Pokhara begins campaign to remove structures encroaching on Firke Khola

Pokhara – The Pokhara Metropolitan City is set to begin removing physical structures encroaching on the Firke Khola, which flows through the center of the market area, starting today.

The metropolis had previously issued a 35-day deadline for the removal of structures built on public land, which expired on Saturday. Now, the initiative is being launched as a campaign.

On Baisakh 3, the metropolis had issued a public notice directing concerned individuals and organizations to remove the structures. According to Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, all types of structures built within the river area will be demolished based on the Firke Khola survey report conducted in Ashadh 2080.

This campaign will commence simultaneously from three locations. Bulldozers will operate from Andherikuna at the boundary of Pokhara-2 and 18 towards Ward No. 4, from Firke Bridge at the boundary of Pokhara-4 and 5 towards Ward No. 5 and 8, and from Lions Building at Zero Kilometer at the boundary of Pokhara-7 and 8 towards Fewa Lake.

The metropolis has stated that the operation will be led by the chairpersons and representatives of the respective wards.

Following the metropolis’s notice, some institutions and individuals have already vacated their structures. The Lions Club and the Photographers’ Association, among others, have vacated their buildings in Firke.

According to the metropolis’s report, a total of 160 structures, both temporary and permanent, have been constructed on the Firke river area. This includes 97 temporary, 35 permanent houses and sheds, and 10 temporary and 18 permanent institutional structures.

The Firke Khola, which flows through various wards of Pokhara and merges into Fewa Lake, is eight kilometers long and varies in width depending on the location.

During the technical survey, the river was found to be between 3.30 meters and 40 meters wide. For demarcation, 303 boundary markers have been placed on the west side and 285 on the east side.