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After years of dedicated effort, the Fishery Research Station, under the Nepal Agriculture Research Council, in Pokhara has concluded that commercial pearl farming is feasible in Nepal.

The station had initiated the project in 2017 as part of its mission to diversify aquaculture in the country. The research concluded last week. 

Pearls, natural gems produced by mussels, have captivated humanity worldwide for centuries. They are cherished for their use in decorative and jewelry purposes, and also have medicinal properties for curing diseases. For the research, the station utilized mussels found in the lakes of the Pokhara Valley.

Nepal, blessed with abundant water resources and a variety of mussel species, holds great potential for commercial pearl farming, according to Senior Scientist Dr Md Akbal Husen, the chief of the station, who led the research. As freshwater pearl culture is a new frontier in aquaculture, the Fishery Research Station in Pokhara took up the study, Dr Huse added.

Over 18 species of freshwater mussels worldwide have been used for pearl farming. 

Dr Husen emphasized that pearl farming can open up numerous opportunities for local farmers.

The research has demonstrated that freshwater pearl farming is viable in Nepal, as mussels can be integrated into fish ponds, he added. Pearl farming can be conducted in various water bodies such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, spanning from the Tarai to the mid-hills regions of Nepal. “This makes it an excellent opportunity for rural areas as people can start pearl farming with low investment and get high outputs,” he added.

One of the remarkable aspects of pearl culture is its environmental friendliness, as mussels act as natural water filters, contributing to the cleanliness of water bodies. This, in turn, supports intensive fish culture. Dr Husen highlighted that the simplicity of the methods and the less labor-intensive work involved make pearl farming a suitable profession for women, thereby creating more employment opportunities for rural women.

For the research, the station collected mussels from drainage canals and various lakes in Pokhara and kept them in tanks at the research station. Mussels were fed through natural phytoplankton development in the ponds, with occasional use of artificial feed. Compost, urea, and DAP were also frequently used in the tank to maintain the phytoplankton level.

According to Dr Husen, water bodies with a high volume of natural plankton, specifically phytoplankton, are the best for producing pearls. Dr Husen pointed out that areas like Begnas, Rupa, and other small lakes in the Lekhnath area and their surroundings contain the necessary conditions for successful commercial pearl farming.

How is pearl farming done? 

First, freshwater mussels are collected from water bodies rich in phytoplankton. They undergo pre-operative conditioning for 2-3 days, kept in crowded conditions in plastic tanks with tap water at a stocking density of one mussel per liter. Then, the pearl nucleus, a bead made from powder made from mussel shells into molds, is inserted into the mantle cavity of the mussels after carefully opening the two valves without causing any injury to the mussels. After the implantation, the mussels are returned to the water. It takes approximately a year for the bead to transform into a pearl inside the mussel’s cavity.

Freshwater pearl culture is rapidly emerging as a significant activity in the aquaculture sector. India, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Vietnam, and various other countries have successfully developed freshwater pearl cultivation technologies. In many South-East Asian countries, freshwater pearl culture has become a significant source of employment and income.

The successful development of freshwater pearl farming by the Fishery Research Station in Pokhara represents a significant step towards boosting the economy and empowering local farmers in Nepal. The achievement opens up new possibilities for sustainable aquaculture in the region, benefitting both the environment and the community.

