A National Seminar on

"ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes"

Compilation:
Shailendra Pokharel
Madhukar Khadka

Organized By In Collaboration With

National Lake Conservation MoE, ILEC, NTB, NTNC, TU,

Development Committee JMC, ICIMOD, IUCN,
(NLCDC) CSUWN, WWF, TMI, and
AMC

March 26-29, 2010

Kathmandu, Nepal
PUBLISHED BY

National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC)

Copyright © National Lake Conservation Development Committee

This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit
purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgement of the source is
made. No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose whatever
without the prior permission in writing from the NLCDC.

PROVISO

The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in this report are the views of the presenters and do
not necessarily represent the views of the organizers. It engrosses only successful work towards the wetland
management and some research papers.

Non Edited Version

GRAPHIC DESIGNING AND COMPUTER SETTING

Madhukar Khadka

CITATION

Please cite this report as:

National Lake Conservation Development Committee: Kathmandu, Nepal
Madhukar Khadka (Programme Officer NLCDC)

PRINTED BY

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ABOUT COVER

The front cover display the highest lake Tilicho (4919 msal), Jata Pokhari (4235 msal) and Rupa (631 msal)
The back cover display the nine Ramsar sites of Nepal
Collaborating Institution

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Janapriya Multiple Campus

Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal Pokhara
Tel: 977-1-4232411, 4222846
Fax: 977-1-4227758 International Centre for Integrated Mountain
Web: www.tourism.gov.np Development
PO Box: 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal
National Lake Conservation Development Tel: 977-1-5525313
Committee Fax: 977-1-5524509, 5536747
Kathmandu, Nepal http://icimod.org
Tel: 977-1-4420173
Fax: 977-1-4421954 The World Conservation Union
www.nepallake.gov.np PO Box: 3923. Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-5528761
International Lake Environment Committee Fax: 977-1-5536786
Foundation http://iucnnepal.org
1091 Oroshimo-cho
Kusatsu, Shigh 525-0001, Japan Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in
Tel: +81-77-568-4567 Nepal
Fax: +81-77-568-4568 Tel: 977-1-4226230 /4229669
http://www.worldlakes.org Fax: 977-1-4229670
http://www.wetlands.org.np
Ministry of Environment
Address: Singhdurbar, Kathmandu World Wildlife Fund
Tel: 977-1-(4211661, 4211709) PO Box: 7660 Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Fax: 977-1-4211754 Tel: 977-1-4434820 /4434970 /4410942
Web: www.moenv.gov.np Fax: 977-1-4438458
http://www.wwfnepal.org
Nepal Tourism Board
Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu, Nepal The Mountain Institute
Tel: +977-1-4256909 P.O. Box 2785
Fax: +977-1-4256910 Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Website: www.welcomenepal.com Tel: (977 1) 4419356 or 4414237
Fax: (977 1) 4410073
National Trust for Nature Conservation www.mountain.org
P.O. Box: 3712, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-5526571, 5526573, Action in Mountain Community
Fax: +977-1-5526570 Pokhara
http://www.ntnc.org.np www.mtnforum.org

Tribhuvan University Hotel Association Nepal

www.hotelassociationnepal.org
Kirtipur, Kathmandu
www.tribhuvan-university.edu.np
Content

Content I
Foreword II
Acknowledgment III
Acronym IV
Integrated Lake Basin Management and Governance V

Technical Session – I: Genesis of ILBM and its global learning

Paper 1. Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM-G) Indian - Prof. Dr. M. S. Kodarkar 3
component
Paper 2. Women in ILBM implementation- A case from the - Adelina S. Borja 9
Philippines

Technical Session – II: Managing lake and their basin

Paper 3. Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) for the - Pokharel Shailendra, 15
Sustainable Conservation of Himalayan Lakes of Nepal Nakamura Masahisa
Paper 4. Glacial Lakes and Wetlands in Bhutan Himalayas - G Karma Chhopel 23
Paper 5. Challenges and Opportunities in Lake Conservation and - Rahat Jabeen, Najam 27
Management: A Case study of Ucchali Lakes Complex – Khurshid and Farooq Awan
Pakistan

Technical Session – II: Managing lake and their basin

Paper 6. ILBM implementation for the conservation of Bhoj - Dr. Vipin Vyas and Shripana 35
Wetlands, Bhopal, India Saxena
Paper 7. Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnological - Sandeep Joshi 41
Applications for Lake Pollution Control in India

Lessons Learning Session I: Lake conservation in Nepal

Paper 8. National Lake Strategic Plan for Nepal Process and - Ukesh Raj Bhuju 49
Contents
Paper 9. A Case Study of Raja-Rani Lake in Dhankuta District - Rajendra Khanal and Juna 55
Giri
Paper 10. Morphometry, Water Quality, and Sedimentation of - Shrestha, Gyan K. Chhipi 57
Phewa Lake, Pokhara, Nepal and Pradhan, Ananta MS.

Lessons Learning Session II: Lake conservation in Nepal

Paper 11. Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in - Top B. Khatri and Shalu 63
Nepal: Lessons from the Ghodaghodi Lake Area, Adhikari
Western Nepal
Paper 12. Journalism in addressing lake conservation issues in - Dhurba Basnet and Mohan 67
Nepal Mainali

Visioning the Future 71

Appendix A. Inauguration Speech a-d

Appendix B. Participant List e-i
Appendix C. Program Schedule j-k
Appendix D. Photographs

Table of Content I
Foreword
This report is an output of the national seminar on "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes"
organized by National Lake Conservation and Development Committee (NLCDC) supported by different
organizations. The committee was formed under the Development Committee act 2013 in 2063 BS (2006) as
a development authority under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, now the Ministry of
Tourism and Civil Aviation. Since then, the NLCDC has been operating as a national body to develop,
promote, and conserve lakes and wetlands programs. Promotion of tourism with a sharp focus on lakes and
wetlands culture and biodiversity values is the principle strategy and action areas of NLCDC.

The need for the committee for promoting the lakes and wetlands have deep and strong connection among
the Nepalese citizens in terms of their socio-economy, religio-culture, traditional faith, spiritual gain,
tourism, biodiversity conservation and lakes. On virtue of values and the contribution wetlands could play
on sustainable development of Nepal has been frequently and seriously articulating in many events - varying
from the educational and scholastic discussions to grassroots debates. Nepal's 13 percent of ethnic groups
that are solely dependent on lakes and wetlands resources is a valid manifestation of it.

The committee makes some major contributions, such as, formulating policy on protection and development
of lakes, developing lake as recreational and tourist destinations, identifying and publicizing religious and
cultural importances of lakes, sustainable use and management of lakes etc. Finally, the major objective of
this committee is to coordinate with national and international organization as per the need on issues of
protecting and developing of lakes. This national seminar held on March 26-29, 2010 is the example of
dedication of NLCDC as the national response in respect of conservation of the Himalayan lakes of the
region.

The report underscores the central role lakes and reservoirs play in integrated water resources management.
It advocates that lakes and reservoirs need to be managed as integrated units with their basins. The concept
of Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) complements to the Integrated Water Resources
Management (IWRM) approach. In this national report, success stories of ILBM from the countries like
India, the Phillippins, Pakistan are incorporated issues discussed and resolutions are recommended. We
anticipate that this report would be contributing for the sustainable conservation of lakes and wetlands in line
with the prospects set up by our national policies and MDGs.

………………………
Krishna Chandra Mishra
Chairperson
National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC)

Foreword II
Acknowledgments
This national seminar on "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes" is organized by the National
Lake Conservation and Development Committee as co-sponsored by international organization, government
and non-governmental organization; and academia like Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology;
International Lake Environmental Committee, Japan ; Nepal Tourism Board; National Trust for Nature
Conservation; Tribhuvan University; Janapriya Multiple Campus; International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development; International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources;
Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal; World Wildlife Fund; The Mountain Institute;
Hotel Association Nepal; and Action in Mountain Community.

On behalf of NLCDC, I would like to express our gratitude to our co-sponsors of this national seminar. We
anticipate similar kind of supports in future as well. Hon'ble minister Mr. Sarad Singh Bhandari who
inaugurated this national seminar as chief guest is a demonstration of the seriousness of our national priority
on lake conservation. NLCDC greatly acknowledge to Hon'ble minister Mr. Bhandari for providing his
valuable time in inauguration despite busy schedule, and providing his audience to international delegates.
Further, our special thanks go to Prof. Dr. Nakamura to leverage support from ILEC particularly for funding
the participation of international delegates. His advice and technical supports are always memorable to us in
the recognition of Himalayan lake issues. Further, we acknowledge for the participation of Prof. Dr. Mohan
S. Kodarkar (India), Scientific Committee Member of ILEC; Adelina S. Borja (the Philippines), Scientific
Committee Member of ILEC; Dr. Vipin Vyas and Dr. Saxena (India); Mr. Sandeep Joshi (India); Dr. Rahat
Jaben (Pakistan); and Mr. G Karma Choppel (Bhutan); and national delegates Prof. Dr. Madan Koirala of
TU; Prof. Dr. Ram P. Chaudhary of TU; Dr. Dinesh Raj Bhuju of NAST; Dr. Bishnu Bhandari of ICIMOD,
Prof. Dr. Sanjaya Khanal of KU; Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha; Mr. Ukesh Raj Bhuju, Mr. Rajendra Khanal
and Juna Giri of IUCN Nepal; Mr. Bhawani Dangol of WWF; Mr. Gyan Kumar Chhipi and his colleagues of
TU, Mr. Tpo B. Khatri and Shalu Adhikari of CSUWN/N; and Mr. Dhurba Basnet and Mohan Mainali.

Further, our thanks also go to Executive Board Members of NLCDC like Mr. Krishna Chandra Mishra
(Chirman); Mr. Dhurba Raj Chalisae; Er. Anil Piya; Ms. Jibchi Chaudhari; Mr.Prachandaman Shrestha, Er.
Mathura Dangol; Ms. Gayatri Karki and Mr. Mohan Pokhrel for their cooperation to make this seminar a
success event. We are grateful to our staff Ajit Shah and Prakash Shrestha; volunteers Chandan Pandit;
Avash Poudel; Diwas Dahal; Merina Khadka; and Pragati Tuladhar, former intern of the Ramsar Secretariat.
We express our hearty thanks to Mr. Guru Prashad Subedi, Local Development Officer of Kaski district; Mr.
Yogendra Basnet, Executive Director of Pokhara Urban Development Committee; Mr Ganesh Bhattarai,
former member of NTB; Mr. Juddha Gurung, Member Secretry of NTNC; Ms. Indrakala Baral,
Mr.Damodar Tripathi and Mr. Puspa Koiral of AMC who were very instrumental for organizing field trip in
Pokhara. We greatly acknowledge to the community people of Rupa lake who were very friendly with our
international delegates while sharing their learning of lake conservation.

Finally, our special thanks go to Excellency President and Honorable Prime minister for their encouraging
remarks on the conservation of Hhimalayan lakes whilst their audience to international delegates. Our thanks
go to Mr. Shailendra Pokhrel, coordinator of NLCDC, for facilitating the program from the very beginning,
and to Mr. Madhukar Khadka for the preparing this report.

…………………
Ramanand Pandit
Member Secretary and Executive Director
National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC)

Acknowledgments III
Acronyms

AMC Action in Mountain Community MFSC Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation
APHA American Public Health Association MoE Ministry of Environment
ASSESS- Assessment System to Evaluate the NAST National Academy of Science and
HKH Ecological Status of Rivers in the Hindu Technology
Kush-Himalayan Region NEC National Environment Council, Bhutan
AWI Asian Wetland Inventory NGOs Non Governmental Organizations
AWWA American Water Works Association NLCDC National Lake Conservation and
BCAS Bangladesh Center for Advance Studies Development Committee
CAP-NET Capacity Building for Integrated Water NLCP National Lake Conservation Programme
Resource Management NORAD Norwegian Agency for Development
CBD Convention on Bio-Diversity Cooperation
CCB Citizen Community Boards NTB Nepal Tourism Board
CEC Commission of European Community NTFPs Non-Timber Forest Products
CME Collage of Military Engineering NTNC National Trust for Nature Conservation
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand PES Payment for Ecosystem Service
CPCB Central Pollution Control Board RED Regional Economy and Development
CSUWN Conservation and Sustainable Use of RGOB Royal Government of Bhutan
Wetlands in Nepal RLRFC Rupa Lake Restoration and Fisheries
DDC District Development Committee Cooperative
DNPWC Department of National Park and Wildlife SAARC South Asian Association Regional
Conservation Corporation
DSC Department of Soil Conservation SACEP South Asia Cooperative Environment
Programme
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
SERI Shrishti Eco-Research Institute
GEF Global Environmental Facility
SGP/UNDP Small Grants Programme, United Nations
GLOF Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
Development Programme
GPS Global Positioning System
SUFEREC Student forum for forestry research &
IAAB Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists
environment conservation
IAAB Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists
SVDP Soon Valley Development Program
ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated
TMI The Mountain Institute
Mountain Development
TU Tribhuvan University
ILBM-G Integrated Lake Basin Management -
UNEP United Nations Environmental
Global
Programme
ILEC International Lake Environmental
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific
Committee
and Cultural Organization
IPFC Indo-Pacific Fisheries Commission
US United State
IPM Integrated Pest Management
USES United South End Settlements
IUCN International Union for Conservation of
USES Urban System with Ecological Security
Nature
VDC Village Development Committees
IWRB Integrated Water Resource Bangladesh
WEF Water Environment federation
IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management
WHO World Health Organization
JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency
WWF World Wildlife Fund
JMC Janapriya Multiple Campus
LCA Lake Conservation Authority
LRCM Lake - River Catchment Management

Acronyms IV
Integrated Lake Basin Management and
Governance
Globally, lakes cover 100,000 km3 of earth surface and
over 90 percent of earth's freshwater - either in natural or
artificial form. Lakes, wetlands and reservoirs are ‘lentic’
system i.e. standing water. A lake basin can be
characterized as a complex combination of both flowing
and standing waters because lakes usually have both
inflowing and out flowing characteristics. Lakes provide
many uses for sustainable human livelihoods and
economic development while serving as essential habitat
for a great variety of flora and fauna. Because of unique
characteristics (i.e., integrating nature; long water
retention time; and complex response dynamics), lake
systems are much more vulnerable to stresses and more
difficult to manage.
All lakes undergo various transformations through time
due to natural processes of aging caused by climatic,
hydrologic and ecosystem changes. However, the greatest
degradation impacts to lakes and reservoirs are caused by
human interventions. The resource values of a lake and its
basin may be degraded by a number of cases triggered by
resource development activities. The global experience of
lake basin management encompasses a wide variety of
lessons. Some are at early stage of resource development
and the resulting degradation of their environments is
minimal. Others have been overexploited and their
ecological services functions are suffering from serious
degradation. And still others have been introduced with
measures for achieving sustainable resource development,
use and conservation. Regardless, the way in which the
stress is exerted from the basin to the lentic body of lake
water is the same, and a common and integrated approach
is needed to address these wide ranging issues in lake
basin management. As example, the GEF- LBMI Project
conducted in 28 lakes by ILEC and summarized the
experiences from the management of 28 lakes.
Importance of Basin Approach: Management does not
stop at the lakeshore, but must extend into the basin, and
often beyond. The largest number of lake issues reported
in the project originated from their upstream or
downstream basins.
Border Barriers (Transboundary Lakes) Must be
Overcome: In principle, transboundary lakes are more
difficult to manage. In practice, however, there is good
progress in establishing agreed plans of action and
institutions.
Technological Interventions Can be Effective:
Technologies can have dramatically positive effects on
lakes, provided the root causes of their problems and their
sustainability are properly addressed.
Success Depends Heavily on Stakeholder
Involvement: Degradation of the ecosystem services
provided by lakes results from unsustainable human
interventions for resource development. Sustainability
can be best achieved when the respective stakeholders
fully understand and appreciate their respective roles
regarding the problems.
Long-term Commitment is Essential: The long water
retention time and complex dynamics of lakes means that
successful project outcomes are seldom immediate. Thus,
there is a need for indicators that illustrate both planning
(Process Indicators), implementation (Stress Reduction
Indicators) and actual lake basin improvements
(Environmental Status Indicators).
Monitoring Should Not be Overlooked: Long-term
monitoring data sets can form the basis for mutual
understanding of Lake Basin management issues, thereby
leading to cooperative actions to address them.
Lake Basin Management is a Continuing Process not a
One-time Project: Management interventions at a lake
basin usually first happen in isolation, often for non-lake
related reasons. Through time, however, the need for the
integration of projects can grow.
After the experiences learned from the GEF Project
highlight these issues and suggest ways to achieve
sustainable use of lakes and their resources, including
ILBM as lake basin governance framework that involves:
1. Institutions: To manage the lake and its basin for the
benefit of all lake basin resource uses;
2. Policies: To govern people’s use of lake resources
and their impacts on lakes;
3. Participation: Involvement of people central to lake
basin management;
4. Technology: Technological possibilities and
limitations exist in almost all cases;
5. Information: Knowledge both of a traditional and
scientific nature is valuable; and
6. Finance: Sustainable finances to fund all of the
above activities are essential.
ILBM is a conceptual framework for assisting Lake Basin
managers and stakeholders. It takes into account the
biophysical features of as well as managerial
requirements for lake basin systems, that are associated
with the lentic (standing or static) water properties of
lakes as well as the inherent dynamics between humans
and nature in the process of development, use and
conservation of lake and basin resources.
ILBM is not a prescriptive planning procedure. Rather, it
is a compilation of the lessons learned from lake basin
management experiences globally synthesized to address
complex planning issues using a basin governance
framework. Since it is a product of compilation and
synthesis, ILBM will continue to evolve as we continue
to learn more from other lake basin management
experiences, and from other perspectives of governance
that have not yet been adequately reflected. Continuous
efforts will be needed to further expand, and refine, the
concept of ILBM for it to have significant impacts on the
future of lakes and other water bodies facing serious
threats of degradation, particularly from human activities
within their basins.
ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes
Lake conservation in Nepal formally kicked off in Nepal
after the establishment of NLCDC in 2006 corresponding
to the National Wetlands Policy (2003), and ILBM
became as principle management guidelines after Nepal's
participation in 12th World Lake Conference in 2007.
Since then, Nepal has been presenting her learning from
ILBM implementation in Hyderabad workshop (India,
2008), ILBM-G Review meeting (Japan, 2009),
Bangladesh (2009), sequential ILBM-India workshop
(India, 2009), Wuhan (China, 2009) and Malaysia (2010).
In a course of ILMB implementation, NLCDC has been
extending technical and financial supports to over 80
lakes in different parts of the countries. It has been
Note: Contents here are copied from "How can We Stop Degradation of the World's Lake Environments?" and
brochure of the National Seminar on "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes" March 26-29, 2010.
engaged in strengthening lake governance for conserving
9 lakes in Kaski district, and Jagadishpur Reservoir and
Buddi lake in Kapilvastu districts. Designating process
of lake-cluster of Pokhara valley in the Ramsar list almost
has been accomplished technical works, and finally the
National Lake Conservation Strategy has come up in a
final stage of government approval.
Nepal's lakes are Himalayan nature. They are the Asian
water towers supporting conventional agrarian socio-
economy and complex ethnic society; and forming
religio-cultural foundation for the Hindus, Buddhist and
other communities. However, these lakes are subjected to
different kinds of threats associated with human and
natural causes. Their sustainable conservation is urgent to
serve human civilization since they are sources of
freshwater supply to billions of people; they are the gene
pools of nationally and globally significant biodiversity;
they are sternum of the national economy, religio-culture
and ecotourism.
The Himalayan lakes cross its political boundary beyond
Nepal to China, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, and
Afghanistan. Any conservation measures that are being
prescribed for lake management also need to follow this
geographical connectivity across these nations. Hence,
Nepal has been proposing for the regional importance of
HLCI in Bangladesh, China and Malaysia in different
lake events in 2009, and now through the participation of
international delegates from Japan, Bhutan, India,
Pakistan, the Philippines and Nepal in a National Seminar
on ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes
(March 26 - 29, 2010). This seminar has come up with
some conclusive remarks; one of these is the recognition
of having a focal point for the sustainable conservation of
the Himalayan lakes.
HLCI now has a long journey to go, and the success of it
depends on national, regional and international
cooperation and coordination. ILEC as has been
promoting ILBM also has comparative advantage of
functionalizing HLCI in the Region.
- Shailendra Pokharel
- Madhukar Khadka
Technical Session-I:
Genesis of ILBM and its Global Learning
Chaired by Prof. Dr. Madan Koirala
Asst. Dean, Tribhuvan University
 Paper 1
Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM-G) Indian component
Dr. M. S. Kodarkar

Secretary, IAAB, Hyderabad, India

Member, Scientific Committee [Sci-Com], ILEC, Japan
www.iaabonline.org, aquabiol@gmail.com,
kodarkar_mohan@yahoo.com, aquabiol@gmail.com

Introduction Why Focus on Lakes?

