Bini Dahal

Cliché as it may sound, the majority of movies begin with a certain kind of scene. Our protagonist is seen running along the river while enjoying the fresh air and the panoramic view of the sun. Having watched these kinds of scenes a lot, my dramatic mind has always wished that I could live in such a place. While this is a difficult occurrence in an urban setting like Kathmandu, I was able to experience a similar incident close to the beautiful Phewa Lake in Pokhara.

As part of a three-day trip, I got to travel to Pokhara after six or seven years. Popularly known as the Cherapunji of Nepal due to the highest amount of rains Pokhara receives every year, the Lake City, especially its Lakeside area, is the perfect example of a balanced existence between nature and humans despite growing human interventions. With Pokhara offering an amazing view of majestic snow-clad mountains, beautiful lakes and wonderful landscapes, the city attracts hundreds of thousands of domestic as well as international travellers each year. While exploring the city, I felt like I was walking in the cities of some highly developed nations.

The high inflow of tourists into Pokhara and its vicinity areas seems to have prompted the local authorities and people to try their best in maintaining it. The streets in this city are much cleaner and systematic as compared to Kathmandu. Street numbers have been placed, making it easy for people to travel around. Dustbins are placed in different corners just so that wastes are managed. Thanks to the natural beauty and the ever-increasing tourist market, local people have been able to have job opportunities. The whole environment is very peaceful and healing.

Though I had stayed in the city just for two days, I kept feeling like Kathmandu was not exactly the city that I want to live in for a long time. I had come to realise that I was suffocating myself in an overtly populated and concrete city of Kathmandu and longed for a place that was naturally wholesome.

This is the case for the majority of the Kathmanduites. Our lives are very fast-paced and we are busy every single day. So, at times, we require some kind of diversion so that we can gain the strength to return to the same environment. Also, living between concretes and not even being able to enjoy certain aspects of nature (for example sunlight) is so common these days. People realise this fact fast when they travel to places like Pokhara. With sustainable development being the main concern and aim of many, a growing number of people want to live a balanced life.

If efforts are made, Kathmandu, despite its rapidly increasing concrete structures, can present a similar picturesque like Pokhara. After all, the capital city boasts some of the best cultural heritages. And these invaluable monuments and artefacts are also a part of our nature. If we are putting effort into reaping economic benefits from these heritages, then we surely can also make endeavours for their maintenance.

The irony of the city of Kathmandu is that our eyes have difficulty identifying even a single tree. And whatever is left is just coated with smoke and dust particles! This is why I dearly cherish my memories of Pokhara and wish for some miracle to happen in my own city, too.