The Supreme Court has ordered the local governments of Kaski to remove all structures that have encroached upon the major lakes in the district. Over a dozen laws authorize local governments to protect and preserve the lakes in their respective areas. Since the construction of a check dam in Fewa Lake in 1999, various laws and policies relating to lake protection, environmental conservation, land reformation, irrigation, agriculture, biodiversity, climate change, and wetland conservation have been drafted. Additionally, all eight lakes in the Pokhara Valley have received Ramsar site status. However, encroachment around the lakes has continued unabated. Since the political change in 2006, the Supreme Court has issued over a dozen orders to the government to remove illegal structures built on lake areas. Similarly, the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 empowers local governments to preserve lakes and other natural resources in their respective areas. However, despite more than half a decade since the promulgation of the constitution, encroachments in Fewa Lake remain unabated. Disappointed by the indifference of the people’s representatives to the preservation of Fewa Lake, civil society in Pokhara has begun to join forces to voice their concerns against the encroachment of lakes in the Pokhara Valley. Recently, they have been putting pressure on the government almost daily. “We have approached the local government many times before, drawing their attention to the encroachment of lakes, but they seem unresponsive,” said Ram Bahadur Poudel, founder coordinator of Civil Society Kaski. “There are strong laws and policies to preserve the lake, but dozens of hotels and restaurants continue to spring up on the lake shores, encroaching upon the lake area.” The Pokhara Valley is home to several large and small lakes, including Khaste, Gudey, Neureni, Maidi, and Dipang, along with Fewa, Begnas, and Rupa, which are popular among visitors. Civil society and other stakeholders have launched numerous campaigns to save these lakes. They have published more than two dozen press releases, held meetings with mayors and ward chairs dozens of times, and run joint campaigns to clean up the lakes in collaboration with social organizations such as youth clubs, women’s groups, and cooperatives. “We will not give up our campaign until illegal structures built on the lake area are removed,” said Bishnu Hari Adhikari, a leader of Civil Society Kaski. Local residents say that encroachment on Fewa Lake has increased further after the metropolis introduced a new rule allowing people to use land near the lake shores for agricultural purposes. Under the guise of starting agricultural ventures, unscrupulous individuals have developed land plots on over 300 ropani of Fewa Lake’s land in just three months, according to Liladhar Poudel, chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Kaski, and coordinator of the Fewa Watershed Area Monitoring Committee. Under mounting pressure, Pokhara Mayor Dhana Raj Acharya has stated that the metropolis will not compromise on the preservation of Fewa Lake. “We are preparing strong guidelines to prevent encroachment on the lake,” he added. However, civil society leaders say they do not believe in mere lip service. “We have been hearing commitments like this for many years. What we want now is implementation,” said Shashi Tulachan, another leader of Civil Society Kaski. Both the constitution and the Local Government Operation Act, 2018 empower local governments to make policies regarding the protection of local resources. “However, the rules under the constitution and policies have overlapped in many ways, resulting in delays in implementing strong policies,” said Kalpana Devkota, CEO of the Gandaki Province Office of Lake Conservation and Development Authority.  

Just a week ago, the Chinese carrier Sichuan Airlines made history by conducting a chartered flight at Pokhara International Airport, marking the first international flight in Pokhara. The flight was not only about launching an international route but also about establishing a business connection between China and the city of Pokhara. As an initial step in furthering business connections between the two countries, the Nepal-China International Dragon Boat Race Festival was organized in Pokhara recently. The festival took place over two days on Fewa Lake. All the passengers on the first international flight to Pokhara were participants and officials attending the Chinese cultural show. The Dragon Festival, a Chinese historical and cultural event, is held annually for three days based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This year, the Nepal Tourism Board hosted the festival. According to the Chinese Embassy, the boat race festival has been organized in nearly 50 countries, and this was the first time it took place in South Asia. The event involves rowing dragon boats on water, employing specific boating techniques. Sixty players with eight dragon boats participated in the game, including teams from China and Singapore. The Nepali players, who had trained for a week, competed against the experienced international teams from China and Singapore. During the festival, various stalls were set up to showcase traditional Chinese cuisines. More than 3,000 visitors, including foreign tourists, gathered at Hallanchock on the shores of Fewa Lake to observe the boat race. According to local tourism entrepreneurs, around 500 tourists, with more than half of them from China, attended the event. “Almost all the hotels around the Lakeside were fully occupied during the festival,” said Pom Narayan Shrestha, the chairperson of the Pokhara Tourism Council. The Dragon Boat Race Festival was jointly organized by the Nepal Tourism Board, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, the Pokhara Metropolitan City, and several local organizations, including the Pokhara Tourism Council. Commenting on the event, Dharan Raj Acharya, the mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, said the Chinese Embassy was very positive about assisting the local government in strengthening mutual welfare through further tourism initiatives. In the closing ceremony of the festival, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song presented the dragon boats brought from China for the festival as a gift to the Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Song said that China was willing to organize more such events and strengthen the cultural, social, and economic bond between China and the tourist city of Pokhara. Robin Sharma of the Nepal Tourism Board said that the Chinese Embassy covered more than half of the total expenses for organizing the boat festival. Excluding the cost of the chartered flight, boats, shipping charges, and accommodations for the nearly 300 Chinese guests, the estimated cost of the event was Rs 7m. “The actual expenditure will be three times higher if all the expenses borne by the Chinese Embassy are also included in the organizing cost,” he added. The Pokhara International Airport, built with China’s loan assistance, has been operational for a year but has not yet received any international flights. “The interest shown by the Chinese government to promote Pokhara will encourage international airlines to operate flights to Pokhara,” Ganesh Timilsina, the chairperson of the National Assembly, said. Timilsina said he held discussions with Chinese stakeholders on establishing direct flights between Pokhara and different Chinese cities. Bikram Gautam, the chief of the Pokhara International Airport, expressed optimism that the chartered flight and the important international cultural show in Pokhara have paved the way for stronger market ties with China. Informal discussions with Chinese stakeholders about starting flights to Pokhara are ongoing, he added.

