki needs the permis­sion of the federal government for these endeavors as Phe­watal falls under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance and Raniban forests is an ecologi­cally diverse zone. A Detailed Project Report is being pre­pared while waiting for the final permission.

Tour operators in Pokhara say that recently trekkers have been taking buses to Manang and Mustang from Kathmandu. They treat Pokhara only as a brief tran­sit before their return to the national capital. Data shows that 64 percent of interna­tional tourists come to Nepal for trekking.