Water resources policy and administrative management

Pokhara is popular destination for toursit and is also well known as the City of Nine Lakes i.e., Rupa, Phewa, Dipang, Khaste, Begnas, Maidi, Neureni, Kamalpokhari and Gunde. Of this, Phewa and Begnas are well focused in terms of research and management interventions. These lakes are resting place for 14 species of migratory birds, habitats for 18 native fish species (Ferro and Badagami 1980), and hotspots for Otter and wild rice (IUCN 1996) which revealed the international significance of the lake system. Gurung (2001) reports on Phewa lake being rich with 26 species of riparian vegetation and 7 species of aquatic vegetations. Begnas and Rupa are recognized for 8 main vegetation types with 379 genera and 128 families. In this composition, there are 128 common trees, 85 common herbaceous and shrub plants, 80 species are of religious value, 40 species of fodder, and 45 wild edible and 128 medicinal plants. Lakes are associated with marshy vegetation with emergent plants. A study recorded 25 endangered, 13 threatened, 5 rare and 2 vulnerable species of wetlands phyto-community. The area is well known due to occurrence of native of wild rice i.e., Oryza nivara. Fishes are common natural resources of the area and have become major source of income to the Indigenousl Jhalari community called. Similarly, species of 2 toads and 4 frogs; 14 reptiles, 104 birds including 14 migratory birds and 34 mammals also are observed. Of birds, 90 species are endemic to the area (IUCN 1996). Comparatively, other smaller lakes are least attended and information are least available. There are two components in this project. The first component is mainly a technical one that aims to document all necessary data towards enlisting lake cluster of Pokhara valley in the Ramsar list where as the second component creates a launching pad to execute livelihoods initiatives on sustainable basis that link good environment governance, environmental justice, gender balance and social equity. The second is mainly the community conservation demonstration component in the Rupa lake. Community playing a role of technical body in proposing lake cluster of Pokhara valley for nominating in the Ramsar list, and the same community playing a managerial role for conservation demonstration of Rupa lake make this proposal a very special and unique.

Nepal