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Many ponds having cultural and ecological significance have dried up, and many more are on the verge of extinction due to human encroachment in Pokhara.

“Cattle and birds would drink from these ponds. Buffalo would cool off in the mud. At night, jackals and other wildlife would drink from the ponds,” Gangadhar Timilsina (81) of Pokhara-7 recalled. “Times have changed. Such sights have become a thing of the past in Pokhara’s urban areas.”

There used to be a pond and a tap near the resting place at Nareshwar in Malepatan of Pokhara-5. The resting place and tap is still there, but the pond has disappeared. The pond completely dried up in 2009, according to Dhan Bahadur Nepali, former chairperson of Pokahra Ward-5 Office. “Now people have stopped rearing cows and buffalo, and the ponds that our ancestors built have fallen into disuse,” he said.

The area in Pokhara-7, which now houses the regional office of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), used to be called Pokhari Patan (literally pasture land with a lake). The large pond has disappeared, and a new artificial pond has been built in the area. It has a cemented wall and three layers of iron bars, making it inaccessible even to humans, let alone animals, with its gate always padlocked.

Most ponds in Pokhara’s urban areas, which used to be rich in aquatic life, have disappeared. Some ponds with religious and cultural significance exist in name only. Some have shrunk and now have cemented walls to prevent encroachment. Locals say most of the public resting places, taps and ponds in Pokhara have vanished due to rapid construction activities in recent years. Conservation workers estimate that more than 100 ponds have disappeared from urban areas of Pokhara.

In rural areas, though, a number of ponds are still in good shape, especially those used for irrigation. Farmers rely on these ponds and springs to plant rice. For irrigating fields and watering animals, ancestors used to build multipurpose ponds near homes and villages. Sadly, many of these ponds have now disappeared due to encroachment, lack of conservation or regular use.

While ponds in other areas of Pokhara have seen massive encroachments, the one in Kaskikot in Pokhara-24 has ponds dating back to the era of Shah kings, according to Thakur Prasad Tripathi of the area. The large pond (Thuli Pokhari) in Kaskikot, also known as Kashyap Tal, covers an area of 30 ropani (about 1.5 hectares). Thakur Prasad Tripathi, a social worker, says the lake dates back to the Sen dynasty.

Farmers in Kaskikot have been using water from four ponds, including Thuli Pokhari, Maula Pokhari, Khadgam Pokhari and Sani Pokhari for irrigation. Water from these ponds is used to irrigate about 2,000 ropanis (100 hectares) of paddy fields, according to Indra Bahadur GC, a farmer.

Local people, however, say all ponds located in Kaskikot are gradually drying up. “Khadgam Pokhari started drying up after a large tree inside the pond rotted and fell,” Madhav Lal Sharma of the area said.

Indra Bahadur GC, secretary of Pokhara Ward-24 Office, said that Thuli Pokhari, the largest irrigation source in Kaskikot, is also undergoing repairs as it started drying up. Locals say expansion of the road above Thuli Pokhari caused the pond to dry up. “Construction of cemented walls around the pond for beautification and the use of earthmovers also damaged water sources,” locals added. 

Pokhara Metropolitan City allocated Rs 2.5m for the conservation of Thuli Pokhari in the fiscal 2022-23 while it has set aside Rs 1.5m for 2023-24. 

Cultural significance

Ponds have cultural significance. Our ancestors, being environmentally conscious, would plant banyan, pipal and sami trees and nurture them. They would then build resting places around these trees using stones and soil. There was a tradition of building public taps and digging ponds near these resting places. Both Hindu and Buddhist followers would connect these environmental and ecological works with religion. 

Former principal of Barahi Secondary School, Gangadhar Timilsina, said our ancestors used to do these environmentally important works for earning merit. “Back then, people had a religious mindset. There was a belief that after building a resting place and planting banyan and pipal trees, a pond should be built,” Timilsina explained. “There would be a tap near the resting place.”

Some villages in Kaski have been completely abandoned after people migrated elsewhere. With villages deserted, no one is left behind to maintain structures like ponds. In urban areas, increased population density due to in-migration has led to encroachment on ponds and resting places. Not only ponds, even Phewa Lake is facing encroachment and siltation problems. No different is the condition of other lakes. 

