Pokhara Metropolitan City has officially launched a massive demolition drive to reclaim public land and clear long-standing illegal encroachments along the Firke Khola (stream). Deploying more than 10 bulldozers simultaneously across three strategic locations, the city administration began tearing down unauthorized physical structures built directly over or within the stream’s natural boundary.
The enforcement began immediately after the expiration of a 35-day public notice issued on April 16, which was reinforced by a final 72-hour ultimatum to occupants. Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya formally kicked off the campaign at the Zero Kilometer area, overseeing the demolition of a prominent Lions Club building constructed on encroached land.
A Decisive Move to Protect Natural Waterways
The Firke Khola is a critical eight-kilometer-long natural stream that weaves through several urban wards of Pokhara—including Wards 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, and 18—before emptying into the ecologically sensitive Phewa Lake. Over decades, unchecked urban sprawl and structural encroachment had severely narrowed the stream, choking its natural flow with hume pipes and concrete foundations, which exacerbated urban flooding and pollution.
According to a detailed technical survey and mapping report completed by the metropolis, a total of 160 illegal structures were identified violating the riverbed. The targeted properties include:
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97 temporary private houses and sheds.
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35 permanent private buildings.
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28 institutional structures, including community centers, schools, and local ethnic organization buildings.
To legally cement the stream’s boundaries prior to the operation, authorities had installed 588 official boundary pillars (303 on the western bank and 285 on the eastern bank). Under the newly enforced municipal guidelines, a mandatory standard width of six meters has been fixed as a strict setback from the riverbank.
Restoring Public Land
Speaking from the demolition site, Mayor Dhanraj Acharya emphasized that the drive is part of a broader, uncompromising campaign to safeguard public property across the valley.
“This is just the beginning. We can discuss long-term urban standards later, but the immediate, non-negotiable issue is the stream corridor itself. Houses simply cannot be built directly over the water. The campaign will continue until all public land is fully reclaimed.”
While some organizations, such as the Lions Club and the local Photographers’ Association, voluntarily vacated and stripped their buildings ahead of the deadline, the metropolis had to resort to forced demolition for the majority of the non-compliant structures. Local ward chairpersons and municipal police personnel are currently leading the field teams.
Looking Forward: The “Firke Corridor”
The ongoing clearance also aligns with a previous Supreme Court directive aimed at protecting the primary water sources feeding Phewa Lake.
Once the demolition phase is complete and the stream is restored to its natural width, Pokhara Metropolitan City plans to construct a green “Firke Corridor.” This dedicated environmental project will focus on the conservation, greening, and beautification of the banks, alongside the construction of a public foot track to transform the reclaimed area into a sustainable urban space.