Ratna Mandir, the palace on the shores of Fewa Lake in Pokhara dedicated to the former Queen of Nepal, Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, opened to the public on May 29. The government had not opened the palace, which was built in the 1960s, to the public even after the end of the royal rule. The palace, located on the shores of Fewa Lake, served as a retreat for the former royal family during their visits to Pokhara. According to local residents and historical records, the royal family would visit Pokhara twice a year, staying for up to a month each time. In response to the local interest in preserving Ratna Mandir as a heritage site for tourism promotion in Pokhara, the Nepal Trust, a government agency, opened the palace complex to the public, coinciding with Republic Day. The ownership of the palace complex was transferred to the Nepal Trust after the end of the royal rule in the country. According to stakeholders and local tourism professionals, the opening of Ratna Palace has led to an increase in the number of tourists visiting Pokhara. Hotel owners in the Lakeside area have reported a growth in their businesses, as they have noticed an influx of domestic tourists. “While Ratna Palace may not be a primary tourist destination, visitors do not want to miss the opportunity to observe it,” said Hari Bhujel, a hotel owner in the Ratna Mandir area. Mekh Bahadur Thapa, a 51-year-old resident of Pokhara-15, Rambazaar, took a day off from work to accompany his relatives from another district to visit Ratna Mandir in Lakeside. “As my guests expressed a keen interest in visiting the Queen’s palace, I took leave from the office for the day,” Thapa said. Thapa and his family and relatives visited the palace premises last week. “I was curious about the reasons behind closing the doors of this palace to the general public,” Thapa shared. Similarly, 54-year-old Suka Maya BK of Bhumahi in Nawalparasi decided to postpone her return home by a day. Upon learning that Ratna Mandir was open to the public, she became extremely curious and asked her relatives in Pokhara to take her to the Queen’s palace. “I was eager to see how the royal family lived during that time,” she added. According to Gita Mijar, Chief of the Nepal Trust Pokhara Office, nearly 4,000 people have visited Ratna Mandir within just two weeks of its opening. “The majority of these visitors are domestic tourists, who appear to be driven by their curiosity to observe the living standards of the royal family,” she added. Foreign tourist numbers low According to the Nepal Trust Pokhara Office, the number of foreign visitors to Ratna Palace has been relatively low. Since the opening day, only 10 foreigners have visited the palace so far. “Although foreigners come and inquire about tickets, they don't purchase them,” Laxmi Bhatta, a ticket counter attendant at Ratna Mandir, said. The Nepal Trust collects Rs 100 from Nepalis and Rs 1,000 from foreigners as an entry fee

