Positioning the subject matter of environmental challenges in Pokhara

Before  opening  the  issues  of  environmental  challenges  in  Pokhara, having some ideas to identify its geographical setting, information of tourist arrival statistics and population at district and national level will certainly be fruitful.  Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, recently celebrated Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, Tourism Year 2011 with ambitious target of welcoming one million visitors carrying the slogan of “Together for Tourism” but unfortunately only 736215 visitors entered Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, (MoTCA 2011). The delay in campaigning and ambitious target without proper planning and modus operandi has made the government’s extravagant project somewhat not completely successful in terms of achieving targets of international tourist arrivals.  Out of a total of 1,000,000 targeted international arrivals, a total of 736,215 tourists arrived in Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, in 2011. There were 545,221 arrivals by air and 190,994 arrivals by road.  The growth by air is observed 22.1 percent compare to the year 2010 (MoTCA 2011).

While discussing tourism in Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, the name of Kaski district and its headquarter Pokhara come in front row. With Pokhara city, Annapurna Himalayan Range, Machhapuchhre, Ghandruk, Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Annapurna Circuit is just few names to identify this district. These are only a few famous images of Kaski. It has an area of 2017 sq.km with

43 Village Development Committees (VDCs), one sub-metropolitan city and one municipality. The total population of this district is 492,098) (CBS

2012).   The northern part of the district slopes down from mount Machhapuchhre (6992 m), Annapurna I (8090 m), and Annapurna II (7937 m).

The major tourism sites of this district are Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City, Sarankot, Ghandruk, Ghorepani-Poonhill trek, Dhampus trek, and vulture restaurant at Bhalawat Setibagar. Interestingly Kaski district is the first Open Defecation Free district of Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, which also reflects its commitment towards healthy and clean environment. Some of the sites are discussed below along with their present tourism and environmental scenario.

Figure 8.1 Map of Kaski District

 

Source: Google (2013)

Pokhara is one of the most rapidly growing cities and also the second most visited tourist place in Nepal, the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, , the beautiful country, tourist based country, . Because of its natural beauty with spectacular views of Annapurna Himalaya range and with Machhapuchhre peak standing very close by (only 28 km), it is a popular tourist destination (Oli 1996).  Naturally, the Pokhara valley is famous for the lakes (Fewa, Rupa, Begnas, etc.), mountains (Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, etc.), caves (Chamero Gufa, Mahendra Gufa and Gupteshwar Mahadev cave), natural water Falls (e.g. Devis Fall), Hindu temples (Taal Barahi, Bindavashini), Buddhist Monasteries (Matepani Gompa) Gorges (Seti gorge), viewpoints (Sarangkot and Peace stupa) and agro base village (Hemja).

According to the hotel entrepreneurs of Pokhara, more than 550,000 tourists visit Pokhara annually, of which around 300,000 are foreigners and remaining figure is domestic travelers (Pokharel 2012, p 8). Citing Republica’s news report S. Pokhrel argues that there is increase in tourist arrival to Pokhara in 2010 by 13.39 percent, as compared to the arrival figure of the previous year (Pokhrel 2011, p 6).   Though Pokhara is welcoming domestic as well as international tourists at increasing level, this exotic city is also side by side facing immense pressure of environmental pollution. The major causes of pollution which harm tourist environment in Pokhara are problem of solid waste management, air pollution, noise pollution and pollution at Fewa Lake.