Nadhiman Lake of Sarlahi in state of neglect

By Janarjan Khatri, Sarlahi, Mar. 15: Nadhiman Lake in Sarlahi district, which was once an attractive destination for domestic tourists, is now lying in ruins. Located between Wards 6 and 7 of Chandranagar Rural Municipality, the lake is gradually losing its beauty because of a lack of conservation.

A few years ago, Nepal Army, after making arrangements for the operation of boating services and constructing various structures around the lake, had handed them over to the local community. The municipality, instead of focussing on maintaining them, chose to lease out the lake to fishermen for five years, the locals complained.

The lease contract is worth Rs. 60 million and the municipality makes more than Rs. 10 million every year out of it. However, that money has not been used in the protection and promotion of the lake, according to the locals.

Ram Krishna Singh, who runs a hotel in the area, said that the health of the lake is precarious now. “People used to come here for boating, but the two motorboats and 10 paddleboats are damaged and no one is interested in repairing them,” he said, adding, “The lake is becoming uglier by the month for lack of conservation efforts.”

Chief Administrative Officer of Chandranagar Rural Municipality Ashok Sah said that boats went out of business in the wake of COVID-induced lockdown. He added that the boats were not repaired because fund was not allocated for the same by the local level.

“We do not have necessary tools and parts to repair the boats here. We have to send them to Butwal,” Sah said. “We will soon inaugurate a children’s park, will have them repaired and bring them back into use.”

Nadhiman Lake, which used to cover an area of 52 Bighas, has now reduced to 35, according to senior citizens there. The lake might have shrunk because of encroachment, they believe.