The ILBM-G initiative in India began with an
International workshop held in August 2008 at
Hyderabad which was followed by three initiatives at
Bhopal, Udaipur and Pushkar in August 2009. The Ujjani
Lake in Maharashtra was the first to be covered under
ILBM initiative of 2008 and the case study was presented
at Global ILBM meet held in Japan in 2009. The Ujjani
lake case study had attracted a great deal of International
attention and could serve as a template for similar
initiatives in the country. Particularly, Jal Dindi
component of Ujjani lake ILBM was very much
appreciated and is included as a training module in the
International Training programme conducted by Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
(www.ilec.or.jp).
As a part of Integrated Lake Basin Management - Global
(ILBM-G), a project financially supported by Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, and Science and Technology,
Japan, and Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists
(IAAB), Hyderabad, in collaboration with International
Lake Environment Committee (ILEC) and local
organizations had organized three major programmes at
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh); Udaipur (Rajasthan) and
Pushkar-Ajmer (Rajasthan). The objective of this
initiative was to establish an inter-disciplinary, cross-
sectoral platform on which diverse stake holders will
come together to develop a comprehensive conservation
and management plan for long term sustainability of
respective lake ecosystems. The platform in the form of a
lake conservation society (Sarovar samvardhini) will also
serve as the 'think tank' to generate new ideas for
protection of lakes. In future, the concept will be
extended to other lakes and reservoirs in the country
thereby establishing a strong network that will support
overall environmental protection taking lake basin as the
basic unit.
The ILBM platform established at the end of respective
programme will undertake further action to develop a
comprehensive document on each lake. It will try to
integrate traditional wisdom and initiatives from civil
society groups in to action plans already being
implemented/ proposed to be implemented by different
agencies. The three lake ecosystems and their basins
represent diverse geo-graphical, cultural and socio-
economical settings and hold a great potential for
implementation of the six principles of ILBM.
90% of the freshwater available for different human uses;
right from drinking and domestic use to agriculture,
Industry, aquaculture to water for nature, is in the form of
lentic water (standing water) in the lakes. Lake, in the
present context, is a term used for all kind of ecosystems
like natural lakes, man-made reservoirs and
impoundments created taking advantage of topographical
features. Even the rivers are so heavily impounded that in
most of the year they are chains of reservoirs. That is why
as far as freshwater is concerned Lakes become focal
points for better governance.
Defining a Lake
Any lake, fresh, brackish or marine; natural, artificial or
man-made, has three basic attributes; well defined basin
also called catchment or watershed, the area from where
rain water flows in to the second attribute called the lake
proper and downstream command area that receives
water from the lake.
Why Focus on Basin?
As stated in the ILEC publication titled - World Lake
Vision: Action reports, a lake is refection of its basin as
the latter has direct influence on the former. The basic
aspect i.e. quality of water ultimately defines range of
goods and services from a lake ecosystem on which man
depends.
Integrated Lake Basin Management ILBM
Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) is a way of
thinking that assists Lake Basin managers and
stakeholders in achieving sustainable management of
lakes and their basins. It takes into account that lakes
have a great variety of resource values whose sustainable
development and use require special management
considerations for their lentic (static) water properties. In
final analysis, good basin management underlines
continuous improvement of Lake Basin governance that
integrates institutions, policy, participation, science,
technology and funding. In the light of fast degradation
all over the world improvement of the state of lakes can
be realized by promoting ILBM.
The six basic pillars of ILBM comprehensively help and
address the issues of good governance. The task of ILBM
has assumed greater urgency in view of global climate
change and emerging issues associated with population
growth, water intensive life styles and agriculture and
large scale deterioration of water quality visible in all
types of aquatic environments.
ILBM also offers a common platform for diverse stake
holders to discuss issues involved in sustainability and
has a potential to serve as a think tank for generating new
ideas for good governance.
ILBM-G India
Three representative lakes and their basins were
identified for ILBM-G India. They were Bhoj wetlands,
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh; Udaipur lakes, Udaipur,
Rajasthan and Ujjani lake, Found, in Maharashtra.
However, due to unavailable circumstances, Ujjani
programme had to be postponed and replaced by Pushkar-
Annasar, Ajmer, Rajasthan and component. Brain
storming session on:
1
2
4 ILBM- India
1. International Workshop on
ILBM Hyderabad, India
Nov. 2008
ILEC-
ILEC- Managing lakes and their
Bains for sustainable use - 2005
2. ILBM Br ain stor ming session on Bhoj
wetlands, Bhopal 9-9 - 10 th Aug., 2009
4 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
I. BHOJ WETLANDS, BHOPAL, MADHYA
RADESH, INDIA
Introduction
The Upper and Lower Lakes named after the legendary
king, Raja Bhoj as the Bhoj wetlands, are ecological
landmarks on the map of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya
Pradesh, India. Of the two, the lizard shaped larger Upper
lake is situated on the South-West side of the City, while
much smaller Lower lake looks like it’s protruding
tongue (Fig.1). Historically, the hilly terrain and
undulating topography of Bhopal was ideal for
conservation of surface water and the two impoundments
symbolize ancient wisdom of rulers who had built these
two impoundments on the river Kolans.
The Bhoj wetland is a designated Ramsar site (November
2002) and the two lakes (Upper and Lowe lake) are also
one of the two case studies; other being Chilika (Orissa),
included in the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
sponsored International initiative on Lake Basin
Management (www.ilec.or.jp). A comprehensive
conservation plan titled Bhoj Wetland Project was
implemented with financial support from Japan Bank for
International Cooperation (JBIC) since re-designated as
the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The
Bhoj wetland represents a typical impoundment with
multiple goods and services and its conservation and
3
7 management experiences are most valuable for future of
5
lake conservation and sustainable management in India
6
1. Pushkar [Rajasthan] and South Asia.
2. Udaisagar [Rajasthan]
3. Bhoj wetlands [MP]
4. Ujjani lake [Maharashtra]
5. Nath sagar [Maharashtra]
6. Hussainsagar [AP] and
ILBM essentially is a dynamic and continuous process.
7. Chilika [Orissa] Present ILBM programme in the form of a brain storming
session followed by a filed visit was planned for
reviewing the status of lakes and issues in their
sustainable management. Apparently basin urbanization
ILEC/Lake Net Lake Basin
Management Initiative
3. Int Wor kshop on Udairpur lakes
12 th Aug. 2009
and chemical based agriculture in the vast rural catchment
1 - 4 th Sept 2003
of the lakes are twin environmental issues. In lake
activities and ever spreading urban settlements around the
lake are other issues of concern.
ILEC WLV Action Repor ts
2007
Lower Lake
ILBM-
ILBM - G Upper Lake
Indian component
4. Consutative meeting on Pushkar
and Anasagar , PushkarAjmer , India
ILBM Networ k
of South Asia -
2010
ILBM Analysis

ILBM Needs Improved "Lake Basin Governance" by Integrating Six Basic Pillars

Madhya Pradesh is one of the few states which have established an independent
Lake Conservation Authority (LCA) to look after conservation and management of
1. Institutions
lake resources of the state. However, the authority needs to be further empowered
and funded to undertake long term projects and action plans.
Basin management being a dynamic process, policies needs to be dynamic as new
challenges emerge in short and long time spans. Policy frame work for developing a
2. Policies synergy between rural catchment and urban lake area needs to be developed. This
will prevent future environmental degradation from developments in the basin of
Upper lake.
An ILBM platform in the form of Bhoj Sarovar Samvardhini BSS - is proposed t
ensure stake holders participation at every level of conservation and management
3. Participation
programmes on Bhopal lakes. The Lake interpretation centre on Upper lake needs
face lift and advertisement.
Organic farming, silt trapping through Gabbian structures and aforestation is being
successfully implemented in the rural catchemnt of upper lake. Impact of tourism
4. Technologies needs to be monitored carefully. The I and D work needs further extension to newly
developing areas around the lake. Eco-technologies need to be implemented to
compliment technological interventions already in place.
Barkatullah University if the first to introduce Limnology in the country and vast
5. Knowledge and knowledge base generated through research need to be translated in to
information implementable actions at the ground level. Similarly eco-technologies need to be
integrated in to technological interventions already in place.
Actions implemented on the basis of ILBM generate a lot of goods and services
improving overall economy of the lake basin. However, sustaining smooth flow of
these benefits require committed finances for a variety of follow-up actions. Ways
6. Finance
and means need to be developed to generate finances from beneficiaries and
Governments. The letter needs to make budgetary provisions for sustaining benefits
out of ILBM.

II. International Workshop on UDAIPUR
LAKES, UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN
(12th August 2009)
Jheel Sanrakshan Samiti (Lake Conservation Society),
113, Chetak Marg, Udaipur, 313001Rajasthan
Introduction
As a part of ILBM-G programme in India the
International workshop on Udaipur lakes was organized
at Udaipur on 12th August 2009. Udaipur (24 35’ latitude
& 73 42’ longitude, Attitude of 578 meters above MSL
the historical lake city has inter-connected ten lakes; three
lakes in upper catchment area (Lake Badi, Chhota Madar
& Bada Madar), six lakes (Lake Pichhola, Fateh Sagar,
Swaroop Sagar, Rang Sagar, Kumharia Talab, Goverdhan
Sagar) within municipal limits and one (Lake Udai Sagar)
in the downstream. In addition to this there are 100 small
lakes like Roopsagar, Nela, Jogi Ka Talab etc. The
Udaipur lakes impounded on the river Berach (Banas
Basin) and its tributaries is an integral component of the
upper Berach basin, a part of the Gangetic river system.
The city lakes symbolizing traditional water wisdom of
this region have great tourist potential, however, also are
under negative developmental pressure from basin
activities and present workshop provided a common
platform for diverse stake holder communities to discuss
short and long term strategies for long term sustainability
of lake ecosystems.

Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM-G) Indian Component 5

ILBM Analysis

ILBM Needs Improved "Lake Basin Governance" by integrating six basic pillars

Better co
co-operation, co-ordination
ordination and integrating outlook between
1. Institutions Municipal/Governmental departments/ organizations will be basic to success of
management actions.
Inter-basin
basin transfer of water from Sabermati basin is identified as a solution for
2. Policies
environmental problems of Udaipur lakes.
A strong civil society movement in the form of Jheel Samrakshan Samiti JSS is
actively pursuing the cause of lake
lake protection and conservation. Stake holders groups,
3. Participation farmers dependent on Udaisagar are active in the movement for lakes and there is a
need of integrating their efforts in the conservation and management programmes
being implanted.
Sewagege regulation, Interception and Diversion of sewage and regulation of Inter-lake
Inter
flow of water is already implemented. However, there is a need of implementing 'in
4. Technologies
lake' actions like aeration/ozonization, fish culture and weed control. Solid waste
manageme needs a priority.
management
Findings from research being carried out by professional/educational institutions needs
5. Knowledge and
to be implanted in the form of executable ground level actions for maintaining
information
ecological health of the lakes.
The conservation programmes are being funded by Ministry of Environment and
Forests - MOEF - through National Lake Conservation Programme - NLCP. However,
6. Finance planning for post-project
post project sustenance of implemented actions will be the real challenge.
Budgetary
udgetary allocation of funds for annual maintenance of lakes could be a strong
measure for long term conservation of lakes.

III. LAKES OF AJMER, RAJASTHAN, INDIA
Introduction
The Ajmer district is located in the central part of
Rajasthan, India. The water resources in this district can
be grouped in two categories based on their topography;
lakes of Pushkar falling in Pisangan block and Ajmer
lakes in Srinagar block. The area is bounded by North
latitudes 260 24' 40": 260 32' 43" and East Longitudes 740
31' 40": 74040' 36" (Survey of India Indi Topo-sheet no.
45J/10, 45J/11). The area is characterized by undulating
topography marked by scattered hillocks and a hill range
in the central part trending in NE-SW
NE direction.
The basins of six
ix lakes are divided by NE-SW
NE trending
hill range acting as a surface and ground water divide.
West of the hill range are Pushkar, Madhya pushkar and
Budha pushkar, whereas at east of hill range are
Foysagar, Anasagar and Visalsar. The elevation of the
plain
in in the Western part varies from 512 to 475 masl
sloping towards North West in the western part and South
West in the northern part .The central part of the area
have elevation from 520 to 452 masl and slopes from the
south west to the north east direction.
directi

The Lake Basins of Anasagar and Pushkar Birds eye view of Pushkar lake in good times

Anasagar Lake
Puskar Lake

6 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29,
26 2010
ILBM Needs Improved "Lake Basin Governance" by Integrating Six Basic Pillars

A perfect coordination and cooperation between different Government agencies

1. Institutions
2. Policies
3. Participation
4. Technologies
5. Knowledge and
information
6. Finance
having jurisdiction on the lake is basin for any coordinated conservation intervention.
A lake based authority on the line of Budha Purnima Project Authority (BPPA) in the
case of Hussainsagar lake in Hyderabad can be created to look after the three lakes
including Foy sagar ad Visalsar.
Basin management being a dynamic process, policies needs to be dynamic as new
challenges emerge in short and long time spans. Policy frame work for developing a
synergy between rural/fast urbanizing catchment and urban lake area needs to be
developed. This will prevent future environmental degradation from developments in
the basin of the lake.
An ILBM platform in the form of Anasagar Sarovar Samvardhini is proposed to
ensure stake holders participation at every level of conservation and management
programmes.
Organic farming, silt trapping through Gabbian structures and aforestation needs to
be implemented in the rural catchemnt areas.
A minimum 100 meters bio-conservation zone needs to be created around Anasagar
to prevent urban impacts.
Impact of recreation/tourism on the lake needs to be monitored.
The Interception and Diversion (I & D) of sewage from up-land urban settlement with
proper sewage treatment. -
Eco-technologies need to be implemented to compliment technological interventions
already in place.
A lake information centre/ lake interpretation centre needs to be established to create
awareness about benefits from lakes.
Actions implemented on the basis of ILBM generate a lot of goods and services
improving overall economy of the lake basin. However, sustaining smooth flow of
these benefits requires committed financial support for a variety of follow-up actions.
Ways and means need to be developed to generate finances for maintenance of the
lake. The budgetary provision for annual maintenance of lake is most important. .

IV. PUSHKAR LAKES: Rajasthan
PUSHKAR LAKE
Reverence to nature is hall mark of Indian civilization.
With perfect understanding of the relationship between
man and nature, in the nature worship water and lakes
have a special place. Innumerable temple tanks all over
South Asia are testimony to this harmonious relationship
between water and human welfare.
Pushkar holds a special significance in Hindu religion and
culture. On the banks of the lake is situated the only one
temple dedicated to Lord Brahma the creator. In the
Hindu trinity the concept of creation, sustenance and
dissolution is symbolized by three deity's viz. Brahma
(Creator), Vishnu (Sustainer) and Shiva (Dissolution0.
While, there are innumerable temples dedicated to Vishnu
and Shiva but there is only one temple dedicated to the
creator i.e. Brahma on the banks of the lake Pushakar.
Thus, Pushkar is one of the holiest places visited by
thousands and thousands of pilgrims and tourists
throughout the year.
The lake is basically a temple tank bound from all sides.
Limnologically a tank or reservoir is often described as
disabled lake and needs management interventions for its
sustenance of its water quality. The Basin of Pushkar
Lake in good monsoon year is estimated to be 23.084
km2. There are three main streams Viz., Gori nadi
(presently known as Kharkheri feeder originating from
the villege of that name), Pushkar nadi (Pushkar feeder)
originating from Nag pahar hill and Savitri pahar nala
(channel) originating from Pahari pahad (hill).

Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM-G) Indian Component 7

ILBM needs improved "Lake Basin Governance" by integrating six basic pillars

A coordination and cooperation between different administrative wings of state

1. Institutions
government can make a big difference in the lake governance
- Regulation of change in land use pattern to maintain basin character is basic to
protection of a lake.
- The basin is rural with vast agriculture and policies on application of chemicals and
fertilizers are very vital for water quality of the lake.
2. Policies
- A policy for development of a synergy between pre-dominantly rural basin and the
lake communities is necessary.
- A 1000 meters Bio-conservation zone needs to be created around the lake with
plantation of multiple plants species resistant to drought like conditions.
- To reorient agriculture based on limited water and regulation on exploitation of
ground water need cooperation of rural communities.
- The lake dependent communities need to extend their cooperation in maintaining
3. Participation the lake.
- A platform for cross-community dialogue in the form of Pushkar Sarovar
Samvardhini needs to be created to speared awareness and evolve conservation
plans based on developing environmental challenges.
- Organic farming, silt trapping through Gabion structures and aforestation needs top
priority. Technologies (like tissue culture) to protect and propagate local plant gene
pool to ensure productivity of marketable agricultural goods is vital for
supplementing income of farmers.
4. Technologies
- Bottom scaping of lake for better protection of biodiversity.
- Aeration of water to recycle organic load on the lake.
- Treatment of water and bottom to prevent evaporative water loss and loss of water
by percolation in to the ground.
- Traditional colourful arts and crafts need to be brought in to awareness creation.
5. Knowledge and - An annual lake festival can make a big difference in understanding significance of
information the water resource.
- A Pushkar lake information centre can be established.
- Proper utilization of funds channeled for different rural development schemes needs
to be ensured through participatory management and application of Information
6. Finance technology.
- The Pushkar municipality needs to make budgetary allocation of funds for
maintenance of the lake.

