Ghodaghodi Lake’s Biodiversity Under Threat Amid Inadequate Conservation Budget

Ghodaghodi: Stakeholders have expressed concern that the provincial government has not allocated sufficient funds for the conservation of Ghodaghodi Lake in Kailali, an internationally important wetland.

They have alleged that the government has placed greater emphasis on infrastructure development than on conserving the biodiversity-rich wetland.

Conservation activist Rama Acharya said the government appears to be avoiding its responsibility by allocating only one to two lakh rupees for Ghodaghodi. He said the government does not appear serious about the challenges facing the lake’s biodiversity and conservation.

Dayaram Chaudhary, former vice-president of the Greater Ghodaghodi Lake and Tourism Development Committee and a conservation activist, said work has not progressed according to the master plan prepared by the development committee. He said frequent changes of secretaries following changes in government have affected implementation of the master plan. Conservation programs have also become inactive due to weak coordination with donor agencies.

Currently, donor agencies have no effective presence in the Ghodaghodi area, while all three levels of government have also been unable to implement effective conservation programs. Ghodaghodi Manch, a local NGO that has long been active in conservation, has also become inactive.

Locals have accused the local government of neglecting Ghodaghodi’s management after handing it over to a private company. Forum Chairman Hem Bahadur Bam said there is no effective regulation of activities that are permitted and prohibited in the wetland.

After the provincial government declared Ghodaghodi Lake the first bird sanctuary in 2078 BS, expectations had grown that government ownership of its conservation and development would increase. However, subsequent budgets and programs have disappointed locals.

According to Janak Padhyay, Chief of the Division Forest Office, Pahalmanpur, the budget allocated for Ghodaghodi is very low. About Rs. 1 million was allocated in fiscal year 2080/81 for controlling crocodile species, protecting crocodile and turtle habitats, and preparing an action plan. In fiscal year 2081/82, about Rs. 500,000 was allocated for controlling poaching and eliminating crocodile species, while only about Rs. 200,000 was allocated in the last fiscal year 2082/83.

The lake, which covers 2,563 hectares, is shrinking every year due to the Michaha species. The office has stated that conservation efforts require control of the Michaha species, training and equipment for poaching control teams, activation of eco-clubs, and public awareness programs on ecotourism.