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| Kathmandu Saturday April 06, 2002 Chaitra 24, 2058. |
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Ranipokhari to regain its lost
glory
Post Report
KATHMANDU, April 5:After waiting for three
decades, the 332 years old ancient pond of Ranipokhari is to regain its lost glory that
was once shut off by the eyesore building and adjoining shopping mall which were
demolished two weeks ago.
"The Kathamndu Metropolitan City is very
soon developing a green garden on the southern edge of Ranipokhari", said Mayor
Keshav Sthapit today.
"We will complete clearing the debris and
start making a green garden next week on the area and will bar it with a low wall,"
he said adding "Still, we are certainly not spending a lot of money for the time
being. We are planning a Greater Ranipokhari Garden."
He said the high iron bars on western and
southern sides would be removed and let people walk freely around the area.
Till date, the pond is confined within high iron
bars and two guards stay there to check people from coming there with suicidal tendency.
"I don’t think anybody may choose the
dirty water of Ranipokhari to commit suicide. But for the time being, a sort of net will
be fixed on the top of the water level along the surrounding wall so that some people may
not attempt to jump into the water," he said.
KMC has not yet finalised any plan to purify or
maintain the water level of the ancient pond.
Civil engineer at the Urban Development Through
Local Efforts and water conservationist Prayag Joshi said the propaganda of Ranipokhari
conservation would be meaningless if it did not hold enough water.
"Water must be there in Ranipokhari to
complete the conservation work. The best way to revive Ranipokhari is rainwater
harvesting.," he said.
According to him, water in the pond could easily
be filled if the rainwater of Lazimpat, Keshar Mahal and Kingsway could be drained in. He
said it could be done by systematically tapping the water from storm drain of the area and
taking it to the pond through series of filter chambers built along the road.
"The pond may have local sources along with
some other sources said to be brought from the underground sources of Bishnumati. Now, as
hundreds of houses have been built around the pond, such sources may not be possible to
reuse again."
But he strongly opposed the common practice of
refilling such dried-up ponds from boring-wells. "Water of boring-wells is no
solution. It is taking water from the source and again sending back to the same place of
origin. This will only harm the natural water table and underground water sources."
Joshi said to keep the water fresh and kill the
reaction of photosynthesis, artificial water fountains, boating or fish-farming is
important.
Former senior planner Bishwombhar Lal Shrestha
said that the pond should be made a part of Ranipokhari by closing the road in the middle.
He said, "For long-term conservation, the
new buildings belonging to Tri-Chandra College and Saraswati Sadan should be demolished.
They are of no architectural or historical value."
Padam Bahadur Chhetri, former Director General
of Housing Department is of the opinion that the houses around the pond should either be
demolished or kept as public places like art galleries or small cafes.
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