By Smita Adhikari
Pokhara Oct. 31: Lotus production in different lakes of Pokhara has diminished rapidly of late. This has worried local woman groups, which had initiated activities for its protection for one-and-a-half decades.
"Lotus in the lakes is at risk of extinction," acting chair of Begnas Lake Women Group Durga Devi Adhikari said.
The plant is extensively used to cure jaundice.
The group has been running the 'Lotus Protection Campaign' to maintain biodiversity. But now they are worried as the lotus production is on the decline.
Until five years ago, the edge and certain corners of the lakes could be seen full of blooming white lotus, which used to add beauty to the blue water of the lakes.
When the flowers used to fade in about two months, locals, who knew the medicinal value of that lotus, would row their boats towards them to pluck its seed. Locals believe the seed is useful for curing jaundice.
However, in recent days, many factors have adversely affected the smooth growth of the lotus, flooding being the main reason. "We used to pluck almost 50,000 pieces of White Lotus with their ripe seeds from Begnas Lake only at a time," Adhikari recalled.
The Unnati Aama Samuha of Rupa Lake, a local group, is worried, too.
Locals blame 'Nill- Chari', one of the species of local birds that feeds on lotus plant, for destroying it.
“Nill Chari appeared all of a sudden and caught us with surprise. We have not been able to track them as we are also running campaign for local bird protection" Chair of the Unnati Aama Samuha Rupa Lake Sita Adhikari said adding that the white lotus was in diminishing trend in the Rupa lake for last five years just because of Nill- Chari. "We want to save Lotus at all costs as people from far and wide come here for lotus plant to treat jaundice," she said.
According to her, they had applied various attempts to save the lotus plant but in vain. At the initiation of that group, cages, pillars and a few security structures had been set up around its protection area. People would take permission of the group to pluck Lotus seed.
Pokhara is a city of eight major lakes, and White Lotus is its one of the major specialties and sources of biodiversity and natural beauty. But its disappearance from the lakes has become cause for concern.
"After the Cooperatives Limited run by locals started Fish Fly Release programmes in the waters of the lake, it also harmed lotus plants," Hari Lamichhane, Chair of the Khaste Lake Fisheries and Agricultural Cooperative, said. “Lotus seed business has been stopped completely in Khaste Lake these days.”