Lessons learned Indian ILBM Experience has

brought out following Aspects
1. ILBM as civil society initiative has potential to
influence decision making and implantation
processes in the water sector: Ujjani ILBM has
initiated discussion in Go, NGO sector
2. ILBM acts as a trigger for Public Private Initiatives
for conservation and management of water resources:
Udaysagar conservation project after ILBMG
workshop in Udaipur
3. ILBM offers an integrated platform for diverse stake
holders to deliberate on conservation issues in water
sector: Brain storming session on Bhoj wetland has
initiated processes in Lake Development authority,
University and NGOs
4. ILBM has a potential to involve stake holders in
good governance in water: Lake Conservation and
management societies being established in many
places
To sustain the momentum generated an ILBM network of
South Asia being established soon
Way Ahead
We would like to build a South Asia network of ILBM.
To begin with major and important lakes and reservoirs in
India will be covered with focal points and an ILBM team
that will act as a think tank, civil society platform for
inter-disciplinary, cross sectoral dialogue with lake and
its basin as inclusive concept.
The lakes and reservoirs in South Asian countries will be
covered as ILBM work progresses and ultimately an
independent apolitical platform - ILBM South Asia - will
be established to work for sustainable management of
precious aquatic resources crucial for water secure future
for countries in the region.

8 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
 Paper 2
Women in ILBM: The Laguna de Bay Experience
Adelina C. Santos-Borja

Chief, Research and Development, Head of Carbon Finance Unit

Laguna Lake Development Authority, Club Manila East Compound, Taytay Rizal, Philippines

Scientific Committee Member

International Lake Environment Committee Foundation
Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan

1. Introduction eutrophication, siltation and sedimentation of the lake and

Laguna de Bay is the largest and most economically
significant lake in the Philippines. It is a multiple use
resource although at present its dominant use is for
fisheries. In the past ten years, it is gaining more
importance as a source of domestic water supply for the
Metropolitan Manila area.
The whole basin comprising of the 900 km2 and the
2,920 km2 watershed is strategically located in the heart
of Metro Manila and the Provinces of Rizal and Laguna.
The wider Laguna de Bay Region covers an area of 3880
km2 which consists of 66 Local Government Units
(LGUs) grouped into 5 provinces, 14 cities and 47
municipalities of which 29 are located along the
lakeshore. The total human population is around 6 million
and is rapidly expanding at a rate of about 2.2 %. The
deforestation rate in the watershed was estimated to be
0.7% per annum.
Figure 1. Map of the Laguna de Bay Basin
loss of biodiversity. These have posed as a continuous
challenge to Integrated Lake Basin Management.
2. Management Challenges and Response
The daunting task of managing the lake basin is lodged
with the Laguna Lake Development Authority, which so
far is the only lake basin management authority in the
Philippines. It has four major programs to mitigate the
degradation of the watershed and to improve the water
quality of the lake.
Environmental Management Program
The major component of this program is the regulation of
wastewater effluent discharges into the receiving waters
that eventually drain into the lake.
In 1997 the Environmental User Fee System was
implemented primarily to reduce the pollution loading
into the lake. It was designed to integrate and harmonize
the command and control approach (CAC) and economic
instruments to improve environmental enforcement and
compliance to the effluent quality standards by industrial
establishments. In essence, the EUF system makes it
more expensive for the firm to pollute the environment
than to properly treat their wastewater (refer to ILEC
website
http://wldb.ilec.or.jp/ILBMTrainingMaterials/module5.ht
ml)

The LLDA also maintains its water quality monitoring

program both for ambient and point sources of pollution.
Data on the water quality of the lake and tributary rivers
are continuously generated since the early seventies.

Fisheries Management Program

The lake basin is extremely threatened by rapid economic
development, increasing population and widespread
urban sprawl, land use conversion, the introduction of
exotic and invasive species as well as uncoordinated and
conflicting policies of different agencies that exercise
their mandate on the lake and its watershed. These have
caused negative impacts both on the aquatic and
terrestrial ecosytem such as increase inputs of pollutants
from agricultural, industrial, and domestic sources,
Fisheries regulation, particularly aquaculture operation is
based on the Zoning and Management Plan or ZOMAP.
So far, this is the most feasible management system for
the equitable allocation of the lake’s fishery resource.
Fishcage and fishpen belts were delineated with a total
area of 150 km2. Permit to own and operate an
aquaculture structure is governed by the implementing
rules and regulations of the ZOMAP (ILEC newsletter,
1998, No.32 ISSN 0912-7410)
Shoreland Management Program
The shoreland covers a total area of 140 km2. It took the
LLDA almost 30 years to assert its mandate on the
regulation of activities and developments in the shoreland
due to manpower and financial constraints and priorities
of the top management of the LLDA. Thus, development
activities have overtaken regulation and control. The very
challenging task of exercising its mandate started in 1995
and through the years the LLDA has issued rules and
regulations on the use and occupancy of shoreland areas.
At present, the presence of informal settlers is still the
biggest obstacle and is the most difficult problem facing
the LLDA due its socio-economic and political nature.
Watershed Management Program
Reforestation of the Watershed
With an estimated deforestation rate of 0.7% per annum,
stronger partnership with the Local Government Units,
the NGO’s and the private sector was forged by the
LLDA to sustain the reforestation efforts in the
watershed. A nursery was put up in the LLDA Office in
Laguna Province which provides upon request seedlings
consisting of fruit bearing trees and forest trees. In 2008,
planting of bamboo species was advocated by LLDA both
for environmental protection and livelihood to lessen the
dependence of upland communities on timber and
non-timber forest products for livelihood.
Creation of the River Rehabilitation and Protection
Council
The water quality of most tributary rivers, particularly
those that drain into the West Bay of the lake are in worse
condition. In 1996 a River Rehabilitation and Protection
Council (RRPC) is created in each subwatershed to
encourage broad multi-sectoral involvement and support
in river clean-up activities and to establish a mechanism
for sustained stakeholder participation. The members
consist of representatives from the local government,
academic institutions, industrial and commercial
establishments, religuous groups, non-government
organizations and civic orgnaizations. From a mere
physical clean-up of the rivers, a systematic approach is
being followed which includes mapping of the watershed,
comprehensive survey of the river system and its
watershed and the development of a vision for a healthy
river system and watershed. Based on their vision, they
formulate a River Rehabilitation and Protection Plan. The
River Councils was institutionalized in 1999 by the
LLDA’s Board of Directors and was provided by a seed
money to support activities. Each council was registered
in the Philippine’s Secuties and Exchange Commission as
a non-profit organization and was later federated into a
network organization in June 2001 wherein the members
elected the first set of officers among themselves.
10 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
3. Women as co-managers
Women play a very important role in the different
environmental programs of the LLDA. Within the
institution are female managers and supervisors of
various disciplines working collectively in regulating the
use of the lake’s resources, mitigation of greenhouse gas
emissions, community development and empowerment of
River Councils, water quality monitoring, policy making
and implementation of environmental laws.
As stakeholders, women are at the forefront of
environmental projects implemented through
non-governmental organizations, civic organizations and
cooperatives.
Environmental Awareness and River Clean-up
The Federation of River Basin Foundation in the Laguna
de Bay Region, which is the umbrella organization of all
the River Councils, is in the forefront of the rehabilitation
of the major tributary rivers of Laguna de Bay under the
leadership of its President, Mrs. Lina Lutgardo Tanjuatco.
Aside from river clean ups, the Federation also play a
very important role as conduit of knowledge and services
for the different sectors in the community. By engaging the
latter, environmental awareness activities and livelihood
activities are conducted through seminars and actual
demonstrations such as those dealing with solid waste
management, better appreciation and understanding of
environmental laws and different rules and regulations
being implemented by the LLDA and the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The
Federation as well as the individual River Councils are
also engaged by the LLDA in organizing environmental
action planning among the different community
representatives in a subwatershed or in a particular city or
town. They are also engaged in LLDA’s public disclosure
programs and in the assessment of the performance of
each Local Government Unit and industrial
establishments with in the Laguna de Bay Region.
Figure 2. River Council Officer conducting a Seminar
on Solid Waste Management
Aside from their participation in the LLDA’a Annual
Learning Forum for Stakeholders, the Federation also
organize a conference every year which serve as the
venue for different River Councils to update each other
on their current activities, plans and programs, learn from
their experience, and acquire new or more knowledge on
topics of interest and concern geared towards enhancing
their capabilities to perform their tasks.
Livelihood through the 3Rs –reduce, reuse, recycle
One of the success stories on the 3R’s is that of the
KILUS Foundation. The name stands for Kababaihang
Iisa ang Layuning Umunlad ang Sambayanan which
directly means women with one goal to improve the lives
of the citizenry.
Figure 3. KILUS Foundation Officials at the
show-room of their recycled products
The organization started in Barangay Ugong, Pasig City
(a barangay is the smallest local government unit in the
Philippines) as a civic group involved in the
beautification and waste management in their
neighborhood. The awards and recognition they received
both from the national and local government and from
other cause-oriented groups served as an incentive to
explore other avenues in line with their goals. Kilus is
now a duly registered all-women environmental
multi-purpose cooperative with a membership base of
500 individuals. They became famous in the production
of novelty items such as handbags, belt bags, hats,
slippers, etc. out of discarded doy packs (packaging
material for fruit juices). Almost all the women in the
barangay households are engaged and earning money as
collector of the used doy packs, cleaners and sanitizers,
and sewers. This has further empowered the women
economically without sacrificing their time for their
family and for their household chores since they can do
the work in their own house.
The products of Kilus Foundation (www.kilus.org)
The Women in ILBM: The Laguna de Bay Experience
are now being exported to different countries in Europe
and Asia. Their office is always full of visitors from
different parts of the country and from overseas to learn
about their 3R’s approach for environmental protection
and livelihood, aside from the continuous recognition
they receive from different sectors of government and
society.
Innovative utilization of water hyacinth
The over-abundance of water hyacinth (conveniently
referred to as waterlily) in the lake and in the tributary
rivers is one of the environmental problems in the Laguna
de Bay Region. Community clean-up activities are
organized during extreme infestation of water hyacinth by
engaging men in the manual harvesting of the plant. The
ultimate disposal site has always been a problem and
some resorted to burying them in the ground or putting
them in waste disposal sites. Composting has been tried
but it didn’t gain wide interest and support. In recent
years, enterprising civic group leaders with support from
politicians such as in Paranaque City and in Taguig City,
both located along the West Bay of the lake, revived the
use of water hyacinth for livelihood through the
manufacture of handicraft products such as bags, baskets,
lampshades, containers, slippers, etc. from the dried
stalks.
The harvesting of water hyacinth now became a
demand-driven activity. While the biomass harvested
from the lake may not be very significant, the livelihood
project has provided monetary support not only to the
women but to the men as well. Likewise, it has changed
the outlook of people on water hyacinth from a nuisance
in water ways to a viable resource which could help them
financially.
Figure 4. Dried stalks of water hyacinth as raw
material for handicrafts.
The foregoing information on the involvement of women
in the conservation and management of lakes also
highlighted the engagement of women in all the six
pillars of Integrated Lake Basin Management, namely:
instititution, policy, participation, technology,
information and finance (www.ilec.or.jp)
11
Technical Session-II:
Managing Lake and their Basin
Chaired by Prof. Dr. Mohan S Kodarkar
Scientific Committee Member ILEC
 Paper 3

Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) for the Sustainable Conservation of

Himalayan Lakes of Nepal@
Pokharel Shailendra 1, Nakamura Masahisa 2
1.
Program Coordinator, National Lake Conservation Development Committee, Nepal. P.O.Box: 25253. Tel.: +977-1-4420173. Fax:
+977-1-4421954. e-mail: shailendrapokharel@gmail.com
2.
Chairman of Scientific Committee, ILEC, 1091 Oroshima-cho Kusatsu-shi, Sigha 525-000. Japan. Telep.81-77-568-4567. Fax
+81-77-568-4568, e-mail: masahisa@mub.biglobe.ne.jp

Abstract: Over 5300 Himalayan lakes of Nepal have
different conservation pictures. High mountain lakes in
Nepal are virgin in terms of human intervention. Lakes in
mid-hill and Terai are subjected to different kinds of
pressures that have impacts on degradation and loss of
habitat, loss of ecological integrity, and depletion of
species abundance and diversity. An alarming problem
that the Himalayan lakes are facing is climate change -
over 26 lakes of Nepal are under threats due to GLOF.
Their conservation is urgent since they are sources of
freshwater to billions of people; maintain gene pools of
nationally and globally significant biodiversity; yardstick
of national economy, religio-culture; and ecotourism; and
the only means of survival for wetlands dependent ethnic
community of Nepal. ILBM is a globally accepted
management tool propounded by ILEC which NLCDC
see very applicable to address the Himalayan issues.
NLCDC has been implementing ILBM from the
development of strategic framework of lake conservation
to Lake Inventory and execution of lake restoration
programs in Nepal. This paper explains about the
Himalayan lake issues, their global significance, trans-
Himalayan nature, biodiversity values and their threats;
and finally focuses on ILBM application in Rupa Lake,
Pokhara. ILBM helps improving governance through
strengthening policy, institution, practices, finance,
information and technology. Rupa is one of the best
demonstrations of ILBM integration for better lake health
- better livelihoods.
Keywords: Basin, Biodiversity, Conservation,
Governance, Himalayan, Lakes, Wetlands
1. Introduction
At a stretch of 3000 km of eco-regions of the Eastern
Himalaya, in between China and India, Nepal occupies a
space of 1,47,181 km2 (840 4' to 880 12' longitudes and
260 22' to 300 27' latitudes). Nepal's total land area
compares with 0.03 and 0.3 percent of the globe and Asia
respectively. The country has east-west mean length of
885 km, and north-south mean breadth of 193 km.
Altitude varies from 70 m to the Mt. Everest (8848 m) -
the highest peak of the world. The country has an extreme
topography and climate that varies as altitudes vary from
south to north from sub-tropical to tundra. In terms of
physiography, the country characterized with its five
physiographic zones - High Himal, (23%), High
Mountains (20%), Mid-Mountains (30%), Siwalik (13%)
and Terai (14%).
Nepal's National Wetlands Policy (2003) defines
wetlands as "natural or artificially created areas, such as
swamp, marsh, riverine floodplain, lake, water storage
area and agriculture lands containing water from
underground water resources or atmospheric
precipitation that may be permanent or temporary, static
or flowing, and freshwater or saline". This definition
recognizes lake as a type of wetlands. National Lake
Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC) defines
lake in a very loose form as "all kinds of Tal, Talaiya,
Daha, Kunda and Pokhari"1. Nepal is famed for its
biological hotspots and is also enriched with Himalayan
rivers and lakes like 6,000 rivers including, 3,252
glaciers, 2,323 glacial lakes, 23,000 ponds, over 2,700
lakes of ox-bow-types in the Terai and over 480 tectonics
lakes in the middle mountains. Many lakes in high
mountains are of smaller sizes and are often called Kunda
or Pokhari, where as in alluvial flatlands of Terai, they
are Pokhari. These Himalayan lakes are special because
their origin follows diverse topography varying from
subtropical to tundra climate; they are the Asian water
towers; they support conventional agrarian socio-
economy and complex ethnic society; and forms religio-
cultural foundation for the Hindus, Buddhist and other
communities. A total of Nepal's 10 percent of indigenous
and ethnic communities' population of Tharu, Mushar,
Kewat, Dusadh, Mallah, Kumal, Majhi, Danuwar,
Dhangar, Bantar, Darai and Bote have sole dependence
on Himalayan lakes/wetlands resources (Pokharel &
Adhikari 2009). Their sustainable conservation is urgent
to serve human civilization since they are sources of
freshwater supply to billions of people; they are the gene
pools of nationally and globally significant biodiversity;
they are sternum of national economy, religio-culture and
ecotourism; and the only means of wetlands dependent
ethnic community of Nepal.
1
'Tal' is a Nepali terminology that denotes 'lake' in the English.
Similarly 'Talaiya' is a rhetoric form of 'Tal' commonly used together
with 'Tal' as Tal-Talaiya. 'Daha' are water bodies or pockets formed by
rivers in their routes. 'Kunda' means small water pockets especially in
mountain watersheds, and is main source of drinking water supply for
the mountain communities. Several 'Kunda' in Nepal have pertinent
socio-economic-cum-religious values.
@ This paper was presented first in the 13th Global Lake Conference,
Wuahn, China, 2009.
1.1 Nepal’s Himalayan lakes as the Ramsar site
There are of 9 lakes of Nepal designated in the Ramsar
list. They are: the Koshi Tappu (17,500 ha); Beeshazari
Tal (3,200 ha); Jagdishpur Reservoir (225 ha);
Ghodaghodi Tal (2,563 ha), Rara Tal (1,036 ha),
Sheyphoksundo Lake (452 ha), Gokyo Lake Cluster
(42.69 ha), Gosainkunda Lake Cluster (13.80 ha) and Mai
Pokhari. These lakes contribute 0.05 percent of total
coverage of lakes of the global significance.
1.2 Potential Himalayan lakes of international
significance
Table 1 shows potential Himalayan lakes of Nepal of
global significance. Others such lakes are Raja Rani of
Morang district, Jata Pokhari of Ramechhap district, and
lake-cluster of Pokhara valley. Raja Rani is significant
because of habitats of rare orchids, butterflies and origin
place of an ethnic community called Dhimal. Lake-cluster
of the Pokhara valley bears unique geography, and
ecotourism. Chimdi Lake in Sunsari district is biological
hotspots for avifauna, amphibians and reptiles. Jata
Pokhari is well famed for its religio-cultural values.
Azingara Lake in Kapilvastu is renowned for habitats of
wild rice, fishes and amphibians.
1.3 Trans-Himalayan lakes of Nepal2
River systems link Nepal with China, Bangladesh and
India. For examples, Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and
Mahakali are perennial sources of water to downstream
population of Nepal, India and Bangladesh. Any changes
made in glacial features in the Himalaya would also
impacts on ecological behavior of rivers therefore to the
livelihoods of billion of people at downstream India,
Bangladesh and Nepal. Many trans- Himalayan lakes
which are also the sources of rivers Nepal fall in north of
Nepal and are close to the Tibet, their flow in south drains
lesser mountains and mid hills is a common concern of
India & Bangladesh. Table 2 shows trans-boundary
Himalayan lakes of Nepal. Scientific information of some
lakes like Rara, Sheyphosundo, Gosainkunda and Gokiyo
which also are the lakes of global significance is fairly
available. However, comprehensive information requires
exploring in remaining other lakes.
1.4 Himalayan Lake Biodiversity in Nepal
It is believed that 25 percent of Nepal's vascular plant
species are lake/wetland dependent. Of 246 endemic
plants, about 26 species are considered as lake/wetland
dependent (IUCN 2004). Of 91 nationally threatened
plant species, 10 are lake/wetlands dependent including
the Endangered Aconitum balangrense, Crateva
unilocularis, Operculina turpethum and Vulnerable
Alstonia scholaris, Butea monosperma, Neopicrorhiza
scrophulariifolia, Valerina jatamansii, Piper longum,
2
Lakes' water flowing down to the rivers crossing national
borders as main tributaries is considered trans-boundary lakes in
context of Nepal.
16 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
Panax pseudo-ginseng, and Delbergia latifolia. Four
wetlands macrophytes - Spiranthes sinensis, Cyathea
spinulosa, Sphagnum nepalensis, Pandanus nepalensis -
are nationally endangered (Joshi & Joshi 1991). Kobresia
fissiglumis, K. gandakiensis, Pedicularis poluninii, and P.
pseudoregelina from Gokyo, and 9 endemic species from
Gosaikunda lake and bryophytes Sphagnum nepalense
from the Mai Pokhari are reported endemic from different
lakes.
Of 207 mammals of Nepal, the key globally threatened
mammals that are lake/wetlands dependents include the
Critically Endangered Pygmy Hog (Sus salvanius), this
species is believed to be extinct now; wild water buffalo
(Bubalus bubalis), one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros
unicornis) and elephant (Elephas maximus); Vulnerable
Indian smoothed-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata),
and common otter (Lutra lutra), fishing cat (Prionailurus
viverrinus) and Barasingha (Cervus duvaucelii). Nepal
documents 863 species of birds of which 193 species are
lake/wetlands dependent. As many as 39 species of these
are identified as threatened on a national level (Baral et
al. 1996). Table 3 shows 12 species of globally
threatened wetlands birds.
Of total 185 species of fishes of Nepal, 8 are endemic. Of
this, 27 species are reported to be nationally threatened
including Endangered Sahar (Tor putitora), Jalkapoor
(Clupisoma garuwa, Ompak bimaculatus); Vulnerable
Katle (Neolissocheilus hexagonolepis), Patharchatti
(Chagunius chagunio), Zebra (Danio rerio), Asala
(Schizothorax richardsonii), Bucche Asala (S.
plagiostomus), Chuche Asala (Schizothoraicthys
progastus), Rajabam (Anguilla bengalensis); and 17
species listed as Rare. Similalry, Himalyan lakes are
habitats for several herpetofauna including a primitive
amphibian Himalayan Warty Newt (Tylototricton
verrucosus), type locality species Lekali Khashare (Bufo
himalayanus), and endemic species Jhikre Bhayguto
(Limnonetes nepalensis). A little is known about butterfly
diversity, though 64 species of butterflies including an
endemic sub-species Parnassius epaphus and suspected
species Mesoacidalia clara shieldsii to be endemic are
reported from the vicinity of Rara (Khanal 2007).
1.5 Threats to the Himalayan lakes of Nepal
High mountain lakes in Nepal are virgin in terms of
human intervention. However, lakes of the middle
mountain and the Terai are subjected to different kinds of
threats associated with human and natural causes. Lake
encroachment is heavily associated with human activities.
Some other threats are:
Lake drainage, sedimentation and reclamation:
Draining out of water from lakes for dry-season crop
irrigation is widespread in Nepal. Conversion of sites for
aquaculture, road construction, solid-waste disposal,
discharge of sediments, commercial and industrial
development, dam construction, eutrophication etc.
normally accelerate soil reclamation process as in Phewa
Table 1: Potential Himalayan lakes of global importance
Name Location Height (m) Area (ha)
Tilicho lake Annapurna CA 4848 400
Dudh Pokhari Dolpa 4633 32
Jata Pokhari Upper Khimti 3500 24
Jageshwar Kunda Trisuli basin 4380
Surya Kunda Trisuli basin 4609 5
Bhairab Kunda Trisuli basin 4261 17
Panch Pokhari Makalu Barun NP 4971 NA