Metro lacks data on ponds

Pokhara metropolis lacks data on the number of ponds in existence and the number of ponds that have vanished. It doesn’t ‘seem to have maintained any data’ on the number of ponds within its jurisdiction, according to Nirmal Man Singh Bhandari, head of the Environment Department of Pokhara Metropolitan City.

A study conducted by an NGO named Sudhrid Nepal indicates that 129 ponds still exist in Pokhara Metropolitan City. Out of these 129 ponds, a sample survey of 21 ponds found that only four ponds have water throughout the year. Januka Thapa, a member of the study team, said Khude Pokhari in Pokhara-5, Machha Pokhari in Pokhara-13, Bhagwati Pokhari in Pokhara-14, and Thuli Pokhari in Pokhara-16 have water round the year.

Ecological importance

Lakes, ponds and wells are ecologically important resources. Dipendra Joshi, an expert on disaster and climate adaptation, said that ponds play a crucial role in balancing the ecosystem as they support amphibians and aquatic life. “Ponds are equally important for birds, wildlife and plants. The use of pond water for irrigation also increases food productivity,” Dr Joshi said. “As habitats for birds, amphibians and aquatic life, ponds contribute to the food chain. They play a significant role in the livelihood of the local people.”

Astha Giri of Machhapuchchhre Tole, Pokhara Metropolitan City-7 was happy to buy fresh vegetables near her house on Monday evening.

Many homemakers like her were crowding to buy vegetables there. Consumers are happy after the Pokhara Metropolitan City opened a farmer's mart at Ward 7 Ratnachowk from Monday for the sale of vegetables brought by agri-ambulances from different villages.

Holding a bag full of vegetables such as seasonal green vegetables, tomatoes, and bitter gourd in her hand, Astha said, "We used to go to Prithvi Chowk to buy vegetables. We are happy now that we get fresh vegetables so close to our home. To promote the consumption of local products, the metropolis has launched farmer's markets at various locations in Pokhara, it is said.

The metropolis has launched an agriculture ambulance to bring the agricultural products produced in the village to the market to directly connect consumers with farmers so that the middle man cannot impose high costs to the consumers. The agricultural ambulance has helped in the sale and distribution of vegetables produced in the rural settlements of the metropolis free of cost. Since last year, the metropolis has launched an agricultural ambulance.

Manhar Kadaria, Head of Metropolitan Agriculture and Economic Development Division, said that 'agriculture ambulances' connect producers and consumers easily and effectively.

According to him, such markets are conducted once a week in seven places of Pokhara, but due to increasing demand, markets are conducted twice a week in some wards of the metropolis.

Kadaria further said that collection centers have been established at 21 places in the metropolis for the collection of agricultural products produced by small farmers in rural areas and ambulances reach those places and bring the agricultural products to the market.

The Lekhnath area of the Pokhara Metropolitan City is famed as a city of seven lakes, and all seven lakes there are enlisted in Ramsar sites. Not just of the lakes it has, the small valley that lies to the northeast of the Prithvi Highway in Kaski district is equally popular for the fish recipes.

The businesspersons argue that touristic activities have increased there due to the fish recipes that tempt the visitors. A large number of hotels and eateries on the banks of Begnas Lake, Majhikuna, Piple, and Damside offer a variety of fish recipes to a large number of visitors every day.

Most of the visitors throng the city of seven lakes to enjoy the fish dishes. The local people residing around Begnas, Rupa, and other lakes are engaged in commercial fish farming. Most of the households in the small village of Piple near Begnas Lake have fully relied on fishing in the lake.

Likewise, the number of fisheries has increased in Dipang, Khaste, Neureni, and Maidi lakes too.

According to Tek Bahadur Jalari, the owner of The Fisherman Restaurant, the area is popularly known as a common destination for fish lovers. It is said that each household makes from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 in a month from fishing.

Jalari said that grilled fish is one of the most famous food items, and the recipe includes marinating fish with a blend of local spices, grilling, and serving with a side of aromatic and fresh vegetables.

