Tourism entrepreneur Karn Shakya has asserted that his hotel operating in Lakeside, Pokhara, has not encroached upon land belonging to Fewa Lake. The Pokhara Metropolitan City demolished structures of the hotel situated within the Fewa Lake area, a move taken because the court had not issued any stay order. The new government has included the removal of unauthorized structures in the Fewa Lake vicinity within its 100-day action plan, which the metropolitan city is implementing.
Kathmandu, 22 Chaitra – Following the demolition of his hotel’s structures by the metropolitan city on Saturday, Shakya clarified that he did not violate any regulations. He stated, “There has been no land encroachment. We have the ownership certificate, the approved map, a license from the Tourism Department, certification from the Industry Department, as well as permission from the central bank. We have paid taxes annually and hold no bank loans.”
Shakya operates the Waterfront Hotel in Lakeside. The metropolitan city removed certain parts of the hotel on Saturday, citing that these structures fell within the protected zone of Fewa Lake. Shakya expressed dissatisfaction over the demolition being carried out without prior notice. However, the metropolitan city had previously requested that no new structures be constructed in this area and that existing unauthorized ones be removed. A 65-meter buffer zone has been established to protect Fewa Lake, and the court has already issued orders related to this regulation.
