By Smita Adhikari, Pokhara, Sept. 25: The Gandaki State Lake Conservation and Development Authority has come up with a large-scale project proposal to make the undervalued lakes in Pokhara productive.

Accordingly, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) including the proposal of expansion, conservation, promotion and building up the structure in Dipang, Khaste, Gude, Maidi and Neureni Lake has been sent to the federal government this week.

Even though the lakes are listed as major wetland region of Nepal, these places carry largely negelcted look, said, Anup Gurung, executive chief of the authority.

So, the NEA has given priority for the protection, promotion and conservation of these lakes, he added.

According to the DPR and preamble prepared by the authority, the weeds in these lakes will be removed and the lakes will be beautified with the necessary structure and extension.

Accordingly, plans have been made in the DPR to build an interconnected road connecting all the five lakes, develop parks around the lakes, and thus connect the lakes with the local income also by boosting capacity of the locals.

The DPR states that it will cost around 300 million rupees for the project.

The proposal has been made in such a way that half of the amount will be borne by the federal government and half by the state government.

These lakes are rich in local fish with medicinal properties, lotus flowers and other medicinal herbs.

However, due to lack of public awareness and skilled manpower for conservation and marketing of fishing, programs have been brought to increase the capacity of the locals along with the construction of physical infrastructure.

According to an on-site observation report by the authority a few months ago, so far the government has focused only on major lakes such as Phewa, Begnas and Rupa.

“Searching for the prospects and possibilities in small lakes and protecting those lakes for the financial prosperity of the Gandaki state is our primary concern" said Gurung, executive chief of the authority.

The Gandaki State Government established the Lake Conservation Development and Authority last year to identify and develop the lakes and ponds in Gandaki.