Table 2: Trans-boundary Himalayan lakes of Nepal

Name Location Height (m) Area (ha)
Rara West Nepal 2990 1036
Gosainkunda Langtang NP 4360 14
Tilicho Annapurna CA 4848 400
Sheyphoksundo Shephoksundo NP 3650 452
Dudh Pokhari Dolpa 4633 32
Jata Pokhari Upper Khimti 3500 24
Jageshwar Kunda Trisuli basin 4380
Surya Kunda Trisuli basin 4609 5
Bhairab Kunda Trisuli basin 4261 17
Gokyo Sagarmatha NP 4734 43
Panch Pokhari Makalu Barun NP 4971 NA

Table 3: Globally threatened Himalayan lake/wetlands dependent birds of Nepal

Common Name Scientific Name Status Common Name Scientific Name Status
Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryophyllacea CE Grey Pelican Pelecanus V
phuilippinensis
Greater-adjutant Leptoptilos dunius E Sarus Crane Grus antigone V
Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica E Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis V
Baikal Teal Anas farmosa V Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis V
Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis V Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus V
Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri V Band-tailed Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus V

lake which shows a decrease in area from 10 km2
(1956/57), to 5.5 km2 (76) and 4.4 km2 (98). There has
been more than 50 percent reduction in area within 5
decades (JICA/SILT 2002). About 69 percent of the Terai
wetlands are threatened by sedimentation.
endemic ungulate species. Dam once combined with
unregulated grazing, over fishing, deforestation,
expansion of settlements, solid waste and sewage
disposal, water harvest etc., further aggravate impacts on
ecological integrity of lakes.

Habitat fragmentation and deforestation: Fate of lakes
depends upon fate of forests. Settlements and agriculture
fields in mid-hills and Terai are made available at the cost
of clearing forests that also has survival impacts on
lakes.. Forests connectivity decreases with increased
habitat fragmentation, thereby creating barriers to wildlife
movements; decreasing safety; reducing food availability;
and enhancing poaching.
Hydro-power development: Hydropower developments
have several positive socio-economic impacts on the
livelihoods; it may have some consequences on the
formation of new lakes. Some anecdotal evidences -
particularly in river basins (Koshi, Karnali, Mahakali) -
showing ecological impacts of hydropower dams on
reducing viable population of aquatic flora, fishes and
ungulates. Nepal has 15 ungulate species dependent on
lake/wetlands. Koshi Tappu, the only site with a viable
population of Asian Wild Buffalo, has lost over half of its
Irrigation: Himalyan lakes are comparatively smaller
water bodies that favor short-cycle irrigation needs, and
require much time to refill water volume. However,
unregulated irrigation alters micro-climate of Lake
Ecosystem by sudden and frequent fluctuation of water
chemistry. Conversion of the Chimdi Lake has displaced
some 200 fisheries family, and has questioned upon the
survival of many potter communities (Gachhadar et al.
2004). Once productive agriculture and marshy fields
around Begans after dam construction is subjected to
rapid conversion into dense suburb and semi-commercial
areas, and high density population of eel fish is no more
in existence.
Agriculture run-off: An estimated 2,600 tons of
pesticides and 1.15 million tons of chemical fertilizers are
dumped annually in the Ganges river system (IUCN
2004). Agriculture-run-off affected 69 percent of

Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) for the Sustainable Conservation of Himalayan Lakes of Nepal 17
lake/wetlands of Nepal's Terai. Impacts are bio-
accumulation in higher-level animals leading to high
concentration of toxic products causing death, sub-lethal
effects and
reduce reproductive capabilities (Pesticide poisoning led
300 people admitted to 10 hospitals in 1992); widespread
occurrence of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome, a disease
caused by the fungus Aphanomyces invadans in fishes
causing their mortality in Koshi Tappu (1983) and
Ghodaghodi lake (1998); lake conversion from
mesotrophic to eutrophic in Koshi Tappu; natural
succession aggravated by overgrowth of macrophytes like
water Hyacinth and Trapa as commonly seen in many
lakes of the Terai and mid-hills.
Sewage Disposal: Himalayan lakes in urban and sub-
urban are commonly treated as sink for the disposal of
untreated domestic sewerage, septic tanks and effluents.
Media reports on concurrence of chronic diarrhea and
dysentery in the Terai often caused by coliform bacteria.
Over 100 numbers of toilets directly exposed into holy
lakes of Janakpur - the Ganga Sagar and Dhanusha Sagar.
The Phewa Lake is reported to have 8X106 coliform per
100 ml (Khatiwada 2008).
Fishing: The trend of fish poisoning with Thiodine and
Phoret is widespread in the Terai including Koshi Tappu
and Ghodghodi Lake. Other mal-practices for fishing
include elctro-fishing, use of small-mesh nets, draining
out of water, and use of explosives. Such practices have
caused a mass killing of aquatic fauna as well as affected
food chain of ecosystem. For example, over-fishing in the
Rupa and Begnas lakes declined the population of sahar
(Tor spp.).
Grazing: Himalayans lakes are subjected to open grazing
for yaks, sheep and goats around in Damodar kunda,
Gokyo, Gosainkunda, (Karki et al 2005, Karki 2007,
Shrestha 2005). Over 12,600 cattle are recorded grazing
along shoreline forests of the Ghodaghodi Lake and some
15,000 to 20,000 in Koshi Tappu, every day. Impacts of
over-grazing in lake shores have resulted soil erosion and
high inputs of nitrogenous nutrients, eutrophication and
over-growth of aquatic macrophytes. Overgrazing also
correlates with livestock health due to poor nutrients,
inadequate food supply and high population pressure,
making livestock exposed to diseases like liver fluke
associated with marshland snails. Such disease when
transmitted as epidemics to wild ungulate causes
extinction of species3 (IUCN 2004).
Climate Change: In Nepal, warming rates increases
progressively with elevations (Liu and Chen 2000;
Shrestha et al. 1999). High warming causes rapid
deglaciation that alters hydrological regime of the river
3 Conservation Development Committee in 2007. This is
Population of Asian Wild Water Buffalo in the Royal Chitwon National
Park in the early 1960s may have become extinct due to diseases
transmitted by domestic cattle and buffaloes brought in by immigrants
settling around the park areas.
18 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
basins such as increase in floods and drought frequency
and magnitude; some time formation of glacial lakes in
the open area around exposed end moraines; and
increases vulnerability of glacial lakes to GLOF. Nepal
already faced 25 GLOF in the past (Shrestha 2007), and
26 glacial lakes have potential threats of the GLOF
including the Tsho Rolpa (largest glacial lakes of Nepal
grew from the area of 0.23 km2 in 1957 to 1.76 km2 in
2006) and the Imja Tsho. Similarly, climate change
pushes forest line towards polar region and their
composition and extinction of species, including bird
species (Baral 2002). Tropical wet forests and warm
temperate rain forests would disappear, and cool
temperate vegetation would turn to warm temperate
vegetation. With the marginal increase in temperature
may prolong dry-crop period in the Terai that may
demand more water for irrigation at the cost of increased
risk on lake conversion and loss of aquatic biodiversity.
2. Conserving the Himalayan lakes of Nepal
Lake conservation gradually evolves in Nepal along with
the issues of forest and biodiversity conservation. Nepal
brought all forests under its suzerainty during the first
three five-year plans (1956-1971) in which high emphasis
were given to improve infrastructure development
(Sharma et al. 2004). Lakes conservation was least
concerned until this period. A notion of environmental
degradation was realized first time with the formation of
new Moore islands in the Bay of Bengal. This concern
was high since silt load transported to the Bay was
evidenced at a high cost of landslides, erosions and floods
associated with intense deforestation in Nepal. Hence,
from 1972 to 1978, Nepal had next priority on forest
management to address environment issues through first
national forestry plan (1976) and community forestry
(1978). This period was important in Nepal because it
became a party of the Ramsar in 1972 and established its
first Ramsar site.
An extent of progresses Nepal made in conservation is
guided through its commitment in international
conventions and treaties like Ramsar (1972); Convention
on Protection of Wildlife and Cultural Heritage (1972);
Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species
(1973); CBD (1992); and Convention on Climate Change.
As responding to these conventions, Nepal developed and
implemented several policies and programs. Lake
conservation formally begins in Nepal from 1976 with
establishment of the Koshi Tappu Wild Life Reserve.
Otherwise, issues of lake remained completely ignored
until staging of Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (2002) which
first time pledged for the need of unified national wetland
policy and legislation. Consequently, National Wetlands
Policy (2003) came into effect as a keen response to
conserve lake/wetlands resources wisely and sustainably
with a successive formation of National Lake
the only government institution aiming to coordinate
national and international bodies; formulate and
implement policies and programs; and build national and
international partnership with respect conserving
Himalayan lakes of Nepal.
2.1 ILBM initiative in the sustainable conservation of
Himalayan lakes of Nepal
ILBM is a comprehensive management tool that
advocates on lake governance. It has six induction
governance pillars i.e. institutions, policies, participation,
technology, information and finance. Integration of these
components fairly harmonizes lake issues. Since 1990s,
Nepal has been practicing management of forest,
pasturelands, watersheds and water through integrated
approach by involving local people and institution. Better
experiences from these sectors could be a value addition
on ILBM to
address the issues
of Himalayan
lakes. For this
cause, NLCDC
has been working
with Japan based
International Lake
Environment
Committee
(ILEC) since
2007. ILEC has
been facilitating
NLCDC to
convene its lake conservation cases in international
forum; enabling it to undertake assessment of the
Himalayan lake conservation; providing technical inputs
and guidance; and enhancing technical capacities. In May
2009, NLCDC had influenced CAP-Net workshop
organized by Bangladesh Center for Advance Studies
(BCAS) with an outcome of establishing the South Asian
Forum for Integrated Wetlands Conservation. In August
2009, ILEC in collaboration with Indian Association of
Aquatic Biodiversity had NLCDC to share its strengths in
a sequence meeting in Bhopal, Udayapur, Ajmer and
Jaipur.
In a process of integrating ILBM, NLCDC has completed
a preliminary reviewing of the status of Himalayan lakes
with the finding of 5,300 lakes in Nepal, now ready to
conduct field inventory to verify the validity. NLCDC
would apply lake brief guideline adopted by ILEC with a
little modification on it for the purpose of Lake Inventory.
A national level core group of lake experts has been
formed and operational to provide technical inputs for
lake conservation programs. Development of strategic
plan for the sustainable conservation and wise use of
lakes has entered to the district level of consultation
process in collaboration with IUCN Nepal, National
Counsel for Science and Technology and National Trust
for Nature Conservation. Further, it has extended
technical and financial supports to restore and conserve
habitats of over 50 representative lakes in different
locations within the Nepal's geography. A scientific study
for designating lake-cluster of Pokhara valley in the
Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) for the Sustainable Conservation of Himalayan Lakes of Nepal
Ramsar list is in a steady progress with a financial
assistance of SGP/Ramsar, this initiative would add
contribution to Ramsar objective with a count of 10th
Ramsar site in Nepal. NLCDC has been playing an
intermediary role between Action in Mountain
Communities (AMC) and SGP/UNDP to integrate ILBM
in an initiative of Community Safeguarding Rupa Lake in
Pokhara. Here in this article, authors have made efforts to
explain how six pillars of ILBM have been integrated in
addressing the issues of Rupa Lake based on cumulative
impacts of different programs implemented by different
institutions.
2.2 ILBM in Rupa lake conservation, Pokhara
Rupa is a small advancing eutrophic lake with marshes
and paddy field along its shores. Lake covers an area of
115 ha in its watersheds basin is 30 km2 and has humid
upper tropical and lower subtropical climate. The mean
annual temperature is 19.30C and precipitation is 3157
mm. Administratively, Rupa lake basin falls in 4 different
VDCs and Lekhnath Municipality. Betani, Libiyani,
Syaglung, Tal Bensi, Majhi Gaon, and Devithan in the
north, Panchbhaiya and Sundare Danda in east, Bhangara
and Jagunkune Gaon in west and Talpari in the south are
major settlement areas. A total of 49,749 people reside in
the basin areas, the major occupation is subsistence
agriculture (Oli 1996).
Rupa is recognized for 8 main vegetation types with 379
genera and 128 families that comprise 128 tree species
and 85 herbs and shrubs that comprises to 25 endangered,
13 threatened, 5 rare and 2 vulnerable species of wetlands
plants. Lake is a hotspot of a native of wild rice i.e. Oryza
nivara. Species of 2 toads and 4 frogs; 14 reptiles, 104
birds including 14 migratory birds and 34 mammals also
are known to occur in Rupa. Of birds, 90 species are
endemic (Oli 1996).
2.2.1 Issues
Ill-fate of Rupa environment is high sediment input fed
by Talbesi, Dovan and Khurlung Kholas and other
19
streams. Two temporary roads under construction in east
and west are carriers of silt-load into the lake. As a result,
Rupa lake has lost its >60 percent of original water body
(IUCN 1996). There exist visible proofs of uncertified
and intensive agriculture use along shorelines of lake.
Deforestation in Rupa watersheds follow a history of
construction of Highway during 1960s and subsequent
urbanization at lake basin areas at the cost of denudation
of forest in accessible areas which became intense during
1970-1979. The denudation process continued to
accelerate until it reached its peak during the referendum
in Nepal in 1992.
Major urban settlements are found rapidly like Sudare
Danda, Talbesi, Dihibazar and Bhangara expanding.
There are no intervention adopted to regulate domestic
disposals, discharge of used water, overflow and seepage
from septic tanks and latrines.
2.2.2 Actions undertaken
Actions undertaken have following inputs to strengthen
lake governance of Rupa. They are:
Policy pillar: Conservation of Rupa Lake is subjected to
several cross-cutting policies and legal instruments. They
are: National Conservation Strategy (1987); Nepal
Environment Policy and Action Plan (1993); Nepal
Biodiversity Strategy (2002); Water Resource Strategy
(2002); National Wetlands Policy (2003); National Parks
and Wildlife Protection Act (1973); Forest Act (1993);
Aquatic Animals Protection Act (1961); Pokhara Town
Development Plan (1973); Town Plan Implementation
Act (1972) and Conservation Action Plans and
Guidelines (1996).
Institution pillar: Currently following institutions are
working together at national and local levels. They are:
National Planning Commission; several ministries and
their departments; and NLCDC. Local institution
includes: District Development Committee (DDC),
Kaski; Lekhnath Municipality; Village Development
Committees (VDCs); Chamber of Commerce; and Rupa
Lake Restoration and Fisheries Cooperative (RLRFC)
Participation pillar: Users as managers approach has
been adopted in conserving Rupa through a collaborative
management of local government, NGOs and local
groups. They include: AMC has been working with DDC;
VDC; Chambers of Commerce; RLRFC; and a network
“Jaibik Shrot Samranchan Sanstha” of 14 community
based organizations and 17 community forest users
groups. Currently, > 3000 members under this network
are functional.
Information pillar: An information center in Rupa that
maintains community resources like wetland museum,
conference hall and library. Group members are trained
on various fields of lake issues, livelihoods and
environmental friendly income generation activities.
20 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
Centre is preparing an electronic database on wetland
resources; traditional knowledge and biodiversity
register; aquarium of indigenous fish diversity; live
garden of floral diversity; specimen of wetland resources;
photographs; paintings; posters; video documentary and
traditional museum of fishing technology. Annapurna FM
a local radio airs “Samrakchan” bulletin every Saturday
on lake issues. AMC and Codefund have recently
initiated lake education center in Rupa Lake in
collaboration with Lekhnath Municipality and NLCDC.
In this center, each month 120 students would have
opportunity to comprehend biological, hydrological,
socio-economic and religeo-cultural values of lakes. This
education center aims to grow its scale gradually to
influence others members of society.
Finance pillar: Sustainable financing mechanism for
conserving Rupa has been realized and practiced at
community level through a cooperative mechanism i.e.,
RLRFC being run by 600 users. This cooperative has an
annual income of 7 million Rupees from fishery alone,
certain proportion of which is annually goes to lake
conservation. In 2008, RLRFC had US $ 1500 input used
in demarcating lake area and manual removal of aquatic
weeds. Further, Lekhnath Municipality, DDC and VDC
annually contribute funds and community. Trust fund as
project inputs from LiBIRD and AMC is in use.
Technology pillar: This pillar is needs further
strengthening to address higher scale issues of Rupa Lake
like desiltation; dam construction; solid waste
management and pollution treatment. Though,
communities have been adopting local technology in
energy management; fishing; value addition on crop/fruit
products; and biodiversity conservation.
2.2.3 Impact of Actions
Proactive local governance: “Jaibik Shrot Samranchan
Sanstha” – a conservation network - has been emerged
out at grass-root as proactive local "institutional pillar" of
ILBM. This network has categorized conservations action
under 3 groups: 1) conservation of wetlands; 2)
conservation of agriculture and horticulture resources;
and 3) conservation of NTFPs. RRFC is taking lead on
wetlands conservation with the involvement of wetland
dependent communities including Jalahari and inputs of
local government and NGOs. Pratigya cooperative is
responsible to coordinate all livelihoods including
agriculture, NTFPs and horticulture practices in
partnership with Lekhnath Municipality.
Organized biodiversity conservation: Community has
adopted organized approach to conserve biodiversity in
blocks for water birds, white lotus, Narkat, wild rice,
otters and local Sahar fish. These conservation blocks
have played a role of community-managed in situ gene
banks. Inventories and community biodiversity
registration have documented 69 species of wetland
dependant plants, 22 species of indigenous fishes, 11
species of improved variety of fishes, 36 species of water
birds, and 24 species of wetland dependant reptiles in
Rupa lake area (Regmi et. al. 2008).
Value addition technology and options: Communities
have explored different products from wetlands plant
resources such as Kamlagotti (seeds) and Kokre (stolen
part) of white lotus as alternative income generating
source, which retain medicinal values. Similarly,
Simalkande (Trapa sp.) was identified for marketing now
has production status as per business plan. Recently,
technique for solar dry fish and package fish product has
made an earnings of $ 1500 in 2007 (Regmi et. al 2008).
Upstream-downstream linkage: In 2002, environment
payment system was initiated in Rupa lake areas with a
provision of 10 percent of fund allocation made by
cooperative from its net income to integrate upstream-
downstream relation. The payment mechanisms were in
the form of cash, community contribution, capacity
building and collaborative activities. The EPS is basically
targeted to poor, resource dependent, vulnerable
communities around the lake, wetland and watershed
areas.
Lake education center: National and local government
institution gradually providing their supports and inputs
to strengthen local knowledge through lake education
center. For this, Lekhnath Municipality has provided
building infrastructure; NLCDC has provided 1 million
Rupees for laboratory supports; Codefund is to provide
technical inputs worth of 1 million Rupees and AMC has
US $ 10,000 from SGP/UNDP to operationalise the
center.
Better lake health better livelihoods: There are visible
evidences that lake health has been improved with
improved local economy and livelihoods. For example,
there is a significant reduction on deforestation
reciprocated by a afforestation and fruit plantation;
biodiversity resources are improved; weed control has
been manually managed; lake demarcation has been
done; local conflicts have been mitigated; income level
through fishery, crop, livestock and business operation,
and value addition of lake products have been improved.
Lake has been generating financial strength that has also
enabled youth to fetch remittance from their services
extended to the Gulf countries. However, impacts of
commercial fishery have yet to face by the community, a
local dam is in a process of construction may have
additional implications on lake environment. Lake
Environment is obviously improved in Rupa Lake,
though siltation has remained next immediate issue that
requires higher level inputs.
3. Conclusion
Himalayan lakes of Nepal are special in terms of their
nature and functions. Himalayan lakes have global
significances; they have potential for trans-Himalayan
conservation; they sustain higher biodiversity hotspots;
they support socio-economy of large section of people;
Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) for the Sustainable Conservation of Himalayan Lakes of Nepal
and they form foundation for religious and cultural
development. There are 5300 such kinds of lakes alone in
Nepal. However, they are under threats of anthropogenic
and natural origins.
NLCDC has foreseen ILBM as appropriate management
tool to address issues of Himalayan lakes that helps
improving governance structure. The maturity of NLCDC
is too early to depict ultimate impacts of ILBM in Nepal,
though series of intervention done earlier in Rupa Lake
by different institution is a valid example to experience
the strength of ILBM. Different inputs infused in Rupa
has strengthened institutional, participation, financial and
information pillars so local governance has remained
proactive in sustainable conservation and improved
livelihoods in Rupa area. Rupa lake conservation is one
of the best governance demonstrations of ILBM to
address Himalayan lake issues in Nepal. ILBM is still
evolving and needs more time and efforts to mature its
gravity at global scale.
Acknowledgement
We greatly acknowledge ILEC and NLCDC for
providing all kinds of support to accomplish this paper.
Thank also goes to the Chinese Society for
Environmental Sciences to accept our paper for
presentation in the WLC13th, Wuhan, China.
4. Reference
Baral, H.S., C. Inskipp, T. Inskipp & U.R. Regmi. 1996.
Threatened birds of Nepal. Bird conservation nepal
and department of national park and wildlife
conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Gachhadar, Pramila, A. R. Adhikari & R.P. Chaudhary.
2004. Fisheries communities and resource-use
pattern: Chimdi Lake and its surrounding wetlands.
Our Nature 2:35-39.
IUCN. 2004. A review of the status and threats to
wetlands in Nepal. Kathmandu. 78+v pp.
IUCN. 1996. Environmental study of Rupa and Begnas
lakes, IUCN Nepal.
JICA/SILT. 2002. Conservation development study on
the environmental conservation of Phewa Lake in
Pokhara, Nepal. Final report submitted by SILT
consultants to JICA/ Nepal, Kathmandu.
Joshi, Rabindra Man, Khagendra Sangam, and Dr. Tirtha
Bahadur Shresth. 2007. Mai Pokhari: A potential
mountain wetland for Ramsar site. In: Himalayan
wetlands: Risks, challenges and opportunities (Eds.
Bhandari, Bishnu B. and Gea Jae Joo). Changwon:
Ramsar Wetlands Center, Korea. pp 79-93.
Joshi, A.R. and D.P. Joshi. 1991. Endemic plants of
Nepal Himalaya: Conservation status and future
21
 direction. In: Mountain environment and
development. Vol. 1 (2): 1-35.
Karki Jhamak, B., Mohan Siwakoti and Neera Shrestha
Pradhan. 2005. Biodiversity resources of high
altitude wWetlands in Nepal: Field studies of the
Gosainkunda-Naukunda and Gokyo wetlands. In:
High altitude wetlands of Nepal: Views and reviews
on conservation (Ed. Bhandari Bishnu, B.).The
proceedings of the national workshop on high
altitude wetlands of Nepal. Kathmandu: FEM. pp
67-86.
Karki, Jhamak Bahadur. 2007. Review of high altitude
wetlands iInitiatives in Nepal. In: The initiation.
Student forum for forestry research & environment
conservation (SUFEREC). Kathmandu Forestry
College, Kathmandu.
Khanal, Bhaiya. 2007. Butterflies in and around Rara
national park. In: Himalayan wetlands: Risks,
challenges and opportunities (Eds. Bhandari, Bishnu
B. and Gea Jae Joo). Changwon: Ramsar Wetlands
Center, Korea. pp 59-64.
Khatiwada, Shrikanta. 2005. Pokhara ko paryatan ra
bikash ko lagi tal taliya ko samrachhan. Proceeding
of regional workshop on role of lakes in
development and promotion of tourism. NLCDC.
Pokhara.
Liu, X. and B. Chen. 2000. Glacial lake outburst floods
and risk engineering in the Himalaya. ICIMOD
occasional paper No. 5, ICIMOD, Kathmandu.
Oli, K.P. (ed.). 1996. Environmental study of Nepal's
Begnas and Rupa lakes. National Conservation
Strategy Implementation Project, 1996. Kathmandu.
xxi+156.
22 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
Pokharel, S, and K. Adhikari. 2009. Safeguarding
Himalayan wetlands: Evolving case of lake
conservation in Nepal. CAP-Net regional conference
on integrated management of wetlands and
sustainable livelihoods in South Asia. Souvenir
BCAS. Dhaka, Bangladesh. May 8-11.
Regmi Bimal, Gandhiv Kafle, Achyut Adhikari, Abishkar
Subedi, Rojee Suwal and Indra Paudel. 2008.
Towards an innovative approach to integrated
wetland management in Nepal. Unpublished report
LIBIRD.
Sharma Sudhindra, Juhani Koponen, Dipak Gyawali and
Ajaya dixit. 2004. Aid under stress. Water, forest
and Finsish support in Nepal. Published by Himal
books for institute of development sudies.
University of Helsinki, and interdisciplinary analyst,
Kathmandu.
Shrestha, A.B., C.P. Wake, P.A. Mayewski and J.E. Dibb.
1999. Maximum temperature trends in the Himalaya
and its vicinity: An analysis based on temperature
records from Nepal for the period 1971-94. Journal
of climate. 12:2775-2787.
Shrestha, Aanda Bhakta. 2007. Glacial lake outbrust
flood vulnerability assessment. In: Himalayan
wetlands: Risks, challenges and opportunities (Eds.
Bhandari, Bishnu B. and Gea Jae Joo). Changwon:
Ramsar wetlands center, Korea. pp. 16-31.
Shrestha, T.K. 2005. Biodiversity in high altitude
wetlands of Nepal. In: High altitude wetlands of
Nepal: Views and reviews on conservation (Ed.
Bhandari, Bishnu B.). The proceeding of the
national workshop on high altitude wetlands of
Nepal (2005). Kathmandu:FEM.
 Paper 4
Glacial Lakes and Wetlands in Bhutan Himalayas
G Karma Chhopel
National Environment Commission, P.O Box 466, Thimphu, BHUTAN
gkchhopel@nec.gov.bt / gkchhopel@hotmail.com
Abstract: Water is the most important natural resource
for the environmental conservation and development in
Bhutan. Most of the large rivers originate from the
Himalayan glaciers and glacial lakes and are perennial in
nature. The rugged terrain of the country gives rise to swift
flowing rivers. The river systems are extremely important
and extensive, flowing southwards in steep-sided
steep valleys
and gorges through all the main vegetation zones from
alpine snow and ice down to the subtropical
ubtropical forests of the
foothills, and leaving Bhutan in broad alluvial beds on the
plains of West Bengal and Assam. The major river
systems are the Amochhu, Wangchhu, Punatsangchhu and
Manas, all of which ultimately empties into the
Brahmaputra.
Due to the mountainous terrain, there are a number of
wetlands and glacial lakes. Of the wetlands, the most
important ones are the ones in Phobjikha (western) and
Bomdilling (Eastern). Other extensive bogs and marshes
were known to exist in the central valley but the research
and findings on them are limited. The glaciers in Bhutan
have retreated at an alarming rate giving rise to the
increase of glacial lakes. This is largely attributed to the
phenomenon of climate change.
Keywords: Conservation, glacial lakes,
lakes glaciers, gorges,
Himalayan, river systems
1. Objective & Methodology:
The main aim is to study the risk assessment on the lakes
& wetlands for understanding environmental impact and
for planning conservation and management strategies in
the Bhutan Himalayas. Some of the principal objectives
are:
• To understand the cause and effect of GLOF in
Hindu-Kush Himalayas
• To assess the environmental risk around the
GLOF area
• To assess the changes in geomorphology, glacial
morphology and lake ecology leading to GLOF
and thereby identify and establish eco-indicators
eco
as GLOF alarms, also initiate attempts in slope
stability analysis and hazard zone mapping and
mitigation of the lake through reducing its level
• Assessing Environmental Impacts in the
watershed ecologyy and suggest conservation
measures that can be sustained by the local stake
holders
2. River System
Bhutan with an area of 38,394 Sq. Km. is located south of
Tibet - the autonomous region of China and north of India.
It is endowed with rich natural resources
resou of extensive
natural forest cover and abundant water in its rivers.
Bhutan has a forest cover of 72.5 percent of the total area
of the country, a unique situation in South Asia. It has
many rivers and rivulets generally flowing in the north-
north
south direction
rection merging ultimately into 4 major river
systems; the Amochhu, Wangchhhu, Puna Tsang Chhu
and the Manas. These rivers cross border to join the
Brahmaputra River in India (See Fig.1).
The long-term
term mean annual flow of the entire country is
estimated to be 73,000 million m3 and the per capita
availability of water per annum is estimated at 109,000m3
for the estimated population of 673,000 in 2000 with the
annual growth rate of 3.1 percent per annum. This is the
highest in the SAARC region and perhaps in i the world.
The mountainous topography with varying altitudes from
100m to 7500m drained by four major rivers with their
numerous tributaries have resulted in a high potential of
hydropower put at 30, 000 MW.
Figure 1: Major Rivers of Bhutan
The abundance of water at the national level gives a false
sense of security. The uneven distribution of precipitation
in time and space has led to seasonal and local imbalances.
The country is already confronted with localized and
seasonal water shortages for drinking and agricultural
purposes. This situation is expected to be still worse with
the rise in population and without a proper water
management plan. Today 78% of the total population has
access to potable drinking water and 12.5 percent
(38,750ha) of the arable area is irrigated from the total
area of 310,000 ha.
The pressure on the water resources is mounting due to
competing demands from various users. In the past, water
was mainly used for domestic and agricultural purposes.
The domestic demand is increasing due to change in
lifestyle caused by economic boom especially in cities like
Thimphu, Paro and Phuntsholing. The water use for
agriculture has also increased to keep pace with food
demand of the rising population.
New demands are emerging from other sub-sectors
sub such as
hydropower and other incoming industries. Urbanization
has become a key issue that has serious impacts on both
water demand and water quality.
3. Wetlands
Literature and resources on areas of research on wetlands
in Bhutan is scarce.
ce. The current nodal agency for wetland
in Bhutan rests with the Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry, however the overall coordination and monitoring
on water resources including the framing of laws and
regulations and entering into bi- or multilateral agreements
a Thorthormi Tsho is perched precariously at 4428 metres
on water resources rests with the National Environment
Commission. More recently the Bumthang Ugyen
Wangchuck Environment Institute for Conservation has
started a survey of the high altitude wetlands in the
country.
The flora and fauna in the wetlands tlands remains poorly
investigated even though it is assumed to harbor a wide
range of biodiversity. From a conservation point of view,
the most important wetland species in Bhutan is the Black-
Black
necked Crane Grus nigricollis, for which the country has a
great
at international responsibility. It is estimated that about
500 Black-necked
necked cranes are present in winter,
representing about 30-40%40% of the world population of this
species. The cranes, which breed on the Tibetan Plateau,
arrive in Bhutan in October/ November ber and leave in
February/ March, returning each year to the same valleys
in the central zone, at altitudes between 2,400m and
3,400m.
Glacial Lakes
Bhutan is known to house 677 glaciers feeding
approximately 2674 glacial lakes. According to the studies
stud
conducted 24 out of 2,674 glacial lakes in Bhutan are
"potentially dangerous", meaning that they could burst
anytime within the next few years. Out of these lakes,
24 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29,
eight lakes are in the basin that feeds the Pho Chu (river)
which flooded in 1994. Lugge Tsho lake outburst and Pho
chhu flood caused 123 deaths, damaged Punakha Dzong
and in 1996 Lunana Raphstreng Tsho & Thorthorni Tsho
lake outburst; spoiled 120 homes and 96,474 acre pastures
wiped out. Lake Thorthormi is the largest glacial lakes in
Bhutan,, with a size of 3.42 sq. km, and thrice the
dimension of Lake Lugge that burst in 1994. Below is the
schematic diagram elucidating the temporal expansion of
Lugge Tsho:
above sea level in the remote Lunana area of northern
Bhutan Rated as one of Bhutan’s likeliest future
catastrophes, a breach and outburst flood through
Thorthormi Tsho’s unstable moraine walls would most
likely spill into the also vulnerable Raphsthreng Tsho 80
metres below, with th the combined flood suddenly releasing
up to 53 million cubic metres of water and debris into the
upper catchment of the Pho Chu river. In a valley still
bearing the scars of a just one third as large 1994 Glacial
Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) which took more mo than 20
lives and devastated villages and wrecked transport and
power facilities, the prospect is frightening. Scenarios
from an outflow from Thorthormi Tsho include crop
destruction and livestock losses over more than half of the
fertile and economically ly critical Punakha and Wangdue
valleys, loss of a vital bridge and roads, and damage to
hydropower facilities under construction. Punakha Dzong,
a 14th century royal palace and religious centre, would be
among 16 historic monuments at risk, along with
numerous
erous other buildings including vocational centres and
a noted weekend market.
Rapstreng Thorthormi
Tsho Tsho
Lugge
Tsho
Seven of the lakes are in the Mo Chhu basin, six in the
Mangde Chhu basin, five in the Chamkhar Chhu basin and
26 2010
two in the Kuri Chhu basin. They are all fed by glaciers,
which cover almost an area of 1337 Sq. Km. Most of the
677 known glaciers in Bhutan have spawned perilous
moraine-damned lakes that are increasing in size at a very
fast rate owing to retreating glaciers, having an average
displacement of about 20-30 meters every year. Only two
lakes in Bhutan, Raphstreng tsho and Thorthormi tsho
have been assessed most risky out of all and mitigation
work was undertaken. Rest of the 26 lakes is yet awaiting
a look over. Studies have revealed that fast retreating
glaciers, are discharging excess water and debris in these
lakes, owing to which the lakes are loosing depth,
expanding in area and increasing hydrostatic pressure is
weakening the natural dam walls making them susceptible
to bursting. In fact the rate of change in the size of the
lake, geomorphology and morphometry parametric along
with trends in the glacial snout displacement are now the
key factors for risk assessment. The general geomorphic
evidence suggests that an advancing glacier has a lobate
front and a wider snout while a retreating glacier has a low
width/length ratio. Thus these two parameters are
important indicators of glacial displacement. Further the
microclimate of the area is strongly influenced by annual
precipitation, vegetation pattern and even slope gradient,
but very little literature is available in regard to these
factors and glacial morphometry as well. In this part of
Himalayan range glacial melt water dominates the fluvial
system. The ablation zones of the glaciers are usually
covered by a thick pile of supraglacial moraines and are
characterized by several serrac ice sections, melting into
pool of supraglacial lakes. Mass wasting is common all
over the area and is initiated by heavy monsoon rains and
active fluvial incisions along the lower valley slopes. All
these wastes also get dumped into the lakebeds causing
inflammation and outburst. Low frequency high
magnitude events like earthquake and avalanches also add
to these. Glacial Lake Outburst Flood not only causes loss
of Biodiversity, life & Property in urban area but also
spoils agro-environment of watersheds rendering hundreds
of marginal farmlands uncultivable. In addition, it causes
landslides, communication shut downs, soil erosion and
loss, impair vegetation dynamics, force human
displacement, etc even across sociopolitical boundaries.
The average fluctuation rates of glaciers in Nepal and
Bhutan for all types of glaciers (retreating, stationary and
advancing), according to Karma (Toeb) are:
Region Duration Horizontal No. of
(years) retreat rate glaciers
(m/yr)
Nepal 34 (1958-92) 3.14 100
Bhutan 30 (1963-93) 6.27 103
For retreating glaciers only:
Nepal 34 (1958-92) 6.61 58
Bhutan 30 (1963-93) 7.36 86
Glacial Lakes and Wetlands in Bhutan Himalayas
4. Conclusion
The above discussion reflects the seriousness of the
impacts of GLOF in Eastern Himalayas. It also suggests
the responsible causes behind such natural calamities in
reference to the local area. It is, therefore, important to
trace out some base line activities that can help preventing
the loss and shock of such catastrophic aftermath owing to
climate change. Lack of resources and technology as
obvious in any third world country keeps no other options
open rather than depending on traditional ecological
knowledge. In order to streamline these activities that can
be planned out for hazard mitigation and environmental
sustenance some sectors of identified as below:
1) Observing the recorded events and maintaining a
database of GLOF can do identification of GLOF
prone area. Random remote sensed monitoring to find
water loading and changes in glacial morphometry
will help as an ecological indicator for predicting
GLOF.
2) Maximum probable thresholds are calculated within a
particular geographical area with regard to rainfall,
slope elevation, slope load, soil retention ability and
root cohesion.
3) Monitoring of Human activities to be done in areas of
high risk. Water harvesting techniques, landuse
patterns, deforestation, slope destabilization for
construction of residential houses, and any other
activities triggering downslide movement of earth
leading to accumulation of glacial melt water should
be kept controlled.
4) Preventive measures that suit the local ecology can be
implemented. Plantation should be done to keep the
slope load within the threshold limits. This can be
optimized either by reducing the slope elevation or
sizing the slope lode from time to time. Terrace
cultivation is advisable as an integrated silvicultural
method. Bioengineering techniques as worked out by
ITECO 1994, and Tianchi 1990, can be an effective
preventive device.
5) Awareness drive programmes and developing
alternative risk communication methods have to be
launched taking support of the traditional system and
technologies.
6) Mitigation of lakes at the source by lowering its level.
7) Artificial lowering of water level of the lakes such as
Thorthormi lake
8) Installation of Technical Early Warning Systems
along Pho chu valley (Lunana, Punakha and
downstream.
5. References
Ageta Y., S. Iwata, H. Yabuki, N. Naito, A. Sakai, C.
Narama and Karma. 2000. Expansion of glacier
lakes in recent decades in the Bhutan Himalayas.
Proceedings of the Seattle Workshop, 2000; Debris-
Covered Glaciers.
25
Bajracharya and Shrestha. 2002. Glacial Lake Outburst
Flood. Kuensel XXIV (7): Dated 13th July 2002.
Dipayan Dey, South Asian Forum for Environment
(Indian Chapter), Kolkata, India.
Geological Survey of Bhutan. 1999. Glaciers and Glacier
Lakes in Bhutan. Geological Survey of Bhutan.
ICIMOD/ASSESS-HKH. 2007. Policy Recommendations
for Mitigation Strategies for Sustainable Water
Management in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region.
Kathmandu: WP7, D16 ICIMOD/ Development of
an Assessment System to Evaluate the Ecological
Status of Rivers in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan
Region (ASSESS-HKH).
Komori J., D.R. Gurung, S. Iwata and H. Yabuki. 2003.
Variation and lake expansion of Chubda Glacier,
Bhutan Himalayas, during the last 35 years.
Mool P.K., D. Wangda, S.R. Bajrachaya, D.R. Gurung and
S.P. Joshi. 2001. Inventory of glaciers, glacial lakes
and glacial lake outburst floods, Bhutan. ICIMOD,
Kathmandu.
26 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
NEC. 2004. Brief Report on State of the Environment.
Thimpu: National Environment Commission.
RGOB. 1998. The Middle path, National Environment
Strategy for Bhutan. National Environment
Commission, Royal Govt. of Bhutan.
RGOB. 2002. Regulation for the Environmental Clearance
of Projects and Regulation on Strategic
Environmental Assessment. Thimpu: National
Environment Commission, Royal Govt. of Bhutan.
RGOB. 2004. Environment Discharge Standard. Thimpu:
National Environment Commission, Royal Govt. of
Bhutan.
SOE. 2001. State of the Environment Bhutan 2001.
SACEP, NORAD, UNEP, NEC, RGOB.
Vuichard D. and M. Zimmermann. 1987. The 1985
catastrophic drainage of a moraine-dammed lake,
Khumbu Himal, Nepal: case and consequences.
Watershed Conservation And Management Of Glacial
Lake Outburst Flood; Combating Climate Change
In Himalayan Environment.
 Paper 5

