Pokhara Metropolitan City Begins Riverbank Encroachment Clearance Drive

Pokhara. Pokhara Metropolitan City has started a campaign to clear the riverbanks of rivers and streams within the city. The process of clearing the riverbanks of the Phirke, which flows through the middle of the metropolis, is underway for the first time. The metropolis's own report shows that there are more than 160 structures on the Phirke riverbank. 

The metropolis, which has already removed 51 structures on Sunday and Monday, claims it will demolish all structures within 2 days. As the metropolis begins demolitions, there is much interest and discussion about the standards for rivers and streams in Pokhara.

Pokhara Metropolitan City has set standards by naming 27 rivers and streams here, and has set a uniform standard for other rivers. By issuing the Building and Infrastructure Construction Standards 2080, it has set standards for the construction of structures along the banks of rivers and streams. The metropolis has specified the required distance to be left from the banks to maintain the safety and natural beauty of various rivers and streams within its area, including the Seti River, Phirke, Fusre, Kali, and Bijaypur.

What are the standards for which river and stream?

The Seti River, the largest and longest in Pokhara, has a standard of 30 meters. The same standard has been maintained from Puranchaur to Kotre. Similarly, the Mardi River also has a standard of 30 meters from the metropolitan border to the Seti River. The Kali River has a standard of 30 meters from Jogimini to the Seti River, the Fusre River from Ghattethola to the Seti River, and the Bijaypur River from Machhakhhet to the Seti River.

The Bhalame River, the lower Khalse of the Fusre River to Ghattethola, and the Suraundi River from the Tanahu border to the Seti River have a standard of 10 meters. A standard of 7 meters has been set for some sections of the Bagadi River, Begnas Tal River, Tal Khola, and lower-upper Fusre River. The Phirke River, which is currently in discussion, has a standard of 6 meters.  The metropolis has stated that a uniform standard has been set from G yarjati to Phewa Lake. The Gaduwa River, Khaste River, and Bulaundi River also have a standard of 6 meters.

The Pardi River has a standard of 12.5 meters from the Phewa dam through Debi's Falls to the Fusre River. All other streams and rivulets in Pokhara that are not mentioned have a standard of 6 meters. It is stated that the distance from the banks of the rivers and streams as marked on the survey map will be considered as the basis for measuring the standards of rivers and streams. If any river or stream becomes a deep ravine or gully due to erosion by rainwater, the ratio of depth and setback must be 1:1. The metropolis has stated that if a river or road exists in the field even if it is not marked as a river or road on the survey map, the corresponding standard will be applied.

At the same time, standards for lakes and roads in Pokhara have also been set. Phewa Lake has a standard of 65 meters, Begnas and Rupa Lakes have 100 meters, and other lakes have a standard of 50 meters. The remaining ponds have a standard of 6 meters. By making the standards public, the metropolis had mentioned that it could remove structures built in violation of the standards and recover the costs from the respective landowners. After these standards were made public, a 35-day public notice was issued for Phirke. However, the work was stopped after the citizens on the riverbanks approached the court. The metropolis has stated that after Phirke, a campaign will be started to study and clear other rivers and streams as well.