Phewa Lake in Pokhara is being polluted by the sewage from some of the local hotels and restaurants.

Waste water from around 300 houses and business firms located at Hallanchok, Lekside, Khahare, Gairhachautari and Barahighat is drained into the lake.

Local people have also connected their sewage pipes to the lake. Mahendra Godar, chief of the Phewa Lake Conservation Project under the sub-metropolitan authority, said pollution of the water body goes unchecked.

The sub-metropolis has notified locals and traders not to let untreated sewage into the lake. “We had fined Rs30,000 each to 25 businesses that had released waste water into the lake,” Godar said, adding that the action had not deterred them. Civil Society Pokhara, Area Development Organisation, Community Service Centre, and Womens’ and Mother’s Groups are involved in conservation of the lake. Sushila Pahari, chairperson of the Dhorbarahi Didibahini Samuha, said they have been removing garbage from the lake area time to time.Bharatraj Parajuli, chairman of the Western Regional Hotel Association, said the authorities should take strong action against those involved in polluting the lake.