Pokhara successfully clears Firkeko river encroachments with federal support

Pokhara Metropolitan City has successfully removed encroachments along the Firkeko river after a prolonged effort. The plan to clear the encroachments on this river, which flows through the heart of the city, was initiated by the previous local representatives. Former Mayor Man Bahadur GC had even started the process with bulldozers, but it stalled after just one day.

Locals had taken their opposition to the Firkeko standards to court, among other reasons, hindering the success of previous efforts to remove the encroachments. However, with strong support from the federal government, the metropolitan city began clearing the riverbank structures on Sunday. The first day of the operation was completed peacefully. There are 35 permanent and 97 temporary private structures, along with 18 permanent and 10 temporary institutional structures, built along the riverbank.

The metropolitan city has announced that the removal of encroachments will continue as an ongoing campaign. Local residents have also supported the city’s efforts to clear the riverbank structures. However, while agreeing that the structures should be removed, locals have opposed the subsequent standards. Residents of the Firkeko area argue that the six-meter standard is neither scientific nor practical.

After clearing the riverbank, the city plans to launch the Firkeko Corridor Project, which is expected to receive support from donor agencies. Mayor Dhanraj Acharya stated that the Firkeko Corridor Project is a visionary initiative aimed at establishing Pokhara as a “green, clean, modern, and world-class river-corridor city.”

According to Mayor Acharya, the main concept of the Firkeko Corridor includes maintaining a minimum six-meter standard on both sides of the river, with organized foot trails, safe cycling lanes, and attractive pathways for morning and evening walks. “The goal is to provide a new urban identity by integrating the natural beauty, environmental balance, tourism, and lifestyle of the citizens with the Firkeko river. The natural flow of the river will be preserved, and both banks will be adorned with green belts, native plants, stone embankments, smart LED lighting, and environmentally friendly public open spaces,” he said.

The corridor will feature rest areas in the Pokhareli style, coffee points, open cafes, selfie spots, viewing platforms, small open parks, seating areas, and cultural and artistic structures. It will also include child-friendly and senior citizen-friendly open spaces as part of the city’s plan.

“We aim to make the Firkeko Corridor not just a walking path but a public destination for lifestyle and entertainment. It will become the new urban identity of future Pokhara, where nature, modern infrastructure, tourism, health, environment, and citizen lifestyle beautifully converge,” Acharya added.

Loknath Bhandari from Ganesh Tole in Pokhara emphasized the need for proper management and sustainable development plans after demolishing the riverbank structures. “We locals support the clearing of the Firkeko river. However, arbitrary standards should not be imposed on private land in the name of regulations. If necessary, the city should provide compensation. After demolishing the structures around Firkeko, a plan for systematic development must be introduced,” Bhandari stated.

The Firkeko river stretches eight kilometers from Adherikuna in Ward 18 through Wards 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 17, reaching the tourist destination of Fewa Lake-Gaighat in Ward 6.