Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Kishore Thapa has stressed the need to protect tourism areas in Nepal and expand and diversify the tourism industry.
"As tourism can improve the people’s living standard, we should make it our lifestyle and culture," said Thapa while inaugurating the 8th Few New Year Festival.
The event is organised at the Basundhara Park of Lakeside by the Western regional Hotel Association.
Calling upon one and all to preserve the various lakes in Pokhara, he said that they are the jewels of the Lake City.
"Since Pokhara is one of the major tourist destinations in Nepal, the government has given top priority for the conservation of Fewa and other lakes," he said.
He informed that the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Local Development have allocated budget for the protection of Fewa Lake.
"Nobody should misuse funds in the name of protecting the Fewa Lake," he said.
He said that the funds allocated for the protection of Fewa Lake should not be diverted to other areas.
He underlined the need to work as per the ideas of experts for the protection of Fewa Lake.
He said it would take for another four months for starting flights between Pokhara and Lucknow. He asked tourism entrepreneurs not to get frustrated due to the delay in flight operation from Pokhara.
"Construction work for upgrading the Pokhara airport and building an immigration office is going on," he said.
According to him, it requires about Rs. 13 billion for developing the Pokhara airport into a regional airport. "For managing this fund, we are holding consultations with donors," he said.
He said that China had assured the government of necessary support for the reconstruction of the Pokhara airport.
"The government will also pay due attention towards the development of Panchase area," he added.
Board of director of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Agni Kandel urged for paying attention towards the protection of the natural heritage of Pokhara.
Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kaski Shambhu Koirala expressed his concern over the declining state of Fewa Lake.
"For the protection of this lake, we should construct embankments in the northwest side," he said.
Stating that human encroachment had affected the lake, he called for taking an immediate step for the protection of the lake.