Challenges and Opportunities in Lake Conservation and Management

A Case study of Ucchali Lakes Complex – Pakistan
Rahat Jabeen, Najam Khurshid and Farooq Awan
1
Environmental Specialist. Sindh Water Sector Improvement Project, Karachi, Pakistan rahat@hotmail.com
2
Senior Environmental Specialist – FAO -Karachi Pakistan. najam58@hotmail.com
3
Agriculture Extension Department Govt. of Punjab. Pakistan. farooq_wwf@yahoo.com

Abstract: In Pakistan lakes are one of the important
sources of surface water after the rivers, streams and
ground water. Most of the lakes consist of two major
types i.e. fresh and brackish water. River Indus is the
main source of freshwater in the country. Many lakes
situated on both sides of the river. Only few natural lakes
systems exist having their own catchment and watershed
areas with closed basins. Ucchali complex is one of the
examples of natural lakes. There are three lakes present in
this complex, which are Ucchali, Khabbaki and Jahlar
covering an area of 1326 ha. They are situated in the
north central part of Pakistan in district Khushab of
Punjab province.
Ucchali complex harbors many scarce and important
species of waterbirds among which white headed duck
Oxyra leucocephala is a flagship species due to being the
only flock visiting Pakistan, this lake complex has also
the status of internationally important Wetland (Ramsar
site). The three lakes are closed basins surrounded by
hills of varying sltitudes, which serve as the catchment
areas. The hills are covered with sub-tropical broad-
leaved forest. These lakes surrounded by small villages.
The lakes facing various challenges in management and
conservation like fluctuations in water level and salinity,
illegal hunting of waterbirds, pollution, introduction of
exotic fish species, eutrophication excessive recreation
and deforestation in the watershed areas of the comples.
Several actions has been taken in account to minimized
and addressing the challenges. The local community
played important role in the conservation and
management of these important lakes. The relevant
stakeholders are also collaborated with each other and
implemented some conservation practices in the area. The
lake complex is the best example of participation by the
stakeholders in lake management and conservation.
Keywords: Catchment areas, Eutrophication, Illegal
hunting, White headed duck, Waterbirds, Pollution
1. Introduction
In Pakistan lakes are one of the important sources of
surface water after the rivers, streams and ground water.
Area of the lakes in Pakistan estimated as 110,000 ha
(Naik 1986). Most of the lakes consist of two major types
i.e. fresh and brackish water. River Indus is the main
source of freshwater in the country. Many lakes situated
on both sides of the river. Only few natural lakes systems
exist having their own catchment and watershed areas
with closed basins. Ucchali complex is one of the
examples of natural lakes. There are three lakes present in
this complex, which are Ucchali, Khabbaki and Jahlar
covering an area of 1326 ha. They are situated in the
north central part of Pakistan in district Khushab of
Punjab province.
Ucchali complex harbors many scarce and important
species of waterbirds among which White headed duck
Oxyura leucocephala is a flagship species due to being
the only flock visiting Pakistan. All three lakes constitute
the Ucchali Complex are Wildlife Sanctuaries under the
Punjab Wildlife Act. This lake complex has also the
status of internationally important Wetland (Ramsar site).
The three lakes are closed basins surrounded by hills of
varying altitudes, which serve as the catchment areas. The
hills are covered with sub-tropical broad-leaved forest.
The hills are 800 to 1500 m (above mean sea level).
These lakes surrounded by small villages. Commonly the
local women use these lakes banks for washing of
clothes.
Ucchali Complex is an outstanding site for wintering and
breeding waterbirds in Pakistan. The waterbirds during
this time provide all the color to the lake. It also holds
nationally important wintering and breeding populations
of several other species of wildfowl and raptors.
1.1 Ucchali Lake
It covers an area of 943 ha brackish to saline lake, (the
largest in the Salt Range), fed by a small spring, seepage
from adjacent irrigated land, and run-off from the
surrounding hills of the Salt Range. The water level and
salinity fluctuate according to local rainfall. The depth
varies from 0.2-6 m and water is usually hyper-saline
(41.5 ppt.). The management of lake is state owned
(Government of the Punjab). The adjacent agricultural and
submerged land is privately owned. The hill forests and
rangelands are also state owned.
1.2 Khabbaki Lake
The area of the lake is 238 ha. It is a shallow brackish
lake in the Salt Range, fed by local rainfall and several
intermittent streams rising in the surrounding hills. The
maximum depth is about 10.5 m. Salinity up to 5 ppt. was
recorded. The lake is state owned; adjacent agricultural
land is privately owned, and the forests and rangelands in
the watershed are communally owned.
Khabbaki Lake is use for commercial fishing by the
Fisheries department and right of fishing auction each
year. The awarded contractor tries to exploit the
maximum fish resources in the given time frame for
fishing. This activity causes a lot of disturbance to the
migratory water birds in the lake.
Keeping in view the changes during past 50 years it is
clear that the rain is one of the most significant factors.
On the basis of rainfall changes from 1998 to 2005 it was
observed that habitat at Khabbaki has been reduced and
the Jahlar and Ucchali are also threatened (Fig 1).
Figure 1: Rainfall at Salt Range
600
500
400
mm
The number of birds present fluctuates widely from year
to year and seems to be critically dependent on the water
level and salinity. Between 1,100 and 3,100 many ducks
(Anatidae) and coots wintered on the lake in the early
1970s. Over 100,000 water birds, very largely Common
Coot (Fulica atra), were also recorded. The lake is now
the most important wintering area for the rare White-
headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) in Pakistan; other
noteworthy winter visitors include Black necked grebe
(Podiceps nigricollis) and Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna
tadorna) Grey heron (Ardea cinerea), Greater Flamingo
(Phoenicopterus rubber), Greyleg Goose (Anser anser),
Wigeon (Anas Penelope), Shoveler (A. clypeata),
Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) and shorebirds like
Common Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Red Wattled
Lapwing (V. indicus) and Black winged stilt (Himantopus
himantopus).
There are no indigenous fishes in the lake; introduced fish
are Catla catla, Channa marulius, Cirrhinus mrigala,
Cyprinus carpio, Salmo lana, Tilapia mossambica and
Labeo rohita, Labeo rohita, Catla catla, and
Ctenopharyngodon idella. Mammals and amphibians
known to occur in the area include Canis aureus, Vulpes
vulpes, Felis libyca and Lepus nigricollis, Rana tigrin.

300

Challenges in Conservation and Management

200

• Fluctuations in water level and salinity are having a

100
detrimental effect on the habitat.
• There has been considerable amount of illegal hunting
0
of water birds by some local people and military
personnel stationed in the area.
1938
19 6
1987
1989
19 0
1991
1992
1993
19 4
1995
1996
19 7
1998
20 9
2000
2001
20 2
2003
04
8

0
19

• Pollution from domestic waste has also been reported

Year
1.3 Jahlar Lake
The area of the lake is 100 ha, brackish to saline lake
similar in general character to the nearby Ucchali and
Khabbaki Lakes. Jahlar Lake is fed by run-off from the
surrounding hills of the Salt Range. The depth varies
from 0.2-6m depending on the amount of rainfall
received. The lake is stated owned.
2. Biodiversity of the Complex
Marsh vegetation is confined to a few small patches along
the lakes shore, but there is a very rich growth of
plankton in the lake. The dominant aquatic plants are
Carex fedia, Hydrilla verticillata, Juncus sp, Phragmites
karka, Potamogeton crispus, Saccharum spontaneum,
Typha angustata, Vallisneria spiralis and Zannichellia
palustris. The natural vegetation of the region is a
mixture of subtropical semi-evergreen forest and tropical
thorn forest with species such as Acacia modesta,
Adhatoda vasica, Dodonea viscosa, Gymnosporia
royleana, Olea ferruginea, Reptonia buxifolia, Tamarix
aphylla, Withania coagulans and Zizyphus mauritiana
and Z. nummularia. The natural vegetation around the
lake has been cleared for agricultural land.
to be a problem to a small extent.
• Introduction of exotic fish species Tilapia in one of the
Lake.
• Fisheries related activities and auction of fishing rights
in one of the Lake.
• Eutrophication due to high level nutrients came through
run-off water from the agriculture land.
• Heavy siltation and reduction in Lake Depth.
• In the mid-1990s the fishery was identified as
detrimental to the population of Oxyura
• leucocephala. It is believed that the direct competition
for food between the introduced fishes and Water birds
have been responsible for the decline in Water birds
population (Fig. 2).
• Excessive recreation
• livestock grazing and agricultural activities
• Stoppage of rain water flowing into the Lake
• Deforestation in the watershed areas of the complex
• Introducing a legislative stronger effective enforcement
of fresh water use regime.
• Lack of ownership of the local communities
• Lack of trained personals for Lakes management
• Climate change factor leading towards drought or
exceptionally high rainfall.

