The nomination process to enlist nine lakes of Pokhara as the part of Ramsar Sites has reached its final stage. Ramsar Sites are wetlands recognised by the Ramsar Convention, an inter-governmental treaty signed in 1971, for conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
Officials at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) said they will recommend the names of the lakes for government approval within one week.
“After the Cabinet of Ministers has given its nod, the names will be sent to the Switzerland-based Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands for Ramsar enlistment,” Maheshwor Dhakal, under secretary at the DNPWC, said. “As per our communication so far, the secretariat officials have assured to treat our submission
with priority.”
The lakes proposed for Ramsar Sites are Phewa, Begnas, Rupa, Dipang, Gunde, Maidi, Neurani, Kamal and Khaste.
Nepal is already home to nine Ramsar Sites. Five of them— Koshi Tappu
Wildlife Reserve, Ghodaghodi Lake, Besshazari Tal, Jagadishpur Lake and
Mail Kohla— are lowland wetlands. The remaining four—Gokyo, Gosaikunda, Shey-Phokshundo and Rara— have been recognised as the high altitude wetlands.
“Pokhara is already a centre of tourist attraction because of its beautiful lakes and its natural beauty. By enlisting the Pokhara lakes in the Ramsar Sites, we hope to enhance the social and
economic aspects of the area and promote tourism,” Dhakal said.
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