“I feel that my struggling days are behind me now,” Durga BK , a farmer from Deurali village of Rupa Rural Municipality-5, Kaski, told a village gathering recently. Not long ago, BK got into livestock farming and she seems quite hopeful for it to come. She has almost two dozen goats now. Her days pass tending these goats. BK is hopeful that she can easily earn Rs 500,000 by selling the goats. “There was a time when I used to wander around looking for a job. But nobody would employ me because I lacked skills,” says BK. “But now I feel that I can do something on my own.” Chitra Kumari Gurung, another villager, shared a similar story. Her husband’s income was not enough to raise the family including their children and elderly in-laws. She says her life transformed after local women got her into collective farming. These days she keeps herself busy taking care of her livestock. “The days of adversities ended for me after I got into livestock farming,” she told the meeting. BK and Gurung are among the cohort of women who have turned their lives around after getting into livestock farming through government grants and support. Until a few years ago, most of these women were jobless. Their daily lives revolved around household chores like cooking and raising children. “I almost went into depression because I had no income of my own and I had gotten into the habit of  overthinking everything,” said Goma Gurung. “The farming project has saved my life and many other women in this village.” Kho Maya Gurung, chairperson of Annapurna Livestock Agricultural Group, said they had to hire a professional to write a proposal for a grant. “We had no idea about proposal writing, so we hired a professional to help us with the proposal that we sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock,” she said. “The group members collaborate with one another and everything we have achieved so far is a result of teamwork.” There are several such farmers’ groups in Gandaki province, which have achieved success in livestock agriculture after participating in the grant program of Nepal Livestock Sector Innovation Project, supported by the World Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. The project has been distributing grants for individual and group farmers. “This program has helped those farmers who wanted to do something innovative, but had been stopped due to the lack of funds,” said Sushil Khadka, agriculture expert of the project. Arjun Prasad Banjara, chairperson of Chakra Devi Agriculture Group from Pokhara-31, said they were thankful to the project for supporting them with funds and for boosting their confidence. Through collaboration with Aama Milan Cooperatives, the group is running a collective cow farm. Together, they raise almost 50 cows and make their earnings by selling milk and other dairy products. “I decided to continue to domesticate cows at my home after coming into contact with this farming group,” Shovakhar Subedi , a farmer from Begnas Taal area, said. “The group has helped me find a market and earn money.” Farmers associated with these groups said the project has opened many opportunities for them. Apshara Shrestha, secretary of Annapurna Livestock Agriculture Group, said these days their local governments ask the group to take responsibility for agriculture-related tasks. Dhan Bahadur Baruwal of Annapurna Rural Municipality of Myagdi said his livestock business was largely unproductive for almost a decade until his son Narayan, who had just returned home from foreign employment, suggested he ask governmental and non-governmental bodies for grants. “We were finally linked to the Nepal Livestock Sector Innovation Project of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, which supported us to run a goat farm,” he said. Today, the father-son duo have 120 goats. Around 500 livestock farms in different parts of the country are being run with grants from Nepal Livestock Sector Innovation Project. In Gandaki province alone, there are 55 group and 60 individual farmers who are being supported by the project.

These days, tourists can be seen holidaying around Pokhara's popular tourist attractions, such as lakes, caves, wetlands, and the popular Annapurna region in increasing numbers. Their presence here has brought new hope for Pokhara's tourism industry, which has been struggling after the COVID pandemic. The latest data from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, which maintains data on trekkers heading to the Annapurna region, show tourist numbers getting closer to the pre-COVID era. This is a promising sign for the tourism industry in Pokhara and suggests that the negative effects of the pandemic are on the wane. According to industry insiders, about 80 percent of tourists who visit Pokhara want to explore the region for purposes like trekking and study. The Annapurna Round Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Muktinath-Mustang loop as well as the Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp and Khumai Dada are some of the popular trails and destinations around Pokhara. "Since most of the tourist areas in and around Pokhara fall under the jurisdiction of the ACAP, our data offer a clear picture of Pokhara’s tourism industry,” Narendra Shrestha of ACAP Office in Pokhara said. According to Shrestha, ACAP has been working in coordination with local government bodies for promotion of tourism in the Annapurna region. Autumn and Spring are the main seasons for trekking activities in the region. The autumn begins in September and continues till December or January, whereas the spring begins in March and continues till May. ACAP data show that Pokhara welcomed 129,000 trekkers in 2022, a drastic decline compared to the year 2019 when the city recorded 181,000 trekkers, before the pandemic threw the global tourism industry out of gear. The numbers dropped even further to 18,796 in 2020 and 16,105 in 2021, respectively before bouncing back in 2023. In the first three months of 2023, approximately 33,000 foreign tourists visited different destinations within the region. Data show that around 23,692 visited the region in March alone, indicating that the spring may see a significant surge in the number of foreign tourists.   Tourist arrivals in March (past three years) 2022 - 12,000 2021 - 2,134 2020 - 6,735 Tourist arrivals in first three months of 2023 March - 23,693 February - 6,353 January - 3,457 Arrivals (First three months) of 2019 and 2023