According to Jalari, publicity on social networking sites including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms has further promoted the publicity of fish recipes from Majhikuna, Piple, and other vicinities.

The Rupa Lake Reinstatement and Fishery Cooperative Limited is also proactively working for the conservation and utilization of fish in the Rupa Lake, Chairman Shivaraj Adhikari said. “This has increased economic and touristic activities,” he said, adding that more than 1,030 members are engaged in the cooperative organization now and that it has offered direct jobs to 24 individuals. The cooperative has produced fish worth Rs 20m in a year, Adhikari shared.

A person died and 26 others were injured in a school bus accident in Pokhara on Monday.

The deceased has been identified as Arati BK (33), helper of the Birauta-based LP Devkota Memorial English Boarding School.

The bus (Ga 1 Kha 6219) heading towards Pokhara from Ramdi met with an accident at Gudku in Pokhara Metropolitan City-21 at 8:55 am today.

The bus fell some 50 meters down the road.

Kaski police said that the injured students are undergoing treatment in various hospitals of Pokhara.

Nine persons including seven of a single family died in different incidents of landslides that occurred in Kaski district on Thursday.

Two others are missing in the landslides.

Seven members of Kul Bahadur Pariyar's family died on the spot at Tallakot in Puranchaur of Pokhara Metropolitan City-19, spokesperson of Kaski Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Basanta Kumar Sharma said.

The deceased have been identified as Kul Bahadur Pariyar (47), his mother Laxima (85), his wife Mana Kumari (43), three daughters Radhika, Prashana, and Prava and son-in-law Asmit Pariyar lost their lives in the tragic accident.

It has been learnt that the landslide occurred at 10:30 last night when all of them were at a family gathering.

Likewise, 18-year-old Anita Ojha and nine-year-old Pratik Subedi died after a landslide occurred at Chainpur in Pokhara Metropolitan City-19.

Police said that Anuska Ojha (11) is missing in the landslide. 

Likewise, 80-year-old Maiti Kumari Gurung is also missing in a landslide that occurred in Madi Rural Municipality-11 in Kaski district last night.

A person died after a landslide buried a house in Pokhara Metropolitan City-27 on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as Bhim Bahadur Thapa (22) of Sahelapata. However, 50-year-old Kamala Thapa was rescued alive in the disaster.

After knowing about the landslide burying a house, a police team from the Area Police Office, Sishuwa and locals carried out rescue works, according to DSP Basant Kumar Sharma.

Even a team of the Armed Police Force joined the rescue operations, Sharma added.

It has been raining in the Pokhara Valley since Tuesday evening.

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.

Traditional paddy species such as Pokhareli Jetho Budo, Pahele, and Zhinua, which grow on the banks of various lakes in Pokhara, are disappearing. As a proud Pokhreli, this is sad news. Our beloved Jetho Budo rice and the Pokhreli Masina, also known as Pahele due to its yellowish hue, are heirloom rice varieties that are a heritage of Pokhara and surrounding areas of western Nepal. Heirloom varieties like Pokhreli Masina are living artifacts, passed down through generations. They aren’t just plants but reservoirs of genetic diversity, preserving the agricultural history of their regions.

According to news reports, varieties such as Rato Anadi, Ekle, Byrni, Black Jhinua, Samudra Finja, Navho, Anga, Bale, Krishnabhog, Jirasari, Phalangkote Paddy, Kathe Gurdi, Tauli, Phalo, Pahle, Lahe Gurdi, Ghaiya, Kalo Jhinuva, Mala, Vimmerfool, Bhatte, Andhere, Kande, Kalo Byrni, and Kalo Anadi have already vanished from Pokhara. Fifty varieties of local rice used to be grown in Kaski. Kathmandu, 30 years ago, was full of paddy fields, but it has now been converted into a concrete jungle. Pokhara is moving in the same direction.

Rice, one of the world’s oldest and most essential crops, has a history as rich as its nutritional value. While it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly when humans first realized the rice plant was a food source, many historians believe that rice was cultivated as far back as 5000 years BC. Archaeologists excavating in India discovered rice grains dating to 4530 BC, marking some of the earliest known instances of rice cultivation.

