Kathmandu. Nepal Forum of Environmental journalists (NEFEJ) has welcomed the Supreme Court (SC) mandamus order to government authorities to dismantle illegal structures built around Phewa Lake.
Issuing a press statement NEFEJ President Arjun Dhakal said SC order has sprouted a hope that encroached infrastructures will be removed and it will help to preserve the environment around Fewa Lake.
“The tasks of removing illegal structures are not easy but we do not have alternatives to dismantle them without any delay,” the statement reads.
Responding to a writ petition filed by Advocate Khagendra Subedi a joint bench of justice Om Prakash Mishra and Sapana Pradhan Malla ordered government to implement the recommendations made by Bishwa Prakash Lamichhane-led commission’s report. The commission formed by Baburam Bhattarai-led government in 2011 had reported that registration of 3341 ropanis around the lake was illegal and that should be cancelled.
NEFEJ has underlined the need of effective coordination among federal, province and local levels for the implementation of court order. NEFEJ has suggested forming a high level government committee in order to probe and dismantle the illegal structures built around other religious, cultural and heritage sites.