Chandra Bahadur Gurung, a 68-year-old resident of Phedikhola in Syangja, served in the Gurkha Regiment of the British Army and has vivid memories of his time deployed in different countries. He reflects on the many Nepali youths who were deployed overseas and performed exceptionally well. However, despite their bravery, Gurung explains that the British government always received recognition for their accomplishments, while the soldiers themselves were not identified as individual warriors. This left a bitter feeling, which Gurung experienced for the first time while deployed in a war in Afghanistan where eleven Gorkha soldiers lost their lives. In honor of their performance, the regiment erected a memorial with inscriptions of the name of the departed soldiers. Many ex-Gorkha soldiers in the area share similar feelings. They say that the most bitter feeling for them is that nobody recognizes their Nepali origin. They realized the importance of nationality while fighting in political wars. But they say it hurts them when no one talks about their nationality despite showing bravery and winning wars. They recall many incidents of their treatment as subjects sold by one nation to another. These feelings are not unique to just one individual, but rather a shared sentiment among many ex-Gorkha soldiers in the area. According to Gorkha Army Ex-Serviceman Organization (GAESO), over 150,000 Nepalis, who were given the name 'Gorkhas', have died in wars across the world since the Sugauli Treaty. Of these, approximately 43,000 Gorkhas lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. In order to formally honor their valor, retired soldiers have come together to establish a memorial at Salme Dada in Phedikhola Rural Municipality in Syangja. Ex-Gorkha soldiers also recall that their salaries were not equal to that of British soldiers, despite having the same tasks and responsibilities. Moreover, they were not allowed to call their families in Nepal while they were serving in different countries. Their facilities were comparable to those provided to Indian nationals during the colonial era for many decades. This disparity in treatment left many ex-Gorkha soldiers feeling undervalued and underappreciated, despite their unwavering commitment to serving the British flag. The problem of self-respect and discrimination regarding remuneration was finally addressed in 2008. The ex-servicemen in the Gorkha Regiment formed an organization named GAESO to fight for the issues of identity and equality. After almost one and a half decades of raising their voices for equality, their demands were finally addressed by the British government. However, they are worried that the Nepali government has never shown concern for them. They feel that Nepal has ignored ex-servicemen ever since the British started recruiting Nepal nationals for the British East India Company soon after the Sugauli Treaty in 1815. Many of the retired soldiers recall their days in the British Army. They say many soldiers who died in battle could not receive proper funeral from their family members because they did not receive information about their relatives’ death. This was due to the lack of proper diplomatic correspondence between the two countries. Also, the name of all individual Gorkhas would be changed in the regiment, which was another major reason why the correct information could not reach their homes. Dr Chandra Bahadur Gurung, founding general secretary of GAESO, said rituals will be organized at the memorial in Salme Dada to give due respect to all those souls who did not receive proper funerals. The memorial is being built to honor the departed souls of the Gorkha Army who sacrificed their lives for the British regiment in various wars. The monument will have the names of all the departed soldiers inscribed on its walls. The construction of the monument started in 2012 with the help of Nepal government with the purchase of 53 ropani land from the locals. During the foundation-laying ceremony, 21 maidens were worshiped with rituals from different traditions and cultures to pacify the departed souls. "This same ritual will be repeated every year in the name of the departed soldiers," Dr Gurung said. "We always pay tribute to Gorkha soldiers, who introduced the bravery of Nepali people to the world through their courageous performance," explained Puran Dhoj Gurung, one of the initiators of the memorial. According to Padam Bahadur Gurung, former chairperson of GAESO and founder chairperson of the Salme Dande Gorkha Memorial Construction Committee, the purpose of creating the memorial is to honor the departed souls of Gorkha soldiers and recognize their bravery by organizing different rituals in order to pacify their souls. The initiators of the project said they require approximately Rs 1.5bn to complete all the work at Salme Dada. To achieve this goal, they have already raised Rs 200m from the families of existing and ex-servicemen of the Gorkha regiment. They are also planning to seek financial aid from different countries, including the British Army if the government of Nepal continues to overlook their interests and efforts. "We are in constant contact with the local government for the allocation of resources," added Dr Gurung.