When my family moved to Malekhu, we discovered another aromatic rice variety called Manobhog. This rice was similar to Pahele, with a fragrant aroma that would fill the entire street during cooking, especially in the mornings as everyone prepared lunch. Later, I learned about Marsi Rice from Rolpa and the prestigious Samundra Phini Rice from Nuwakot, once reserved for the aristocracy and royals of Nepal. This rice was a traditional gift for Rana maharajas, symbolizing its high value.

Cooking rice is a simple process that typically involves one kg of rice and two liters of water. In Nepal, we enjoy rice in various forms such as steamed rice, pulao, kheer, chamre, puwa, bhuja, chiura, latte, chiura dhakani, selroti, and chatamari. Idli, a rice pancake, is also gaining popularity as a healthy breakfast option.

Rice has played a significant role in my professional life as well. During the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, under my leadership, we cooked around 22,000 kg of rice in 24 hours. Another memorable event was cooking 1,600 kg of raw rice (equivalent to 4,800 kg of cooked rice) for a Formula One event in Las Vegas in 2023. On average, a portion of rice is about 120 grams per person. Based in London, my team and I cook about 800 kg of rice daily for high-end airlines at Heathrow, serving approximately 24,000 portions each day.

Rice’s journey from wild seed to global staple spans thousands of years and numerous continents. It likely began in the Yangtze River basin of China between 13,500 and 8,200 years ago, later spreading throughout Southeast Asia and beyond. Today, rice is the most consumed cereal grain globally, with Asia leading the way. China and India are the top consumers, with rice forming the basis of most meals in these regions.

The diversity of rice is immense, with varieties suited to different tastes and culinary applications. Indica rice, known for its slender grains, is popular in Asia and Africa, while Japonica rice, with its short, sticky grains, is favored for sushi and other dishes in East Asia. Brown rice, with its bran intact, offers additional fiber, vitamins, and minerals compared to white rice, which, when consumed in excess, can contribute to health issues like diabetes.

Rice’s importance extends beyond nutrition. It’s woven into the cultural fabric of many societies, featuring prominently in religious ceremonies and traditional dishes. The cultivation of rice has shaped landscapes and driven agricultural innovations such as advanced irrigation techniques.

Modern research on rice focuses on developing disease-resistant varieties, improving yields, and reducing the environmental impact of rice cultivation. The exploration of alternative starches and future food security scenarios is crucial in a world facing population growth and climate change.

In Nepal, rice was traditionally reserved for special occasions until 1980. Before then, staples like corn, maize, millet, and wheat were more commonly consumed. The introduction of varieties like Chaite Dhan or Ghaiya has diversified the agricultural landscape.

Returning to Pokhara, paddy cultivation has started to decrease due to increasing plotting in areas like Biruwa Phant, Kundahar, and Lekhnath's Sishuwa and Patneri, where sufficient paddy used to be produced. According to a recent news report, Pokhara Metropolitan Municipality’s Agriculture Division has distributed nine thousand kilos of Pokhreli Jetho Budo, Pahele, Ramdhan, Khumal 10, Kalo Jhinuva, Ekle, Rato Anadi, and Byrni rice seeds this year with the aim of protecting and promoting local varieties. But if we don’t save the paddy fields, where are we going to plant these seeds?

Baral is a UK based R&D chef

Perched on the edge of Phewa Lake, boasting greenery and picturesque surroundings, is the spacious Basundhara Park, a refuge for the people of Pokhara, especially those close to Lakeside. The park can be seen just below the road as one walks along his way to Barahi Ghat, where Taal Barahi is located. Right after walking past the slope of Baidam, one can feel that he has completely entered new territory. In a way, Lakeside epitomizes the city’s elegance. To say Lakeside has made Pokhara a grand place would be an understatement. Phewa Lake is an instrumental addition to Pokhara, making the city stand out among others. And in the heart of this cosmopolitan Lakeside is a lush park bearing the name ‘Basundhara Park’ that sees hundreds of visitors daily. 

