Bardiya – Bhagraiya Lake, one of the famous lakes of Bardiya district, is now facing an existential crisis due to lack of efforts for its conservation. Located in the midst of Dhanura village, the lake looked like an ocean earlier but now it is on the verge of drying up.
To explore the ways for the protection of this lake, Nepal Forum of Environment Journalist (NEFEJ) in collaboration with USAID organized ‘ Panni Chhalphal’ program on March 6, 2018. The discussion program was focused on exploring the challenges of protection of lake and finding its prospects.
Until 15 years ago, it was a big lake covering an area of 45 Bigha (a traditional unit of measure of land). However,it is in a miserable situation now. One local Bhadai Tharu, who was born and grew up in the surroundings of lake, lost his eyesight while fighting a Tiger. Locally known as ‘The Tiger Man’, Tharu is nature conservation campaigner.
“The lake was giant and looked beautiful when lotus flowers blossomed into its surface. Now we have to search the lake as the growing water hyacinth is damaging the natural existence of lake,” said Tharu. The protection of this lake, one the one hand, will contribute for bio-diversity, and on the other hand, it can generate employment opportunities for local people, he said.
He also presented a Tharu language song with a message calling for protection of this lake. Underlining the need for awareness at local level, he said the state should take some measures to preserve this lake.
This is the only big wetland in the district. The lake is being encroached due to growing human activities such as infrastructure development, formation of sport grounds and expansion of human settlements. The lake used to be sourcewater for the locals. The pollution and encroachment of lake have wiped out fish and other water species.A decade earlier, people used to trap fishes from lake. “We have realized now that we failed to recognize the property surrounding us,” said Tika Bahadur Thapa Magar, who attended the discussion program. He said, “We failed to protect this lake in the past, now we have to take measures.”
According to local people, this lake could be developed as a tourist destination which will create employment opportunities. “If this lake is protected,tourists will come here visit that will create employment,” said Anita Pariyar, a local resident.
The discussion program was chaired by NEFEJ Chairman ArjunDhakal and Chief Guest was Man Bahadur Bista Deputy Coordinator of District Coordination Committee Bardiya. After receiving suggestions from the locals, Bista expressed his commitment to formulate a policy for the preservation of the lake. “Firstly, the land ownership certificate and topographic map of this lake should be prepared, and ward committee will take this responsibility,” he said, adding that local government should formulate policy and planning for the protection. Bista said damaging natural resources would not be helpful for employment generation.
Subharani Tharu, Deputy Mayor of Madhuwan Municipality, and Dharma Raj Neupane, Chief Administrative Officer, presented their plans for the protection of lake. They expressed their commitments that 2075 will be celebrated as a year of Bhagraiya Lake Protection year. The three-hour long discussions also endorsed a set of commitments for the conservation of lake.
