Entrepreneur Karna Shakya Protests Demolition of Waterfront Hotel in Pokhara

Kathmandu. Investor and tourism entrepreneur Karna Shakya has expressed strong objection to the demolition of the Waterfront Hotel in Pokhara by the local municipality. He alleges that the Pokhara Metropolitan City demolished the hotel's wall without any prior notice. 

Through social media, he stated: Early yesterday morning, the municipality arrived to demolish our hotel wall without any prior notice. We are filled with deep pain and concern. It is currently the tourist season, and the hotel is full of guests. Why was our hotel the first target so early in the morning? Are we bad entrepreneurs?

He further added: The 65-meter standard is not a private issue; it is a matter of national concern. Whether the policy is correct or not is a separate matter. However, our hotel has not violated any rules. We have not encroached on land. We have the land ownership certificate, approved maps, Department of Tourism license, Department of Industry certificate, and Nepal Rastra Bank permits. We have paid taxes every year and have no bank loans. We have followed all the rules an entrepreneur must follow to operate a hotel. Yet, why are we being treated so harshly?

Here is his statement

Confirmation and information regarding the Waterfront Hotel in Pokhara.

The Waterfront Hotel in Pokhara is not just a business—it is a symbol of our belief, struggle, and faith. Twenty years ago, during the Maoist movement when the country was facing an exodus of body, mind, and wealth, I decided to engage in the tourism business within the country. 

At that time, my friend Diwakar Rajkarnikar and I bought 17 ropanis of land, including the 'Buddha Lodge', from a local Pokhareli entrepreneur near Phewa Lake to build an international-standard hotel. This is the realization of our dreams, reality, sweat, and belief.

But early yesterday morning, the municipality arrived to demolish our hotel wall without any prior notice. We are filled with deep pain and concern. It is currently the tourist season, and the hotel is full of guests. Why was our hotel the first target so early in the morning? Are we bad entrepreneurs?

The 65-meter standard is not a private issue; it is a matter of national concern. Whether the policy is correct or not is a separate matter. However, our hotel has not violated any rules. We have not encroached on land. We have the land ownership certificate, approved maps, Department of Tourism license, Department of Industry certificate, and Nepal Rastra Bank permits. We have paid taxes every year and have no bank loans. We have followed all the rules an entrepreneur must follow to operate a hotel. Yet, why are we being treated so harshly?

Not only that, we have built a state-of-the-art DEWAT safety tank in coordination with UN-Habitat, the first of its kind in Pokhara. We are not bad entrepreneurs; we are responsible and conscious citizens. We are people who follow policies and rules. 

According to the standards, the hotel building is 65 meters away. It is three stories high. There is other land between the hotel and the lake, where paragliding takes place.

Thousands of settlements, industries, businesses, hotels, and restaurants are located in the Lakeside area. How can it be justified to demolish such structures without proper compensation and without prior notice? Can such a procedure be considered fair?

History shows that Phewa Lake was expanded by building a dam during the Rana regime. Later, during King Mahendra's time, the height of the dam was increased, and the lake expanded further. Thus, its form has been constantly changing over time.

Finally, in an international tourist city like Pokhara, conservation policies should be adopted for development. Where conservation should not stop development, but support it. If a fly enters a room, you don't close the window; you put up a screen.