Pokhara begins demolition drive on Firkekhola encroachments
The municipality had conducted a technical survey in August 2023 to determine the river’s actual boundary.
KATHMANDU: Pokhara Metropolitan City has deployed bulldozers from Sunday morning to remove illegal structures built encroaching the Firkekhola area.
The move comes as part of implementing a Supreme Court order to protect and demarcate the Phewa Lake source river, Firkekhola.
The municipality had conducted a technical survey in August 2023 to determine the river’s actual boundary.
The study found more than 160 illegal structures within the 8-kilometre stretch of the river’s flow area and designated buffer zone. Among them are 97 temporary private houses, while the rest are permanent structures.
Encroachments also include schools, community buildings of various local and ethnic organizations, the Lions Club of Fishtail City building, and an Armed Police Force (APF) training centre located at Ghaighat in Ward No. 17.
After issuing a public notice on April 17 urging voluntary removal of structures within the designated area, the municipality proceeded with enforcement early Sunday after non-compliance, launching demolition from three different locations along the river.