Rammaya Gurung, 37, carries a basket on her back and walks toward Basundhara Park to settle on the edge of the park with the aim of selling chatpate, her modest business opening only after sunset every day. “It is only after 5 that people start to stream in,” says Gurung, opening a packet of noodles to mix up. A 7-year-old Binita clings to her mother’s kurta as the mother asks her customer about their spice preferences. A shy girl only smiles, refusing to answer the questions posed by customers. “My husband is working in the Gulf, and it is how I supplement his income,” says Gurung with a smile. 

A few meters away from Gurung’s junction is a Madhesi woman involved in the same business. However, her story is different. She looks down as she recalls how she lost her husband to the coronavirus pandemic. After the untimely demise of her husband, she couldn’t tolerate the harassment of her in-laws, so she took her belongings from her home district Saptari and followed her sister’s family to Pokhara, who has been running a juice shop in Malepatan for over seven years. Talking about the venue where she sets up her business day after day, she says, “At first, I was puzzled about where I should set up my chatpate stall, but once my sister showed me around this park, I decided this would be the perfect venue with the flow of so many visitors.” However, business, be it big or small, the woman says, is all about perseverance and patience. For women like her, the park has opened up the opportunity to earn and stand on their own feet.

One doesn’t need to pay rent while setting up such a business in the free spaces, so the lesser expenses mean that they can save up a good amount of money with low investment. Items they sell on streets and in parks, however, deteriorate one’s health if consumed regularly. Though the public is well aware that the consumption of chatpate is not good for health, the charm of such stalls in Basundhara Park is apparent. The best thing about these small business owners is that they have kept dustbins around the stalls to avoid people from throwing away papers and plastics. As a result, the sidewalks of Basundhara Park are spotless. 

Recently, a circular trail has been built inside the park, and this development has spurred mixed opinions among the general public. Jivan Pokhrel, a regular visitor to the park, says that the concrete trail has tarnished the greenery, making the park look dull and less natural. The trail is always occupied with joggers of all ages. The benefit of having a concrete trail is that joggers don’t have to suffer from muddy patches during the monsoon season. 

The park has changed a lot from what it used to be. Not many years ago, the park was plain, but now there are uneven surfaces all across the park, mostly in the southeast direction. Once, a dozer had intervened for construction work, and it affected the aesthetic beauty of the park. Since then, the southeast area of the park has been deserted, with the majority of people occupying the remaining spaces for picnics and gatherings. Schoolkids, families, and other informal groups often come to the park with home-cooked and packaged foods. While the sidewalks of the park are neat, the core area in the middle is always littered with wrappers, plastic plates, and bottles. “People have become educated, but they still can’t manage the waste they have produced. Basundhara Park is a pride of Lakeside, so waste management must be top-notch in order to preserve its beauty,” says Sanju Shrestha, who owns a beauty parlor near Basundhara Park. 

For Subash Poudel, Basundhara Park is more than a place to chill out, as he has been clicking photographs of his clients for some years in the park. Especially newlyweds promptly agree to a photoshoot at this venue, says Poudel. The landscape offered by the park has inspired photographers to come and capture photos against the breathtaking backdrop of Phewa Lake. 

Like Poudel, many people from different professions have chosen Basundhara Park as an unofficial workplace. The park authorities have shown flexibility by allowing people to utilize the space as they like. It is understandable that public parks are made accessible for the general public, but freedom must not come at the cost of the park’s sanitation. 

The present condition of the toilet in Basundhara Park speaks volumes about the authorities’ insouciance. Although the toilet looks large from the outside, it is not in a usable state. It’s high time that the authorities started focusing on the park’s sanitation by either revamping the old toilet or building a new one. 

Lately, a large number of youth groups have made Basundhara Park their playground, which must be urgently discouraged, and the authorities must impose restrictions on intense sports activities, allowing only light activities such as jogging and stretching. As the park is often crammed with people doing different activities for refreshment, there is a high chance that sports activities might injure people involved in their own recreations. The metropolitan area, along with the local government, must build an alternative ground around Lakeside to prevent people from playing at Basundhara Park. It should be clearly circulated that the park is only built for refreshment, and people from Pokhara should be mindful of the fact that Basundhara Park is associated with the tourism of Lakeside. The onus is on Pokhara residents to take care of Basundhara Park, which is one of the key attractions for the tourists coming to visit Pokhara.