After a devastating plane crash near the Pokhara Airport in January, various assumptions were made about its cause raising serious safety concerns. In response, Pokhara International Airport Civil Aviation Office (PIA CAO) has taken various emergency measures to dispel those concerns and regain public confidence. Although the number of arrivals is still below the levels seen before the crash, officials at PIA CAO report that the numbers are gradually increasing. Their main focus at this time is to reassure people of their safety and security, as the crash was not caused by any safety issues at the airport. Bikram Gautam, the Chief of PIA CAO, emphasized that safety is the topmost priority for the airport administration, and they are taking all necessary measures to ensure it. He further stated that the airport is actively working to address any misconceptions about safety measures and to reassure the public of their safety while using the airport. The official investigation into the cause of the Yeti Air crash near the newly built international airport is still ongoing. While there is no denying that the incident has caused people to lose confidence in air travel, efforts are being made to restore public trust and increase the number of passengers. According to eyewitnesses, they did not hear any sound from the plane before the sudden blast, even though it was approaching very close to their homes. "Maybe the plane had an engine problem, otherwise we would have heard the sound when it approached our dwellings," Ramesh Khatri, a local resident of Hariyokharka in Pokhara-15, said. Ganesh Poudel, a local resident of Chauthe in Pokhara-14, speculated that the plane may have collided with birds crossing the runway, as he frequently sees birds approaching the airport. Some locals share this concern, while others believe that the airport's design is not suitable for the climatic conditions of the Pokhara valley. Before transitioning to the newly constructed international airport at Chauthe in Pokhara-14, the Pokhara Airport used to handle more than 2,500 passengers every day, which would double during the tourist season. However, this year the maximum number of passengers per day is limited to around 1500, even though the tourist season has already begun. “But this number cannot be considered low. Even in the initial stage of operation, the airport has succeeded in accommodating this number of passengers," said Yashoda Regmi, the spokesperson for the PIA CAO. On the other hand, tourism stakeholders say that they have experienced a loss of passengers in the two months following the crash. Hari Ram Adhikari, president of the Nepal Association of Tours and Travel Agents (NATTA) Gandaki Chapter, said almost 80 percent of clients had canceled their flights in the initial days after the crash. “Most of those who canceled their air tickets were Nepali people, while the impact on foreigners was minimal,” he said. "Foreigners did not seem fearful after the crash; they accepted it as an incident." According to Adhikari, the number of travelers choosing air travel is gradually increasing, not only because they are forgetting the accident day by day but also due to additional facilities and safety measures put in place by the airport administration. Pokhara International Airport is taking significant measures to restore people's confidence and make the approach slope free of birds. It recently installed a bird inspection device around the runway and also recruited a bird hunter. It has also installed a siren system that alerts officials if birds are on the runway. Likewise, the airport administration is collaborating with local bodies and stakeholders to clean up the rivers, lakes, and ponds in the Pokhara area. It has already sent request letters to all local government agencies in this regard. The airport management has been meeting frequently with local stakeholders to discuss ways to improve the Pokhara International Airport. "We are committed to conveying the reality to people first. Therefore, we are taking some additional measures that were not in our annual plan," Gautam said. According to airport officials, there are still many tasks to be completed before the airport can operate at full capacity. "Preparations are ongoing to make agreements with international airlines. Some airlines will be operating soon," Jagannath Niroula, the spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority Nepal (CAAN), said. Recently, the airport successfully completed a 60-day procedure for testing international standard mechanisms and has been enlisted in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). It has recently started Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and also begun night landing and take off. The airport officials claim that PIA is the first airport in the country to have a Distance Measuring Equipment and Instrument Landing System.