Gandaki, 13 Jul: Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surendra Raj Pandey, has emphasized the need to utilize Begnas Lake for tourism development. While inaugurating and consecrating the newly constructed Baraha Area, Barahathan, Panchayan Deity, and Laxmi Narayan Temple in the Begnas Lake premises under Pokhara Metropolitan City–31, he expressed his commitment to developing the lake as a center of natural beauty.
Highlighting the potential for both religious and tourism-based development in line with local aspirations, he said that such initiatives could help generate economic income and extend tourists’ length of stay in the region. He also urged the local community to focus on conservation of the lake, prevention of encroachment, and development in accordance with a master plan.
Highlighting Begnas Lake’s special role in the campaign to transform Pokhara into a “tourism hub,” Chief Minister Pandey stressed that businesses in the lake area should move toward modernization.
Vice-Chancellor of Gandaki University, Prof. Dr. Indra Prasad Tiwari, stated that the Begnas Lake area could be developed as a “land of knowledge.” Citing religious texts, he mentioned that the sage Chyawan had practiced yoga and meditation in this very location, pointing to the site’s strong potential for both religious and tourism promotion.
Chief District Officer of Kaski, Rudradevi Sharma, highlighted the historical, religious, and cultural significance of the Baraha area, expressing her belief that its development would contribute to the overall prosperity of Gandaki Province.
Chairperson of the event and Ward No. 31 Chairman, Dhak Nath Kandel, announced that the Baraha area has been officially opened to the public from today. He urged that the area be developed as a prime tourist destination by integrating culture, nature, and technology.
Begnas lake
He informed that the development work is being carried out in accordance with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) previously prepared by the then Lekhnath Municipality.
Other speakers at the event — including Ward No. 26 Chairman Narendra Thapa, Undersecretary of the Government of Nepal Basantaraj Tiwari, former President of the Lekhnath Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chhatradhar Atreya, religious figure Dhruvanath Adhikari, former Chair of the Construction Committee Surendra Raj Sapkota, and Secretary Shriram Kandel — expressed confidence that the newly constructed Baraha Temple and related infrastructure would play a significant role in enhancing the tourism potential of Begnas Lake.
