Premlal’s selfless deed has not only been appreciated by many in and around the village, but he also has been recognized for his work from different sectors.
Premlal Chaudhary of Falkapur, ward no. 3 of Lamahi in Dang wakes up early in the morning, attends his goats and cows. After his daily chores, he ventures out towards the local lake called Jakhera Taal.
Premlal has been involved in saving Jakhera Taal for many years now and is known around the area as the conservation leader.
Premlal relies on farming and animal husbandry for living. But he is known more as the leader of lake conservation. He has spent most of his life to preserve this lake. He has received many accolades for his efforts too.
Premlal seems content with his work. “I feel good…I am satisfied,” feels Premlal. “More I work, more I get satisfaction when we get the desired result.”
Falkapur village lies right below the Chure hill region. The monsoon rains from Chure flow down the plains to create lakes. This natural process has created many lakes since time immemorial. Premlal’s generation heavily relied on these lakes for farming and animal husbandry. But these lakes in the village began to dry out due to land erosion from Chure. This had an adverse impact on local animal husbandry and farming also.
As the situation worsened, Premlal and his fellow villagers decided to preserve the lakes to overcome this problem. Their efforts began from preserving the all important Jakhera Taal.
“We formed a committee and invited all the users and told them that we should save our resources for future generation,” he says. “All of them agreed and we started working towards it.”
Premlal has spent almost 18 years in preserving this Jakhera Taal. He was treasurer of the first committee formed to preserve the lake. Later, he worked continuously as its president for 12 years. Jakhera Taal was covered with grass…little water existed. Various activities were implemented under the leadership of Premlal. The locals actively participated in the activities.
They spent about 80,000 rupees in the beginning to clean up the lake, according to Premlal. “We constructed gabion wall to stop land erosion,” he says. “We worked for two years to filter down the water step by step to control the mudslide.”
Their efforts have now given some results. Premlal proudly showed us the lake and new picnic spot there.
There is a saying in Nepali that even the river flows back in 12 years. Premlal’s 12 years of efforts too changed the face of the lake. Premlal inspired many locals to get involved in his conservation campaign. Present leader of Jakhera Taal Conservation Committee Ram Singh KC is a witness to this.
“Premlal started this conservation campaign to save the lake and has done a lot to bring it in present condition,” says Ram Singh who is vice-chair of Jakhera Taal Conservation Committee. “We need an active team to continue his good work.”
Ram Singh KC is determined to fulfill Premlal’s dreams as per the changing times.
“There are many works I need to do,” he says. “There is no parking space for vehicles, no drinking water. Women coming here for picnic face problems due to lack of proper toilets.” “People need to release too after they eat. These are some of the works I need to do.”
This lake was limited to irrigation and animal husbandry before. Now this has become a good source of water for wildlife during the summer. Therefore, locals here have seen the possibility of tourism development.
“This used to be the source of water for farmers before. Now, this has become more important to preserve wildlife and birds here,” says Ram Singh.
Premlal is ecstatic to see many people visiting the lake for recreation. “People come here for picnic and shops are running well,” he says. “I am very happy. More people I see coming, more satisfied I am.”
Residents of this village have preserved many other lakes too after learning the lessons from Jakhera Taal.
Locals of Falkapur village have preserved the Falkapur Taal and Premlal has once again played a leadership role.
Yamlal Ghimire of Falkapur says they consulted Premlal and began working towards saving the Falkapur Taal by forming a conservation committee.
According to Ram Prasad Poudel, Premlal took a major initiative. “We gave moral support to the conservation campaign, as we don’t have money,” he says. “Now, the situation has improved a thousand times. Jungle is also maintained well.”
Ram Chaudhary feels that their conservation efforts have also increased the number of animals in the local jungle. “People who go for cutting grasses come back with mites all over their bodies,” he told us. “Everyone here believes that there are mites due to increased number of animals like deer.”
After the conservation of Jakhera Taal, the Kalaapani Taal of Sisahaniya, one km north from Mahendra Highway, got a new lease of life. Locals have planted broom grass to save the lake. They have raised the level of edges around the lake to stop mudslide from Chure region entering into it. Due to these initiatives, the water level has increased significantly which has helped locals use it for irrigation also. This has come up as a solution to the problem of water sources drying up below the sensitive Chure region throughout the country. Conservationists have highly appreciated the locals’ efforts here.
Premlal’s selfless deed has not only been appreciated by many in and around the village, but he also has been recognized for his work from different sectors.
The district forest office in Dang recently awarded him for preserving the wildlife.
As a reward, Premlal received 7,000 rupees. His response was – “I feel enthusiastic. This has encouraged me to do more.”
(Based on Paani television and radio programs)
