Role of Balen and Dhanraj in the Fewa Lake Standards Enforcement

Pokhara Metropolitan City has demolished nearly 32 structures within the designated boundary of Fewa Lake using bulldozers. The Supreme Court had established a 65-meter standard for Fewa Lake and ordered the removal of structures within this limit within six months. Efforts are underway to identify contaminated land due to the lake’s expansion and to provide compensation accordingly. (March 4, Pokhara)

A controversy arose early Saturday morning as the Pokhara Metropolitan City team prepared to demolish structures encroaching into Fewa Lake’s water. Taking advantage of state inertia and weak enforcement of laws, bulldozers were deployed on structures built along the lake’s shoreline, surprising many residents. The bulldozers demolished parts of these structures and warned owners to clear the remaining belongings, disrupting those who were inside their homes at the time.

Local residents protested the Metropolitan City’s move to bring bulldozers, even temporarily blocking the road near Khapaundi. They expressed anger at the demolition being carried out without prior notice. A recommendation was made for Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) to study the situation on-site at Fewa Lake, while Mayor Dhanraj Acharya faced opposition for his stance.

On Asar 4, 2080 BS (mid-June 2023), the Supreme Court issued an order to maintain a 65-meter boundary standard for Fewa Lake. However, on Chaitra 16, 2078 BS (around March 30, 2022), Pokhara Metropolitan City had unilaterally reduced this limit to 30 meters, a decision that was challenged via a writ petition. The bench, consisting of Justices Kumar Regmi and Hariprasad Phuyal, issued four directives to the central government in response to this case.