 There was a time when there weren’t many hotels around Phewa Lake and still you could see a lot of tourist dying to stay there. The reflection of the Mt. Fistail on the crystal clear water of Phewa lake could win anyone’s heart. From the origin as a tourist destination, Phewa Lake has always been a brand that has helped to promote Pokhara in numerous ways. The boating on Phewa Lake and the barahi temple on the middle of the lake attracts thousands of visitors each year. The lake has been a cash machine for lots of people, NGOs and business houses, yet today it remains there so neglected.
Today, when the lake is fighting a war for its existence and its lost beauty, the only the thing that we are able to do is watch and speed it to death. The lake is covered with the aquatic weeds and more than that the water is getting polluted day by day. Many NGOs and INGOs shows their interest on these issues but once that get bank for these issues, the issues just remain a issue.
Now, the time has come to make our selves aware about the conservation of the lake. Let’s stop blaming on each other and start conserving the lake. If you can’t do bigger things to conserve the lake, we could do small things like stop throwing rubbish, esp plastic products on the lake, stop using the lake for washing or dumping purposes and stop using the water of the lake for the daily use on the hotel and restaurants. Lets help her to gain the beauty that she has lost for decades.
About the Lake: Phewa lake is the second largest lake of Nepal and the largest lake of Pokhara Valley. IT is situated at an altitude of 784m at the western edge of Pokhara city near Baidam. It covers an area of about 4.43 sq km with an average depth of about 8.6m, maximum water depth is 19m. The maximum water capacity of the lake is estimated to be 46 million cubic meters. It lies in the valley of Harpan Khola which feeds the lake. On the southern mouth of the lake, at the crown of Pardi River, a dam is built which has nearly doubled the water level. The water of the lake is used for irrigation and electricity generation.
 The lake is surrounded by Sarangkot and Kaskikot hills on the northern side. The hill running along the lake is Raniban (Queen of Forests) which is very rich in flora and fauna. Mammals like Common leopard, Bengal fox and Barking deer are common in this forest. It is a home of abundant avifauna also.
The first main attraction is the pagoda style temple in the lake which is the shrine of Barahi (Water Goddess). The next main attraction is the mirror image of mount Machhapuchhre and Annapurna range on the crystal clear water of the lake. The south - eastern side of the lake offers the best view. THere is facility of canoeing and fishing.
Phewa originally used to cover an area of 9 sq km but now has been reduced to 4.43 sq. km. Geologically the rocks of either side of Phewa are slate and quartzite and make anticline structure along the axis of the lake.
The lake is the home of 17 species of native fish and 4 exotic species. The forest and lake is the habitat of 6 species of amphibians, 14 species of reptiles, 34 species of mammals and 104 species of birds. Out of 104 species of birds, 14 are migratory species.
The lake is linked with pitched vehicle road and oating facility is available.
Reviewed by
Ravi Shrestha
ravi@pokharacity.com
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.... well......We should preserve our lakes.......... bro well done......... According to my survey if the process of decomposition will continue the lake will convert into a plane within 247 years.....