Lessons from Nepal on Developing a Strategic Plan - World Lake ...

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noticed on shortage of drinking water, roads, drainagesystem, depletion of wildlife habitats, spoilt amenities aswell as trickled down tourism around Phewa by noise andwater pollution, narrow trails and pathways and sewagedisposals. Unsightliness has also been augmented.Sedimentation: Physical shape and size of Phewa is degradingbecause of sedimentation and land encroachment alonglakeshore. Sediment comprising silt, sand and gravel aretransported in the lake by Harpan Khola, and sediments inthe form of urban garbage are also being transported in thelake by Seti Canal, Bulanudi and Phirke Khola. Seti Canal,Bulaundi and Phirke Khola also transport silt and sand insmall quantities whose annual cumulative effect is huge.It is estimated that during the period of 1990-’94, annualsiltation rte has a range of about 175,000-225,000 m 3 . At thisrate the terminal silt trap portion will be separated <strong>from</strong> themain lake by next 20-25 years and the lake proper will be“dead” by next 135-175 years, assuming loss of 80% watervolume (DSC, 1994). A time series map analysis indicate adecrease in area <strong>from</strong> 10 km 2 (1956/57), to 5.5 km 2 (‘76) and4.4 km 2 (‘98). There has been more than 50% reduction inarea within a time frame of 5 decades (JICA/SILT, 2002).Lake Phewa is polluted due to high internal loading ofsediments (SAIC, 1992).Lake Water Pollution: Despite having picturesque outlook,Phewa has been experiencing marked changes in itsenvironmental quality over the past years, due to extremewater pollution caused by sewerage, solid wastes, clotheswashing, agricultural run-off and sediments. Table 2 brieflypresents the physical and chemical features of Phewa lake.Cultural eutrophication is considered major parameter forwater quality management in Phewa. Since managementintervention against pollution control are not in effect,density of E-colii (39-123 units/100 ml), regular disposal ofsolid waste (125 mt) and of soaps and detergents (> 100 kg)per day seems continue to cultivate in lake.Threats to Biodiversity: Phewa is well recognized as animperative wetlands habitat of nationally and internationallysignificant aquatic biodiversity. Peripheral areas of thislake in Rani Ban and Pumdi Bhumdi forests areas are giftsfor bird lovers and researchers. The Panchase hill representsbiodiversity hotspots of wildlife and rare plants of midmountainregion of <strong>Nepal</strong>. However, existing threats posedby human activities and invaders such as water hyacinth,and exotic carp fish species have caused loss of aquaticbiodiversity especially of wild rice and native fish species.It indicates laxity in management such as control throughutilization of invasive species, and this in turn poses anadverse impact on the ecosystem health of the lake.Promotion of Ecotourism: Lake Phewa environ, famed asone of the most beautiful place on earth is touristically significant.It represents a hotspot for ecotourism promotion.However, development of tourism has been unplannedand spontaneous. Growing urbanization and unplannedtourism development activities around the lake in absenceof inadequate infrastructural facilities have depressinglyaffected the lake’s recreational values (Banskota andSharma, 1998).Eco-zoning of Lake Shoreline: The effects of non-pointsources such as agricultural run off are found to be greaterthan those of point sources of pollution such as laundryareas in Lake Phewa (Rana, 1990). As per conservationguideline, 10-30m strip of land along the lake shoreline andnext 90m is recommended for buffer zone and controlleddevelopment zone with horticultural/agro forestry activitiesrespectively (IUCN, 1995b). In practice, it needs fullimplementation. Restructuring of the littoral zone providesa balanced approach to lake restoration and multiple usesof the lake, thereby integrating management practices withplanning (Engel, 1987).Inadequate Institutional Capability: Institutional inefficiencyin terms of inadequate cooperation and coordinationamong stakeholders has hindered effort on sustainablemanagement of the lake resources. There is no specificauthority responsible for the conservation and managementof Lake Phewa (Banskota and Sharma, 1998) implying“tragedy of commons”.Table 2. Physico-chemical features of Phewa (June 2003)Parameter Unit Surface 3m 5m 10mTemperature 0°C 27.4 27.0 25.5 24.0PH 9.3 8.9 8.4 7.8Dissolve oxygen mg/lt 5.28 3.25 2.03 4.06Phenolophthalein alkalinity mg/lt A A A ATotal hardness mg/lt 77.2 88.4 77.4 77.2Free CO2 mg/lt A 1.956 1.672 0.88Chloride mg/lt 12.19 29.21 26.00 31.48Secchi disc transparency cm 177Clast size and pebblesOblate and platy4 <strong>Lessons</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>Nepal</strong> on Developing a Strategic Plan for the Integrated Lake Basin Management
