KMC expresses readiness to hand over Kamal Pokhari management to locals

Kathmandu, December 4: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has said it could hand over the responsibility of reconstruction, management and conservation of the historic Kamal Pokhari (pond) to locals.
During an interaction programme with locals about the reconstruction issues of the pond organised on December 3 by the Urban Planning Commission, KMC, Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya announced the possibility of responsibility handover if locals agreed for the same.
“To restore site with historic and archaeological importance that was damaged by the 2015 earthquake to its original structure remains as the priority of KMC,” he said.
Federal Parliament member Gagan Thapa spoke of the need of reconstructing the structure within a year. He suggested the KMC that it should play a role to make the place accessible to all, including people with disabilities.
Commission member-secretary Saroj Basnet assured that the reconstruction of the pond would be carried out to make it artistic.
Locals present during the discussions, voiced for bearing in mind past practices for cleanliness and safety of the pond, protecting it from being encroached and preventing the misuse of resources.
They advised the people in authority to take initiations to organise an annual festival at the pond; include the locals in its management efforts, maintain its purity and develop it into a safe and child and senior citizens-friendly public area.
The pond presently spreads in around 23 ropanis and 14 anas of land. As per the rebuilding plan, the site will have four small ponds in four corners of the major pond and five stone spouts as well.