POKHARA, April 6: Land owned by Home Minister Sudan Gurung has been found to lie within the 65-meter buffer zone of Fewa Lake, local officials have confirmed.
Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya stated that the city administration began removing structures encroaching on the lake from Saturday, initially clearing 32 small buildings along the lakeside as a symbolic action.
According to Mayor Acharya, during a government inspection of Fewa Lake, Minister Gurung himself inquired about the exact location of his property in relation to the lake. “While reviewing the map with the minister, he asked where his land fell. I showed him that it is located inside the designated buffer zone,” Acharya said.
Despite learning that his property falls within the restricted area, Minister Gurung reportedly told the mayor: “Even if it’s my land, it must follow the rules. It doesn’t matter whose land it is; the regulation should be upheld.”
Soil excavation starts for Fewa conservation
The minister’s property is situated in the northern part of the lake, though its exact size remains unverified, the mayor added. According to the Supreme Court orders, any land deemed as encroached or causing environmental pollution is ineligible for compensation. It remains unclear when or from whom Minister Gurung acquired the property.
The ongoing enforcement of the 65-meter buffer zone around Fewa Lake is part of a broader effort to preserve the lake’s ecological health and prevent further unauthorized construction. City officials emphasize that regulations apply equally to all, regardless of ownership or status, reinforcing that environmental protection takes precedence over individual property rights.
Home Minister Gurung has clarified that he would opt for a legal remedy of his land at Fewa Lake, reasoning he was defrauded.
Home Minister Gurung said he would go for legal solution on the land, which was taken on lease for operating 'Adventure Sports Nepal' established a decade ago with an objective of promoting adventure tourism at Fewa Lake. It was however found against criteria.
While Pokhara Metropolitan City began enforcing a Supreme Court order by removing structures that encroached upon the Fewa Lake, it found that the land taken in lease by Home Minister Gurung affiliated company was an encroached area.
According to Minister Gurung's secretariat, three partners including Minister Gurung are planning to wage legal struggle, citing the landlords had given the encroached land on lease without clear status of property.
"Before leasing the land, the landlords assured us that the land did not fall within 65-metre criteria. But we knew from the local level that the property was inside the stretch," added secretariat.
