Implementation of Supreme Court Order on Fewa Lake Shore Removal Faces Uncertainty

The execution of the Supreme Court’s directive to clear land and structures within 65 meters of Fewa Lake shores has hit a roadblock, plunging into uncertainty the fate of the ambitious conservation effort.

Last year on June 19, the apex court issued an interim order to authorities, prominently Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC), mandating the removal of all constructions within the specified distance from the lake’s periphery. The verdict stemmed from a writ petition contesting PMC’s decision to shrink the lake’s protected area to a mere 30 meters from the shores. Justices Kumar Regmi and Hari Prasad Phuyal of the division bench delivered the order, with the full text of the ruling unveiled on September 26.

Despite the establishment of an 11-member court verdict implementation facilitation committee by the Gandaki Provincial Security Committee, progress remains stagnant. Motilal Timsina, PMC’s spokesperson, affirmed the committee’s engagement in preparatory activities, including demarcation works and additional studies. However, a definitive timeline for implementation eluded Timsina’s statement.

Advocate Manoj Gharti Magar, doubling as a conservation activist, criticized the provincial government and PMC for their lack of decisive action in adhering to the court’s mandates. “All stakeholders must shoulder the responsibility of executing the court’s directives and undertaking necessary measures,” he emphasized.

A significant hurdle impeding the execution pertained to the compensation issue for affected individuals and businesses. While recent developments have resolved this confusion, authorities are yet to initiate enforcement measures.

The Supreme Court’s ruling envisions the creation of a green belt within 65 meters of the lake’s shores, necessitating the demolition of approximately 500 structures, as estimated by PMC.

Highlighting historical clarity, the apex court underscored the absence of disputes regarding Fewa Lake’s area until the 1970s. Consequently, it decreed against compensation for structures erected post the dam burst incident.

As the saga unfolds, stakeholders await decisive actions from authorities to preserve the ecological sanctity of Fewa Lake, a jewel of Pokhara’s natural heritage.