28 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
Arable Farming is quite common in the area. The land
owners have cultivated their land which is exposing from
the water and this practice goes right up to the edge of the
water.
Figure 2: Trend of Whit headed duck at Ucchali
Complex during 2000-2005
2.1 Opportunities for Conservation and
Management
Over-Hunting
It is difficult to stop illegal hunting in the area. If limited
hunting of selected species of water birds in a selected
time frame can be allowed on a sustainable basis through
special permits. Hunting should be stopped immediately
after the arrival of migratory white-headed duck and can
be resuming after their departure from the complex. It is
suggested that the high fee of permits can be divided into
two portion 75% goes to the communities and 25% for
the government. Communities should be responsible to
monitor hunting parties and collect the fee. Revenue
generated through this practice can be utilized for
betterment of socio-economic condition of the local
community.
Fishing Rights & Fish Auction
Instead of auction of fishing rights of the lake, all fish
capture from the lake should be sold on a minimal price
in the local market. So, local people can get rich
portentous food in a relatively cheaper price. Angling
should be allowed to the locals as well as visitors without
any permit or fee. Poor people from the local community
can get fish without paying any cost. Visitors can pay
small amount for angling that will encourage ecotourism
in the area.
Eutrophication
Growth of aquatic plants can be reduced with the help of
local people by allowing them to cut Typha and other
commercially important species without any fee and ask
them to remove other aquatic weeds from the lakes.
Challenges and Opportunities in Lake Conservation and Management –A Case study of Ucchali Lakes Complex- Pakistan
Siltation
Desilting plan can be developed and implemented with
the support of local people. Excavated silt can be utilized
to overcome the salinity of the agriculture land. Dead
plan material can be use for organic composting.
Tourism
Recreation plan should be develop in order to engage
maximum visitor to generate revenue. Division of
revenue should be 75% community portion and 25% goes
to the government. Encourage local people to welcome
visitor and generate money by providing food,
accommodation and local guide.
Stoppage of Rainwater flowing into the Lake
Shortage of water in the lake will create havoc in the
whole complex of these lakes. Since these lakes are
playing an important role in recharging the wells and
keeping climate cool which results in getting off-season
crops. Majority of the farmers are dependent of these off-
season crops and use wells for irrigation. If they convince
that due to stoppage of lakes water their wells will be
dried and climatic conditions will also be changed. They
will not get the off-season crops. If they understood this
function of these lakes performed, these farmers will be
allow water flows in to the lakes instead of stop at their
farmlands.
Afforestation in the Watershed Areas of the Complex
Deforestation is not only bringing silt into the lakes but
also damaging the agriculture lands came on its way.
Some time land sliding cause heavy damages to land as
well as people. Afforestation will not only help in
reducing silt load to the lakes but reducing damages of
the agriculture land. Local communities can be involved
in plantation campaign and only local species of trees
should be planted in the catchments. Tree can be
harvested on sustainable basis or rotational harvesting can
be introduced. Similarly, it should not be one time
activity; plantation activities should be done at least twice
a year.
Ownership of the Local Communities
It is important to enhance ownership of the local
communities over the natural resources. If the community
is willing to own and if they convince and practically see
that they are benefiting from the participatory
management, they will provide their full cooperation and
management authorities can also utilize their traditional
knowledge for better management.
Climate Change/Drought
Pakistan being an arid country is more vulnerable to the
Climate Change. Long spell of droughts, resulting in
reduced water levels and the drying out of many lakes.
Ucchali Lake Complex is one of the examples facing the
same situation. Due to shortage of rainfall, lakes are
29
shrinking and water quality is also degraded. As a result,
many species of migratory birds were not attracted to use
these lakes as wintering ground. The famous endangered
White headed duck which is use to visit this lake complex
each year has changed its migratory route and found
some other wintering ground.
Water Shortage
The lack of water has resulted in degradation and
desiccation of important breeding sites in many other
countries. Climatic fluctuations have been shown to
influence the population dynamics of White-headed
ducks. Desiltation of these lake will enhance their water
capacity which is not only provide better habitat to the
biodiversity but helpful to the local people by
continuously recharging their wells and keeping climatic
conditions stable good for longer period.
Arable Farming
Those farmers whose land expose from the water and
want to cultivate it, through an agreement they should be
agreed on only organic farming on the exposed land. A
limit is also mention in the agreement that like 10 meters
away from the water edge or any other safe distance from
water edge. This farming will also attract plant eating
birds and it easier for them to get their food easily.
Pollution
Leaching and run-off of fertilizers and pesticides from
surrounding agricultural fields are known to pollute the
lakes, although their impact has not been determined. The
concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should be
introduced, provide training to the local farmers on IPM
and encourage organic farming especially in those areas
which are directly impacting on the lakes water regime.
Human Disturbance
Disturbance from human activities, particularly hunting,
fishing and boating activities during the breeding period,
is thought to be a threat to the White-headed duck.
Tourist plan need to be developed instead of discourage
tourism. Tourism should be encouraged because it is a
source of revenue and create awareness. It is important
that tourism should be well planned and according to the
situation.
Invasive Alien Species (Directly Impacting Habitat)
Introduction of Tilapia Oreochromis sp. and Grass Carp
Ctenopharyngodon idella into the complex respectively,
has affected the ecological balance of vegetation, fish and
other species. A habitat and recovery plan can be develop
to replace these species with local once.
Competition with Invasive Alien Species
Introduced Tilapia and carp are likely to compete with
White-headed ducks for food at Khabbaki Lake. The
harmful effect of the widespread carp on breeding
30 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
waterbirds is well known. Develop a species replacement
plan with the help of fisheries department and replace
Tilapia with local species.
Livestock Farming
Domestic livestock heavily grazes vegetated areas around
the lakes of the Ucchali complex. Grazing is much
beyond the grazing capacity levels. Rotational grazing
and selected grazing can be introduced with the support
of the local communities. Instead of goat farming other
option can be explore especially those are selective
grazers like cow and have more yield of milk.
2.2 Strategy to Overcome Challenges and Availing
Opportunities
Increase Knowledge Base
Stakeholders and decision- makers should be well
informed about the status and trends of lakes ecosystems,
their biodiversity, socio-economic values and priorities
for action required for these important lakes.
Focus on Sustainable Development
The values and services delivered by these lakes complex
should be recognized at each level from community to the
decision makers and an integrated management plan
should be developed for their sustainable use and
development.
Promote Integrated Water Resource Management
Conservation and wise use of this Lake complex can be
achieved through integrated water resource management.
This should be aimed to work through policy and
advocacy initiatives and demonstration projects to ensure
that the values and services delivered by this lake
complex are fully taken into account in planning and
implementation of water and fisheries management plans
and strategies.
Biodiversity and Ecological Network Development
Improved conservation status of this lake complex and its
biodiversity can be achieved through initiatives focusing
on lake-dependent species and their critical habitats.
Biodiversity conservation and wise use is a fundamental
requirement for sustainable development. There are many
processes underway to consolidate efforts and develop a
clear set of indicators to measure progress towards
reaching the internationally adopted targets of
significantly reducing biodiversity loss.
In this context relevant stakeholders should play a
significant role in establishing network which provide
support in data collection process and analysis of
biodiversity, trends, highlighting the causes behind
changes in population status of threatened and indicator
species and devise mechanism for sharing the data and
information among all the stakeholders.
3. Adopted Measures and Actions taken
1. An area level network of the local CBO’s has been
organized named as Soon Valley NGO’s Network
and this is working on the theme Natural Resource
Management.
2. Women groups organized turned into CBO’s and
now they are implementing projects.
3. Ownership of lakes developed and community
understanding of lake importance increased.
4. 3 partners CBO’s get funding in forest sector from
GEF / UNDP and one Soon Valley Development
Program (SVDP) from Pakistan Poverty Alleviation
Funds on drought mitigation and preparedness plan,
jointly implemented by SVDP and international
NGO working in conservation.
5. Women community organized and trained through
other organization thus the traditional behavior
changed and women participation in development
activities increased.
6. The performance of two Government Departments’
Forest and Wildlife improved to protect natural
resources of area.
7. 70% illegal hunting cases reduced due to awareness
and ownership in community.
8. Threats to Lake Biodiversity such as deforestation,
forest fires reduced and overall changed occur in
pattern of utilization of natural resources in area.
9. CBO’s capacity developed to implement projects at
their own and interventions at community level
increased in Forest sector.
10. Local community trained in lake conservation
techniques and bird watching.
11. Women community awareness level increased
through workshops and training.
12. Plantation trend increased in area.
13. Local community participation in development
projects increased after devolution plan in the forum
of the Citizen Community Boards (CCB).
Acknowledgment: Authors of this paper are thankful
to the ILEC Japan and Nepal Govt. for providing the
opportunity to present their work in the Regional Forum.
4. References
Ahmad, A. 1987. The lake and water birds wealth of
Pakistan, Paper presented at Conference on Lake and
Water birds Conservation in Asia, Malacca, 23-28
February.
Ahmed, A. 1988. Recent tragedies with the water birds
population on some of their wintering habitats in
Pakistan. WWF – Pakistan Newsletter 5(2): 4 - 8.
Anon. 1984. National Report of Pakistan In: Proc. Second
Conference of the Contracting Parties, 1984.
Challenges and Opportunities in Lake Conservation and Management –A Case study of Ucchali Lakes Complex- Pakistan
Convention on lakes of Groningen, Netherlands, 7-
12 may 1984: 381-390. Gland, Switzerland IUCN.
Anstey, S. 1989. The status and conservation of the White
headed duck (Oxyura leucephala IWRB special
publication No. (10). IWRB Slimbridge, Glocester
GL2 7bX, England.
Asian Water birds Census 1986 - 1991. Water birds
survey reports. Annually, joint publication of
International Water birds and Wetland Research
Bureau, U.K. and Asian Wetland Bureau, Malaysia.
Carp, E. 1980. Directory of Lakes of international
importance in the Eastern Palaearctic, Gland,
Switzerland: IUCN.
Chaudhry, A. Aleem. 1992. Habitat changes threaten the
White headed duck in Punjab, Pakistan, IWRB
Threatened Water birds Research Group Newsletter,
No. 2:5-6.
Chaudhry, A. Aleem. 1992. Habitat loss causes a decline
in White headed duck population. Proc. Pakistan
Congr, Zool. Vol. 11 pp. 245-252.
Hughes, B., Robinson, J.A., Green, A.J., Li, Z.W.D. and
Mundkur, T. (Compilers). 2006. International Single
Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the
White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala. CMS
Technical Series No. 13 & AEWA Technical Series
No.8. Bonn, Germany.
Jabeen Poonam. 1990. Ecological studies on Ucchali
Lake, Salt Range, Punjab M. Sc. Zoology Thesis,
Government College, Lahore. 1990
Jabeen, R. “Kalar Kahar Lake”, Article published in
Wildlife and Environment magazine and reprinted in
“The Star” evening newspaper. Pakistan
Jabeen, R. 1997. “Wet Wealth of Pakistan” article
published in “The News International” Daily news
paper on 5th June 1997.
Jabeen, R. 2000. “Wetlands our Liquid Assets” Article
published in Environmental News, Monthly
Magazine, published under the Patronage of
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and
Industry. VOL 4, Issue 6.
Jabeen, R. 2003. “Freshwater is not just water it’s Life”.
Article published in Natura, Quarterly magazine of
WWF-Pakistan. Vol: 30, Issue 4, Pg: 15-16.
Jabeen, R. 2004. “Impact of Water Scarcity on the
Wetlands of Sindh”, Proceedings of the Seminar
“Environmental, Social and Cultural Impact of Water
Scarcity in Sindh” 15th - 16th January 2004.
Organised by M.A Kazi Institute of Chemistry,
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 University of Sindh, Jamshoro. September 2004.Pg
173-184.
Jabeen, R., Khurshid, N.and Hasnain, S.A. .1998. Weed
Management Strategy for Eutrophic Lakes.
Proceeding of National Seminar on Impact of
Environment Pollution on Lakes of Sindh, 24
November 1998. Mehran University of Engineering
and Technology, Jamshoro and EPA-Sindh.
Khan, A.A. and A.A. Chaudhry. 1994. Management Plan
for Ucchali Complex Lakes. Salt Range Pakistan
WWF, PWRI.
Khurshid, N. et al. 2000. Wetland Action Plan, WWF-
Pakistan.
Khurshid, N., R. Jabeen and S.A. Hasnain. 1998., An
overview of Wetlands and Water birds of Sindh.
Proceeding of National Seminar on Impact of
Environment Pollution on Lakes of Sindh, 24
November 1998. Mehran University of Engineering
and Technology, Jamshoro and EPA-Sindh
Li, Z.W.D. and T. Mundkur. 2003. Status overview and
recommendations for conservation of the White
headed Duck Oxyura Leucocephala in Central Asia,
Lakes International Global Series 15, Kulalampur,
Malaysia.
Rao, A. L., N. Khurshid. 1991. “Management Plan of
Rawal Lake. A Part of the Management Plan of
Margalla Hills National Park, IUCN & WWF
Pakistan and National Council for Conservation of
Wildlife Islamabad, Pakistan.
Roberts, T.J. 1991. The Birds of Pakistan. Vol. 1 Oxford
University Press, Oxford.
Scott, D. 1989. Asian Lake Directory. IUCN, Gland,
Switzerland, 1989. [15] Savage, C.D.W, The
Wildfowl and Lake Situation in West Pakistan.
Wildfowl Trust 16 Annual Reports 1963-64: 121-
123. 1968.
Sharif, R. 1993. Limnological studies on the Ucchali
Complex Lakes in the Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan.
M.Sc. Zoology Thesis, Government College, Lahore
unpublished; pp. 67.
WWF and Punjab Wildlife Department. 1995.
Community based planning for lake conservation:
Lessons from the Ucchali in Pakistan. Report on the
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Training
Workshop in Ucchali Complex, Pakistan: 10-21
December 1994.
Map of Ucchali Lakes Complex

Naik, I.U. 1986. Inland fisheries and aquaculture in

Pakistan: review of the progress and new activities.
Paper presented at FAO/IPFC Workshop on
Strategies for the Management of Fisheries and
Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems, Bangkok,
Thailand, 23-25 June 1986.

Naseem, F. 1990. Ecological Studies on Jahlar Lake. Salt

Range Punjab, M.Sc. Zoology Thesis, Government
College, Lahore.

32 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
Technical Session-II Continue…
Managing Lake and their Basin
Chaired by Dr. Dinesh Raj Bhuju
National Academy of Science and Technology
 Paper 6
ILBM in Conservation and Management of Bhoj Wetland (Upper Lake):
A Ramsar Site of Bhopal (India)
Vipin Vyas, Shriparna Saxena and Pradeep Shrivastava
Department of Limnology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal 462 026 (India)
Email: secvip@yahoo.co.in
Abstract: Upper Lake of Bhopal (Latitude 23º12' to
23º16' N and Longitude 77º18' to 77º23' E), build in the
11th century AD, is a multiple use water body supports
various activities and is supermarket of biodiversity itself
and offers shelter to thousand of migratory and local
aquatic birds. The lake is also a lifeline for farmers of the
fringe area and for fishermen community too. The lake
has been facing serious problems mainly of sewage
inflow and siltation of man-made nature which helps in
profuse growth of macrophytes which on death and
decomposition releases tremendous nutrients resulting in
eutrophication in many parts of water body. The lake
having an area of 32 sq km receives water from a vast
catchment of approx. 370 sq km with urban and rural
parts. The maximum portion of the catchment area if rural
and has great impact on lake ecology while the urban
catchment is mainly responsible for entry of untreated
sewage. A massive restoration plan has been completed
on the lake with the assistance of JBIC. Desilting,
Deweeding, diversion and treatment of sewage,
catchment area treatment and afforestation were the main
components of the project. Hence conserving this
precious resource from contamination for sustainable
water use is of immense significance as an issue of
policy.
Keywords: wetland, biodiversity supermarket,
conservation, macrophytes
1. Introduction
Construction of storage reservoirs is an age old practice
in India. Former rulers have contributed significantly by
constructing large number of impoundments for
providing drinking water to the people in their capitals
and elsewhere. This was particularly necessary in arid,
semi arid and other regions with highly erratic rainfall.
With the time these water reservoirs become an important
part of human resource by cultivating trapa and fisheries
which helps in food security of world.
Due to tremendous hit rate in last two decades and
consequent urban development especially on the
northeast fringe of the Upper Lake. This caused increase
in demand for potable water and thus pressure on the
lake. The increased anthropogenic activities in the
watershed caused increased inflow of silt, untreated
sewage, nutrients and pesticides from urban and rural
areas and thus deterioration of water quality of the lakes.
Aquatic resources in recent years have received a great
deal of attention in India, an important source capable of
sustaining valuable natural flora and fauna. The main
stream of research in our country is focused on the
management and conservation aspects. Scientists working
in universities and research institution studied various
aspects of wetland ecosystems which served as baseline
data to identify problems associated to wetlands to chalk
out a sound management plan. Long considered as
unproductive and reluctant area wetlands were drained,
filled and dried for finding solutions of food and shelter
for ever increasing human population.
2. An account of the study area
The present study was conducted on upper Lake of
Bhopal. Bhopal is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh also
called as city of “lakes”. It is about 503 meters above
mean sea level and is situated at 23o16’ N latitude and
77o25’ E longitude on hard pink red sand stones of
Vindhya region. It was created by constructing an earthen
dam (which separates the Upper lake from Lower lake)
Raja Bhoj of Dhar in the 11th Century A.D. (1010-1055
A.D.) constructed the water body. It is the most
magnificent of all the lakes and reservoirs in this region
and has been alone source of drinking water supply to the
1.6 million population of the capital until the recent past.
The water is drawn from various parts of the lake and is
being treated in 5 water works units controlled by
independent authorities. The lake is dammed at two
places (i) in eastern part near Kamla Park and (ii) in the
southern part at Bhabhada weir, where there are eleven
sluice gates to let out the excess water from the lake into
a channel, which later on connects into a small river
known as Kaliasot. The south-eastern side of the lake is
bounded by Shamla Hills, Van Vihar and the north-
eastern side by Medical College, Koh-e-Fiza and
Ahmedabad hills. A suburban township called Bairagarh
is located at the western side of the lake. Besides this a
large number of houses and huts of the slum dwellers
were located on the north and Bairagarh, Khanugaon and
Hamidia Hospital. The lake has been designated as
Ramsar site in 2002.
Morphometry of Water body
The lake area is bounded between the latitudes 20010’-
23020’ and longitudes 77015’-77025’ as shown in the
Survey of India toposheet No. 55 E/7 and 55 E/8. The
lake is situated at an altitude of 532 metres above the
mean sea level. Some of the important morphometric
features of the lake are as follows:
Table 1: Some important morphometric features of Wildlife, Housing and Environment (Goverment
Upper Lake Agencies)
S. N. Features Upper lake 2. Civil Society: NGOs
1 Constructed 11th century 3. General Community.
2 Location 4. Educational and Research Institutions
Latitude 230 13’ N 5. Fishermen and trapa cultivators
Longitude 770 18’ E
3 Maximum length (m) 12,500 6. Some Misuses Related to lake and
4 Maximum width (m) 5,000 Management Activities done so far
5 Maximum depth (m) 8.8
6 Mean depth (m) 3.17 Due to tremendous population growth of the city (from
7 Volume (m3) 101,540.400 just over 0.1 million in 1951 to about 1.6 million in 2001)
8 Shore line (km) 22.4 and rapid urban development on the eastern and northern
9 Area (sq. km) 32 fringes of Upper Lake especially during the second half
of the 20th century subjected the lake to various
3. Biological characteristics of the Upper Lake environmental problems resulting in deterioration of its
water quality. The major causes of environmental
The lake harbours a tremendous diversity of flora and problems of the lake are listed in Table 2.
fauna. Following are some significant ecological aspects The lake has been facing the following problems
of the lake: • Reduction of Storage Capacity and Water spread Area
• Phytoplankton: 208 species due to siltation.
• Zooplankton: 115 species • Inflow of Sewage and waste water from the Catchment
• Fish fauna: 43 species area.
• Avifauna: 179 species • Encroachment in Catchment Area
• Insect: 98 species • Agricultural Activities based on chemical fertilizers &
• Reptiles and Amphibians: 10 species pesticides.
• Excessive growth of Aquatic Plants.
• Immersion of Idols and Tajias during festivals.
4. Multiple Uses
• Threat to Aquatic Life (Bio-diversity).
The state government initiated a massive conservation
The lake is the principal source of potable water to the
and management plan with the Japanese assistance. JBIC
city of 1.4 million people. In case of normal rainfall the
(Japan) provided Rs. 247 crores for various activities
water supply from the lake is 29 million gallons per day
under the project.
(MGD). Otherwise, off take may be much less (i.e. 12 to
15 MGD) depending upon the initial water level after the
7. Sink Scenario of the lake
monsoon.
The lake has a catchment area of 370 sq. km spreading in
This wetland is providing is tremendous benefit to its two administrative districts, Bhopal and Sehore. The
local habitants through drinking water, fish production catchment area can be easily categorized in rural (70%)
and economically and commercially valuable plants. The and urban (30%) catchment with different landuses and
cultivation if Trapa bispinosa and Nelumbo nucifera in impacts.
the shoreline and the fish (major carps) available in this
lake has a direct and in direct impact on the economic Land use /cover
conditions of the people living round this wetland. The
lake has been a tourist hotspot for the local residents. Information on land use/ cover pattern, especially the
Motorized, rowing and pedal boats have been introduced extent and spatial distribution is a prerequisite to
by the state Tourism Development Corporation and understand the catchment characteristics. The land
private boat owners in the lake with the permission of use/cover information help in formulation of policies and
Bhopal Municipal Corporation. Several food joints have programmes for wetland management. The details related
also come-up on the bank of the lake. About 45 ha of the to land use/cover pattern in the study area are summarised
lake area on the southern bank of the lake falls in the Van below:
Vihar National Park, a wildlife conservation park notified Land use/ land cover types and area statistics.
under Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Apart from this the
lake has been a subject of research and education for Landuse types Area (ha) 1998
institutions and NGOs engage in environmental education
in the city. 1. Built up land 2751
2. Agriculture land 10760
5. Several Stakeholder of the System 3. Fallow land 1249
4. Open scrub (with or without scrub) 5171
As stated prior the lake is a multiple use water body 5. Plantation 120
hence it has a several stakeholder community. 6. Barren rocky 273
1. BMC, Distt administration, railways, PHE, Tourism, 7. Open forest 503