Pokhara, as the second-largest city in the country, bears the responsibility of uplifting the country by contributing to the overall development of the nation. Comparatively, after Kathmandu, Pokhara has the best infrastructure for development. However, on the education front, Pokhara still struggles to lay a strong foundation, as many students from Pokhara are forced to leave for the capital to pursue higher studies. Ironically, students in Pokhara don’t show faith in the largest college in the city, named Prithvi Narayan Shah Campus. The campus offers diverse programs, drawing students mostly from neighboring districts. Founded in 1960, PN Campus has been a steadfast contributor to developing Nepal, as alumni of this grand institution are scattered throughout the country in different job positions. Affiliated with Tribhuvan University, PN Campus is the first choice for students from hilly areas such as Baglung, Syangja, Parbat, and likewise. To put it sharply, what makes them choose PN Campus is not its quality but its cheaper tuition fees. The results of the majority of faculties at PN Campus have been unarguably dismal, while only a few faculties produce good human resources capable of serving the job market.

The excellence of an academic institution is mostly measured by its academic results and enrollment rate. If we delve into the reasons for the low performances of students, the negligence of campus administration coupled with the political involvement of stakeholders come into the spotlight. PN Campus is one of the many colleges in the country grappled by politics. Just outside the main entrance gate of PN Campus, groupism between students of different political parties could be spotted. The political culture in educational institutes and its significance call for a huge debate; in recent times, experts have argued that healthy political practices in campuses do good to national politics while serving the students simultaneously. However, PN Campus is plagued by a harrowing political culture, as news of feuds and clashes surface every so often.

Let’s delve into how private colleges administer—they never allow students to form unions, thus keeping away the tussle and providing a healthy environment for learning. It is only in government colleges like PN Campus that student blockades transpire in the name of protest against various causes. And the spearheads behind such acts are partisan students who overlook the majority of the population attending college solely to study and march ahead in their pursuits. Not only students but teachers and others are found to be involved in politics, polluting the process of teaching and learning. Recently, the Education Minister, Sumana Shrestha, has put forward the statement that she is committed to removing politics from educational spaces.

It must be noted that the primary reason for establishing campuses is to impart quality education in an inclusive environment. Politics and other unions shouldn’t penetrate educational bodies to impair the learning process. It’s high time that largely populated colleges like PN Campus started focusing on education rather than on politics. Nepalese higher education is undergoing an imbroglio, severely impacted by the mass exodus of promising human resources. In such crises, colleges should regulate the activities going on inside the closed gates to gain the credibility of the general people and students especially. 

Eight Chinese tourists were injured in a road accident in Pokhara on Thursday.

According to Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Kaski, Mohan Kumar Thapa, the accident took place when a microbus (Ba 1 pa 851) heading towards Mustang Chowk from Lakeside and a jeep (Ba 13 Cha 513) en route to Ratna Chowk collided with each other at Rastra Bank Chowk in Pokhara this morning.

All the injured are receiving treatment at Gandaki Medical College, said Kaski Police. All of them are out of danger, according to the Hospital.

Police have arrested both drivers.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pledged to lend necessary support and cooperation for the development of Pokhara, the Tourism Capital of Nepal.

In his address to a function organized to announce Pokhara as the Tourism Capital of Nepal today, the Prime Minister said the government will accord top priority to develop Pokhara as further green, safe, systematized, beautiful and prosperous city.

He also assured of seeking support and cooperation from the international development partners for the enrichment of infrastructure development needed for the tourism capital. The Prime Minister said the Investment Summit that Nepal is hosting next month will be helpful in such efforts.

The Prime Minister on the occasion announced that the government will take initiatives to operate commercial international flights from the Pokhara International Airport.

According to the Prime Minister, the government will take further measures to effectively operate the Korala-Tribeni transit serving as the gateway to Muktinath, the famous religious shrine.

