POKHARA, April 4: Residents along the banks of Phewa Lake were left stunned Saturday morning when bulldozers began demolishing homes and commercial structures built on encroached land. Many locals, who had gone to bed Friday night, said they never anticipated such action so early in the day.
In previous operations, residents had protested bulldozer activity with stones and other resistance, which often forced the machines to withdraw temporarily. Saturday morning, however, was different. Bulldozers arrived abruptly while residents were still asleep. Unlike earlier operations, local resistance failed to slow down the demolition; if anything, the machines moved faster, tearing down roofs and walls despite protests.
After prolonged struggle, bulldozers were deployed to structures built in violation of Phewa Lake regulations. Pokhara Metropolitan City conducted the operation early Saturday, targeting illegal constructions along the lake, including some well-known resorts. Not all structures were completely demolished.
Locals tried to prevent the bulldozers from operating, as they had no time to remove belongings from their homes. Nevertheless, backed by strong forces of the Nepal Police and Metropolitan Police, the city authorities proceeded with the demolition. Unlike previous operations where resistance caused the team to retreat, this time the action was carried out under the guidance and assurance of Prime Minister Balendra Shah.
According to Purushottam Thapa, head of Pokhara Metropolitan City’s Safety and Urban Inspection Division, 32 huts and structures were demolished. The largest among them was the Waterfront Resort on the Phewa Lake shore. The resort’s swimming pool and walls were destroyed. Structures along the lake from Sedi to Khapundi, beneath the lakefront road, were removed.
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“We received orders to demolish structures that violated standards, and we deployed bulldozers accordingly. The directive came late last night,” Thapa said. “This operation followed a joint order from all three tiers of government. While structures were removed, we were mindful of human sensitivities and did not demolish everything completely.”
“During the first phase, the bulldozers were used symbolically. Not all houses were destroyed, as some still had residents and belongings inside. We were careful not to damage personal property. For now, minor damage occurred to the homes, but residents were given time to remove their belongings,” he added. Most of the demolished structures were commercial establishments, including restaurants.
Thapa stated that if the demolished structures are reused, bulldozers will return. For now, minimal damage was caused to doors, walls, and roofs to avoid harming personal property. “We have asked residents to remove these structures as quickly as possible. If they reuse them, the bulldozers will be deployed again,” he said. Additional structures along the lower lakeshore built against regulations will also be removed. “The lower section still has remaining structures; the operation began in the upper areas. Saturday’s work is complete, and demolition will continue in other areas,” he added.
When Pokhara Metropolitan City began removing illegal structures along the lakeshore early Saturday, residents protested. Bulldozer activity angered locals, who briefly blocked the road from Hallanchok to Pame. Residents complained that the demolition affected daily business operations. Many had been running businesses in these structures for years, and the sudden operation disrupted their livelihoods, causing frustration and anger.
The newly formed government recently released a 100-point administrative reform agenda, which included removing encroachments in the Phewa Lake protected area. Sources said Prime Minister Balendra Shah personally instructed the demolition. A week earlier, Prime Minister Shah had called Mayor Dhanraj Acharya to inquire about Phewa Lake protection progress and had expressed interest in removing encroached structures. While no formal order was issued at that time, the Prime Minister called again late at night to direct bulldozer operations.
“A directive from the Prime Minister led Mayor Acharya to coordinate with Kaski police and Metropolitan Police, who then carried out the demolition,” sources said. Mayor Acharya had previously supported demolitions but had been restrained due to past government assurances. With the Prime Minister now in office, the Mayor acted decisively.
The Metropolitan City had previously stated that Phewa Lake protection and encroachment control were priorities. However, locals expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that alternative arrangements were not provided before demolitions.
Nabin Baral, chair of the Phewa Lake Victims’ Committee, alleged that the city used bulldozers to harass residents under the guise of enforcing regulations. He said that both Mayor Acharya and Gandaki Chief Minister Surendraraj Pande had promised compensation before demolitions, but the bulldozers were deployed just two days later.
“Demolishing structures on privately owned land is neither fair nor practical. At the very least, the government should acquire the land and provide compensation, or offer alternate land,” Baral said. He added that the demolition threatens billions of rupees in tourism investments, hundreds of jobs, and livelihoods.
Baral warned that using bulldozers on private land while allowing encroachment elsewhere is not a prudent government decision. “We will protest and pursue justice,” he said.
The Supreme Court’s order had earlier stated that lands registered before 2031 BS are eligible for compensation, while lands registered afterward should be considered illegal and cancelled. Following this directive, the federal government is responsible for providing compensation to rightful claimants, and the provincial government is tasked with cancelling illegal lands and clearing all structures on them.
According to the committee’s latest verification, the area of Phewa Lake, including the lakehouse and the 65-meter buffer zone, has been established at 6.343 square kilometres, equivalent to 12,468 ropani, 3 paisa, and 3 dam. In 2018 BS, Phewa Lake covered 10 square kilometres, but subsequent studies indicate a steady decline. Research in 2031 BS recorded 6 square kilometres, in 2052 BS it measured 4.43 square kilometres, in 2057 BS it decreased to 4.25 square kilometres, and by 2064 BS it had reduced further to 4.2 square kilometres.
Mayor Acharya stated that demolitions so far were symbolic, with residents given 15 days to remove belongings. Lands eligible for compensation will be addressed accordingly, while illegal lands will be cleared immediately. “Work will continue uninterrupted, and Phewa Lake protection will not stop,” he said.