Strategies And Actions UndertakenPolicy and Legal ProvisionsStrategies and Policies Development: In <strong>Nepal</strong>, governmenthas made efforts to address lake conservation throughpolicy integration in the development process. Theseinclude - the National Conservation Strategy (NCS), 1987;the <strong>Nepal</strong> Environment Policy and Action Plan (NEPAP)1993; the <strong>Nepal</strong> Biodiversity Strategy (NBS), 2002; andWater Resource Strategy (WRS) 2002. Under NBS, wetlandshas place as a distinct ecosystem and recommends forwetlands policy. Consequently, National Wetlands Policyemerged out in 2003 with aims to put the conservation andmanagement aspects of wetlands conservation within theframework of broader environmental management. This isthe only one policy arrangement responding direct to wetlandsand lakes.Legal Provisions: No specific legal instruments thataddress lake issues are in place in <strong>Nepal</strong>. However, thereexist some legal instruments that protect some of the wetlandsflora and fauna across the country (inside and outsideprotected areas). Some major legal instruments arethe National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act (NPWPA)- 1973 (amended 4 times) for fauna, the Forest Act - 1993for flora, and the Aquatic Animals Protection Act - 1961 forsome specific aquatic species. Under NPWCA, 39 speciesof fauna (i.e., 27 species of mammals, 9 species of birds and3 species of reptiles) are nationally protected.Conservation Action Plans and Guidelines: Recognizingthe values of Phewa, many efforts have been made after1995 for its conservation and management. Potential causesthat degraded the Phewa lake water quality were identified.As an implementation of the National ConservationStrategy Plan, IUCN <strong>Nepal</strong> with HMGN/NPC developedGuidelines for Phewa Lake Conservation in 1995, and alsoprepared Phewa Lake Conservation Action Plan (1997).This plan has prescribed action areas under 10 strategicdirections. They are: defining lake area and its managementresponsibility; reviewing and preparing uniform legalframework for lake and watershed management; reviewingexisting land use plan of Pokhara (revise, amend andupdate land use strategy for the Pokhara valley); reviewingmunicipal infrastructure status and realigning Pame roadwhere necessary; controlling lake pollution (developmentof an effective solid waste collection and disposal system);designing and executing landscaping and beautificationschemes at strategic locations; formulating and executingtourism development strategy; encouraging conservationof biodiversity; encouraging horticulture, silviculture,aquaculture and improved animal husbandry; and encouragingwatershed management to reduce soil erosion andsedimentation.Pokhara Town Development Plan: For the regulatedgrowth of Pokhara, in 1973 Physical DevelopmentPlan was prepared. This was adopted by His Majesty’sConservation Of Phewa Lake Of Pokhara, <strong>Nepal</strong>Government of <strong>Nepal</strong>. Consequently, Pokhara TownDevelopment Committee was established under Town PlanImplementation Act 1972 for implementing the plan. Therehas been a significant impact after the implementation ofdevelopment plan particularly in the construction of buildings,roads and other infrastructures, however the majorissues of Phewa conservation still remained not addressedto this date.InstitutionsThe National Planning Commission (NPC) has been establishedto facilitate inter-sectoral coordination particularlyin developing nation’s five year development plan. In suchplanning, lakes/wetlands component often emerge out asone of the cross-sectoral priorities particularly in demonstrating<strong>Nepal</strong>’s commitment towards implementation ofinternational conventions like the CBD, Ramsar and CITES.The MoFSC is responsible for lake conservation under its4 constituent departments like Environment Division; theDNPWC; DoF; and DSCWM. Environment ProtectionCouncil (EPC) established in 1992 under the Ministry ofPopulation and Environment (MoPE) now the Ministry ofEnvironment, Science and Technology (MoEST) works onissues of pollution control, enforcement and monitoringof environmental standards, and environmental impactassessments. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives(MoAC) considers promotion of aquaculture one of itsmain activities. The ministry has a unit on agro-biodiversity,which is promoting conservation of wild varieties andwild relatives of rice plant.The Ministry of Local Development has various DDCs,VDCs, Municipalities and Metropolitan Authoritiesempowered to manage natural heritage that covers forest,rivers, wetlands etc. Similarly, section 93 and 96 of the SelfGovernance Act empower municipalities for the conservationof environment, forests, natural heritage, ancient monument,irrigation, soil conservation, wetland managementetc. Many of these institutions are also engaged in managingseveral village ponds and lakes either in isolation orthrough community participation.Boat Club is a professional organization run by boat operator.This club has contributed Nrs. 50,000 into the PhewEndowment Trust Fund with an objective of taking stake torestore lake environment of the Phewa. The club members arealso involved in manual removal of weeds <strong>from</strong> the lake.NLCDC has been established in 2007. This committee aimsto coordinate the national and international bodies, andimplement wetlands restoration programs that maximizeincentives to target beneficiaries since, the committee hasa short development history, and conservation of Phewremains its lead concern by nature.Pokhara Environment Improvement Project: A major steptaken towards conserving Phewa was under the SecondTourism Infrastructure Development Project (STIDP)5
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