He said that the scale of cooperation and monitoring will be intensified to conclude the Mid-Hill Highway and the Muglin-Pokhara section along the Prithvi Highway. He called for cooperation among the private, government and civic level to promote internal tourism.

On the occasion, Gandaki Province Chief Minister, Surendra Raj Pandey, said the announcement of Pokhara as the Tourism Capital will help in its branding.

Pokhara metropolis mayor Dhanraj Acharya was of the opinion that the announcement would contribute to improving the living standard of the citizens of Pokhara, creating employment opportunities and eliminating poverty.

He pledged to intensify the infrastructure development in Pokhara through combined efforts among the three-tier government.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has declared Pokhara as the Tourism Capital of Nepal.

He made this announcement amidst a function organized at Barahighat, near the Phewa Lake in Kaski today.

Prior to this, the Prime Minister unveiled a logo and memorial pillar relating to the Tourism Capital.

Pokhara is to be declared as the tourism capital of the country.

Pokhara would be declared tourism capital on March 17 in presence of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of Gandaki Province Kuman Singh Gurung shared that the announcement program would be organized by Gandaki Province government and Pokhara Metropolitan City.  

A rally with different cultural processions would be taken out from Basundhara Park before the announcement. 

The announcement program would be organized at the bank of Fewa lake, Barahighat, according to the organiser. 

Pokhara would be officially declared as the tourism capital by unveiling the tourism capital marker, he added.

A main ceremony committee has been formed under coordination of the Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City to make the declaration ceremony grand.

Chief secretary of Gandaki Province, all secretaries, chairpersons of Rupa, Madi, Machhapuchchhre, Annapurna Rural Municipalities of Kaski, Phedikhola of Syangja, Suklagandaki of Tanahun, Kushma and Modi Rural Municipality of Parbat, tourism related organizations are in the committee. 

Bookworm Foundation organized its 11th edition of Nepal Literature Festival at Barahighat, on the banks of Phewa Lake, in Pokhara on Feb 15 to 19. 

The festival kicked off following the inauguration ceremony by Chief Minister of Gandaki Surendra Raj Pandey. On the first day, Kalyan Shrestha, former chief justice, gave an address on constitution and good governance. There day also opened the exhibitions by noted cartoonist Batsyayana titled ‘Batsyayana and His Barbs Volume 2’, and artist Suzana Shrish titled ‘Gorkha Women: An Echo in the Story’. 

The five-day festival featured sessions with various national and international writers, artists, politicians and experts.  

Kai Bird, Janice Pariat, Chandrahas Choudhury, and George Van Driem were among the international authors who were part of this year’s festival. Each interaction session opened up avenues for fresh discussions on themes like arts, culture, literature, society, governance, music, films, university, Nepali tradition, economy, tourism, federalism, and the craft of writing and editing.

Journalist Kunda Dixit’s interaction with American author and columnist Bird was a major highlight of the festival. Bird discussed his book ‘American Prometheus’ which inspired the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Oppenheimer’. He also discussed how nuclear warfare is a continual threat to the entire humanity.

Journalist and author Basanta Basnet interacted with comedian duo Madankrishna Shrestha and Haribansha Acharya on the themes of friendship. Economist turned politician Swarnim Wagle and former Miss Nepal Shrinkhala Khatiwada interacted with Sonia Awale on the topic of brain drain. They discussed the possibilities in Nepal and how the non-resident Nepalis, as well as the Nepali students and workers abroad can start entrepreneurship in their home country. 

Likewise, Kamal Dev Bhattarai, the editor of The Annapurna Express, interacted with politicians Min Bahadur Bishwakarma, Padam Giri and Madhav Sapkota, and Sucheta Pyakurel, director of IIDS Center for Governance on the topic of internal democracy in Nepal’s political parties.

Ajit Baral, founder and director of the festival, said the literature festival has grown over the years and has continued to receive a considerable footfall of visitors every year. 

Writer Nagarkoti credited the Nepal Literature Festival for the popularity of other literature festivals that are taking place at the provincial and local levels these days. He also noted that the Nepal Literature festival was the only international standard festival in Nepal. 

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.