Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has formed a five-member investigation committee to ascertain the current status of land within the perimeter of Phewa Lake in Pokhara.
The Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation formed the committee under the leadership of the Director General of the Department of Land Management and Archives.
The committee has been tasked with studying the present status of land within the lake’s perimeter, including structures built in the area. It will also collect accurate details of all land plots within the lake area and carry out documentation.
The Supreme Court, six years ago, ruled that a 65-meter area from the high-flood line of Phewa be set as the lake’s perimeter. In 2023, it ordered authorities to demolish all structures within the area.
According to the ministry, a detailed study will be conducted on the condition, registration status, and usage of both private and public land within the lake area.
The ministry has given the committee seven days to prepare and submit a report with verified details of all land plots within the lake area.
While the local authorities were dragging their feet in implementing the court’s order, Prime Minister Balendra Shah last week telephoned Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya to take stock of the progress in implementing the court order.
Pokhara Metropolitan City then started demolishing structures within the demarcated area. On Friday, the metropolis bulldozed the swimming pool and entrance of the Water Front Resort, which is allegedly built within the lake’s perimeter, and several other structures built on the lake’s shores.