36 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
8. Water bodies / River 2435
9. Marsh 522
10. Aquatic vegetation sparse 2 38
11. Aquatic vegetation dense 357
12. Other vegetations 574
TOTAL 36181
Homestead
The physical extent of the total built-up land is about
2751 ha. Around Bhoj wetland in 1998, there is an
increase of 707 ha. in the built up area from 1988 to 1998
and it is mainly in the southern part of the lake.
Agricultural land
Agriculture is the principal land use in the catchment and
it is around 24338 ha. in 1988 and 21009 ha. in 1998
which includes both standing crop and fallow land. The
land use/cover map of 1988 is prepared using two seasons
(pre and post monsoon) satellite data, whereas the 1998
map is prepared using single date. The area understanding
crop is 10760 ha. Land use/cover map on 1:50 000 scale
was prepared for the catchment. These maps provide
information on forests, shrubs and other land use such as
agricultural land, wastelands etc.
Non urban Catchment area
ILBM in Conservation and Management of Bhoj Wetland (Upper Lake): A Ramsar Site of Bhopal (India)
Buffer zone plantations
The area under forest (Open) 503 ha and it has not
changed. Plantation accounts 76 ha in 1988 and 120 ha in
1998. There is an increase of an area of 44 ha. This is
mainly due to a forestation in the waste land areas and
agro forestry.
Wasteland
The huge area is available under the barren rocky and
open scrub is included in this category. It is about 5444
ha. in 1998 while in 1988 6037 ha
Municipal Catchment area
Unfortunately this wetland has been threatened to a
greater extent, mainly due to accelerated siltation, land
reclamation and increase in the human activities in the
catchment area. Rain is the main source of water, besides
periodical inflow from Kolans River. The Urban portion
of the catchment constitutes about 18% area of the
Bhopal city inhabited by 20% population of the city
spread over in 23 wards out of 66 municipal wards of the
city.
37
The rural catchment area is harbouring 86 villages having
14000 households. Agriculture is the main activity in the
area and 70% of the land in the catchment is under
cultivation. Animal husbandry is the second main activity
of the catchment.
Problems linked with Non urban areas
Agriculture and its Impacts Wheat, gram and soybean are
the main crops in the area. Vegetables are also cultivated
by some farmers. Before the onset of Green revolution
probably before 1970 the agriculture practices in the
catchment was mainly organically based. But demand to
grow more food grain per unit area led to use of hybrid
seed and agro-chemicals in the agriculture practices.
Adjoining the urban area and capital city Bhopal, the
farmers have direct and easy availability of agro-
chemicals and hybrid seeds. These agro-chemicals are
normally used without a scientific and judicious approach
and finally find way into the lake. As a part of lake
conservation measures the Lake Conservation Authority
of MP has started an experimental activity promoting
organic farming by coordinating organic farm
management techniques. Since the experiment was
limited to use of organic compost and did not address any
other aspect like sustained supply of organic manure,
certification of organic products and incentives to
compensate the initial losses. Soil Erosion and Siltation:
Repeated tillage in the agriculture field and unvegetated
wasteland are prone to erosion of top soil during rainy
season and this silt is diverted to the lake by the inlet
channels and rivulets. Kolans and Uljhavan, two main
rivulets drain the entire rural catchment into the lake.
Afforestation and construction of civil structures was
undertaken by the Bhoj wetland project in the rural
catchment area on mass scale. To control inflow of silt
from the catchment area and thereby reduce silt
accumulation and pollution in the lakes 75 silt traps and 2
check dams were constructed across 31 inlet channels in
the rural catchment. A massive afforestation programme
was undertaken by Bhoj Wetland project and 1.7 million
plants were planted in about 1000 ha area creating a
three-tier buffer in the lake periphery. This includes
roadside and river embankment plantation.
8. The main beliefs of ILBM in the framework
of Upper Lake
Six pillar approach of ILBM in context to Upper Lake are
as follows.
In India there are several governmental agencies which
are involved in utilization, management and conservation
aspects of the natural resources. In MP recently, Lake
Conservation Authority of MP has been constituted by
the Housing and Environment Department of Govt. of
MP being the nodal agency for lake conservation activity.
Policies: Similarly the constitution of India categorically
emphasizes on protection of our natural wealth including
water through its various articles. Various acts and rules
38 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
have also been enacted by the central and state
governments in this connection. Mainly the following
legal instruments are in force to provide specific
guidelines for lake, Environmental (Protection) Act:
1986, Water Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1974 and Rules 1975 with amendments made in 1978 and
1988, Wildlife Protection Act: 1972. Peoples
Participation: Since there is a clear-cut segregation of
rural and urban catchment in the case of Upper Lake of
Bhopal, the former being the direct user of the lake and
the later being considered to be the polluter, there is a
possibilities of conflict between the two. This envisages
the role of civil society in the conflict resolving and
developing a linkage between the two. Technological
Possibilities: In the present situation of Upper Lake the
two main difficulties faced by authorities in conserving
the system is sewage diversion and another is catchment
area treatment. Knowledge Sources, availability of
knowledge base is a requirement for any management
plan for any water body. Department of Limnology in
actively involved in research activities which was
established in 1980 and is working actively till date. A
project sponsored by Man and Biosphere Committee of
Ministry of Environment of Forests (Govt. of India) in
1984 was a major knowledge base for the decision
makers to start lake conservation activities. Later, many
such studies paved way to identify the problems of the
lakes and its possible solutions which culminated into a
massive conservation plan for Bhoj wetland. It has been
experienced in the cases where external funding was
mobilized for lake conservation, no post project
sustainability could be ensured due to lack of budgetary
provisions. In case of Upper Lake the JBIC support ended
with some left over fund which is being used to generate
interest to run the functioning of Lake Conservation
Authority of MP. This can be a model approach and still
need due attention of authorities. Since the lake has a
multiple stakeholders from governmental level also,
separate budgetary provision can be made for each
department which can be spent in coordination of LCA-
MP.
9. Feasible alternative and Solutions
The ILBM approach has already been started in Bhopal
with special reference to Bhoj Wetland. Recently,
Barkatullah University Bhopal organised a brain storming
session, in association with ILEC, Japan, IAAB,
Hyderabad and LCA-MP. This session was attended by a
diverse group of stakeholders. The proposal of the session
can be considered as promising options and solutions.
There should be utmost emphasis on basin of Lake
Ecosystem. Bhoj Sarovar Samvardhini will be established
as the ILBM platform for future actions. It will be a
common podium involving diverse stake holders and also
will act as a thin tank to generate ideas for long term
sustainability of lake ecosystems. Lake Pollution Index
(LPI) based on select parameters will be developed for
Bhoj wetland for effective identification of degradation
and effective interventions. Eco-technologies and other
ecological interventions should complement technology
based conservation measures. Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) need to be more rigorously undertaken
before any developmental activities in and around a lake.
Present EIA procedure needs to be made more effective.
Ways and means need to be explored to enhance interest
of common man in the lakes and their management. An
annual lake festival could be organized mainly to inform
people on environmental status of the lake. University
and professional college students can take up projects on
different aspects of Lake Ecosystem and help in
generating knowledge resources. A synergy needs to be
established between basin and lake communities. This
will require much more imagination and innovation.
10. References
P. Shrivastava and G.H. Joshi, Status Report of Upper
Lake of Bhopal, Submitted to EPCO, 1992
P. Shrivastava, G.H. Joshi, Vipin Vyas and Abha Swarup,
Observations on the Management of A Tropical
Wetland Ecosystem, J. Hydrobil. Vol. X, No. 1.
15-28, 1994
ILBM in Conservation and Management of Bhoj Wetland (Upper Lake): A Ramsar Site of Bhopal (India)
V. Valecha, V. Vyas and R. Valecha, Rehabilitation of
The Twin Lakes of Bhopal, In Ecology and
Pollution of Indian Lakes and Reservoirs P K
Misha Ed. Pp 93-97, 1995.
M. Sahadevan, V. Vyas and P. Shrivastava, Biodiversity
of Aquatic Vegetetation in Upper Lake of Bhopal,
In Conservation of Aquatic Resources. S. N.
Dwivedi Ed. Pp 135-142, 2000
Amit Chaurasia, Landuse/ Landcover Pattern in the
Catchment Area of Upper Lake of Bhopal, M.Sc.
Dissertation submitted to Barkatullah University, Bhopal
(India), 2000
M.S. Kodarkar, Bhoj Wetland of Bhopal, In Brain
Storming Session on ILBM, Pp 60-62, 2009
S.M. Mishra, Conservation and Management of Bhoj
Wetland of Bhopal, India, In World Lake Vision
Action Report (ILEC), Pp 168-180, 2007
R. K. Bisaria, Sewage Treatment System of Bhopal,
M.Sc. Disseratation submitted to Sikkim Manipal
University, India. 90 Pp, 2009
39
 Paper 7
Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnological Applications for Lake Pollution
Control in India
Sandeep Joshi

Shrishti Eco-Research Institute (SERI), B-106, Devgiri, Sinhagad Road,

Pune – 411 030, Maharashtra, India
Tele: 91-020-24253773, Telefax: 91-020-66206539
Email: seriecotech@yahoo.co.in

Abstract: Ecological engineering has emerged as an
integration of ecology and engineering concerned with the
design, monitoring and construction of human relationship
with ecosystem for exchange of energy, food and waste.
Ecotechnology is an applied knowledge and skill that
searches for accomplishing human needs with minimal
ecological disruption, by binding and subtly maneuvering
natural forces to leverage their beneficial effects.
Sustainable engineering that can reduce damage to
ecosystems, adopt ecology as fundamental basis, and
ensure an orientation of precaution in the implementation
of the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable
management of the lake water quality with legitimate uses
can be considered as viable and cost effective control of
pollution. Ecotechnology is the discipline of sustainable
development. Ecological engineering practices can
facilitate restoration of the lake environment for the
survival, development and economy of society through the
integration of engineering and ecological principles.
Ecotechnology has the essence of collective intelligence
from the beginning of life on the earth 3.5 billion years
ago to the present with proven expression of multi-species
intelligence keeping away drastic and irreversible
consequences when something wrong, unexpected
happens. Hence, it is imperative to obtain knowledge and
understanding about the structure and functioning of
ecosystems and their particular susceptibilities.
Keywords: Ecology, engineering, ecotechnology, lake,
pollution control
1. Introduction
As per CPCB’s observations, there are about 233 class - I
cities in 14 major river basins of India. There population is
about 105 crores. These cities have been partially covered
with sewerage system – 24% only. Therefore almost 76%
of the untreated sewage from these cities reaches to
freshwater bodies mainly rivers and lakes. Class -II cities
don't have sewerage systems at all for the collection of
sewage. Just collection of the sewage is not enough. It
should be further purified also. So, all these city
wastewaters are naturally taken to the nearby rivers and
lakes by nallas and odhas (streams - natural drains). These
natural drains in the cities are serving as sewerage lines.
The water quality of surface water bodies including lakes
during 1995 to 2006 found that the organic and bacterial
contamination were continued to be critical due to
discharge of domestic wastewater mostly in untreated
form from the urban centres of the country.
It is noticed by the prime institution of India – Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) - in the field of
environmental monitoring in India that the urban local
bodies were not able to treat increasing the load of
municipal sewage flowing into water bodies without
treatment1, for example Chandola Lake at Ahmedabad (36
mg/l), Hussain Sagar Lake, Budamaru, A.P (33 mg/l), and
Ujjani Reservoir, Jaikwadi Reservoir in Maharashtra as
observed by the other study groups like Indian Association
of Aquatic Biologists (IAAB).
In the present context of inconsistent rainfall and increased
flashfloods, the receiving water bodies also do not have
adequate water for dilution of pollution. As a result, the
oxygen demand and bacterial contamination is increasing
gradually. This is responsible for water borne diseases in
the command area where the water is supplied for drinking
and irrigation purpose. The water quality monitoring
results were analyzed with respect to indicator of oxygen
consuming substances (Bio-chemical demand) and
indicator of pathogenic bacteria (total coliforms and faecal
coliforms).
The surface water bodies are subjected to present
eutrophication levels due to modernisation and
acceleration of urban growth and industrialization in late
eighties. In a physical survey of 25 lakes in urban and
semi-urban areas as a part of lake restoration programme
by SERI it is observed that the magnitude of problems
varies with socioeconomic development and religious-
cultural status of the community surrounding the lake
water body.
2. Attempts to Reduce the Pollution of Lakes due
to Urban Discharges
Ecosystems in urban systems were first discussed in the
modern world by Seifert and H. T. Odum in 1930s latter
on by Mitsch and Eugene Odum in detail. Indian Civilist
(having knowledge of civic processes) Chanakya
understood the impacts of civilization on the surrounding
environment and tried to develop rules to protect
ecosystems from the negative impacts of human activities.
Even then understanding the ecological processes is
relatively new branch of knowledge which has culminated
into ecological engineering and ecotechnology.
Ecotechnological systems have been developed 15 – 16
years ago through scientific rigorous lab scale, pilot
studies, and field trials to evolve process and design
parameters considering the biochemical kinetics and
confirming the applicability for domestic as well as
industrial wastewaters. These applications involved
vertical eco-filtration (Soil Scape Filter) with surface –
subsurface application, overland – subsurface flow (Green
Channel), lentic community succession (Hydrasch
Succession Pond), horizontal eco-filtration (Green
Bridge), aquatic ecological principles (Green Lake
System), phytofiltration, biox (biological oxygenation) and
entire ecosystem approach (Brown Biodiversity Park).
With the experience of 15 – 16 years, it can be stated that
mechanization and operational costs of the wastewater
treatment systems can be reduced substantially by
incorporating and implementing the ecological treatment
systems in the USES.
Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnology for
Pollution Treatment
Ecological engineering has emerged as an integration of
ecology and engineering concerned with the design,
monitoring and construction of human relationship with
ecosystem for exchange of energy, food and waste. The
other definition of ecological engineering is given as the
design of sustainable ecosystems intends to integrate
human society with its natural environment. All
sustainable engineering that can reduce damage to
ecosystems, adopt ecology as a fundamental basis, and
ensure an orientation of precaution in the implementation
of the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable
development may be considered as forms of
ecotechnology.
Ecotechnology is essentially the discipline of sustainable
development. Ecological engineering practices can
facilitate restoration and preservation of the environment
health for the survival, development and economy of
society through the integration of engineering and
ecological principles. An ecologically sound approach to
engineering considers that nature responds thoroughly,
constantly and cumulatively. Ecotechnology operates
within the borders of ecosystem rather than infringing on
or contravening or overcoming it.
Ecotechnology has the essence of collective intelligence
from the beginning of life on the earth 3.5 billion years
ago to the present with proven expression of multi-species
intelligence. Ecotechnological solutions are flexible and
magnanimous as possible, thus keeping away drastic and
irreversible consequences when something wrong,
unexpected happens. Ecological engineering and eco-
technologies are dependent on the self-designing abilities
of ecosystems and natural forces.
When changes occur in the ecotechnological systems due
to external inputs, biogeochemical cycles and food chains
42 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
are reorganized and balanced. Certain species are
preferred to adapt to the changes. A new self-motivated
order – food chain, tropic levels eventually are emerged
suitable to the changes superimposed on it. Thus the
ecological engineering and eco-technologies are
distinguished from conventional engineering technology
owing to focus on, and use of, biological species,
communities, and ecosystem processes. Thus, the
ecotechnologies are more suitable for the point and non-
point sources of urban wastes generated in the lake basins
and catchment of rivers as compared to the conventional
mechanized systems. The mechanized systems transform
one form of pollution into another form.
Application of Ecotechnological Treatment
Systems
With the initiatives from private sectors and civil society
organizations, the ecotechnological systems were
successfully installed for the field scale applications in the
catchment of Ujjani Reservoir. Studies on ecotechnology
were initiated in 1991-92 but first field scale plant was
installed in 1996 on mixture of domestic and industrial
wastewater after evaluation of pilot plant performance
using the same principles. Civil society organizations and
military educational institute supported for field scale
application of ecotechnology for pollution from non-point
sources – for pollution flowing through Bhosari stream in
Pune collecting wastewater from industrial and residential
areas.
Experiences of Treatment of Polluted Urban
Streams in the Ujjani Catchment
First of its kind Sparkling Stream project was executed in
200318,19,20 with the combined efforts of Shrishti Eco-
Research Institute, Clean River Committee, Cummins
foundation and College of Military Engineering. This was
developed with clear objectives listed as effective removal
of color and odor, organic and inorganic pollutants, and
use of the treated water for the further beneficial uses
(Table 1).
The Bhosari stream enters into the CME premises after
crossing the Nashik - Pune Highway no. 50 near Bhosari.
It received wastewaters from the residential and industrial
areas of Bhosari to the tune of 70 MLD. The water was
highly contaminated with various organic and inorganic
pollutants. It was densely black colored stinking water in
the stream. This water was treated effectively using natural
technologies like Stream Eco-System, Green Bridge and
Green Lake Eco-System. The successful implementation
of the ecotechnological scheme was encouraging to treat
the waste streams arising from the non-point sources. With
support of corporate houses and 12 NGOs in Pune the two
streams – Sandvik and Ambil – were selected for the
purification and beautification.
In a joint monitoring of technology validation programme,
in association with SERI, Maharashtra Pollution Control
Board conducted sampling and testing for 7 days. It is
found that the treated water COD concentration was more
or less as compared to the variations in untreated water. It
can be concluded from the following graph, that
ecotechnological treatment scheme can absorb the diurnal
variations of pollution loading.
3. Brown Biodiversity Park
It’s a unique concept to treat the liquid and solid waste
using ecological principles and ecosystem components
considering waste converting microorganisms as key role
players. Then, the bioconverted products can be used by
green plants and other organisms in different tropic levels
as nutrition. It’s a controlled cycling of material and
energy in biogeochemical cycles of simulated artificially
developed ecosystem. Actually, all the ecological
biomachinery at work when the wastes are discharged into
the catchment of lake. For that matter entire catchment of
14500 sq. km of Ujjani Reservoir is being used by nature
to correct the aberrations caused by waste streams. The
brown biodiversity park waste treatment system can be as
shown in Fig. 6.
The Brown Biodiversity Park is affordable concept to
reduce the cost of investment and energy requirement
substantially and at the same time the area requirement
will be about 240 ha for Pune’s wastewaters to give
natural quality water which then can be comfortably used
for any use with regular water works treatment and
disinfection. It can be added with methane generation unit
by concentrating biodegradable sludge. This will have
advantage in absorbing the additional wastewaters
generated from the upcoming development in the highly
urbanised catchment of Ujjani reservoir.
Figure 6: Simulation of ecological systems as Brown
Biodiversity Park to treat city wastes.
Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnological applications for lake pollution control in India
Presently, the wastewater generation from the Pune –
Pimpri Chinchwad urban and industrial sectors is
estimated as to tune of 1600 MLD. Development trend is
that the cities would double up wastewater generation in
next twenty years. Then the energy requirement would be
3000 MW21 just to treat wastewater with conventional
systems. The energy crisis is reaching new heights time
and now, then how the electricity would be made available
for the future waste treatment systems. Hence, there is a
need to look at waste management from the point of view
of energy availability and to develop strategic action plans
to use ecosystem approach in future.
4. Treatment of Sewage from Residential,
Commercial and Institutional Complexes
Any urban residential complex like apartments, colonies
and societies, with commercial complexes like hotels,
shopping malls and multiplexes, hospitals and institutions
like schools, colleges and government office complexes.
Innovative idea is to use sewage eco-treatment units
parallel to roads in the city – in Pune city, total length of
the roads is 1800 km out of which 25 % are having width
24 m.
If the width of about 2 – 4 m of Green channel for the
sewage treatment is added to 24 m, then it will ease the
problem of sewage conveyance to outskirts of city and
issues like rehabilitation raised due to lying of sewage
pipeline.
Advantages of this scheme in the cities and settlements
will be - minimum electricity requirement and treated
wastewater can be used for road washing, cooling
fountains in the squares, recharging of groundwater and
rivers.
5. Benefits of Living Systems in the Treatment of
Pollution
It’s a two prong action – detritus feeding organisms
consume the pollutants (because its nutrient for them) and
wastes generated from this process are useful for green
plants and secondly, the green plants absorb carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere. Thus, the pollutants get
transferred to natural cycle’s i. e. biogeochemical cycles of
carbon and other elements. Carbon gets stored in
vegetation and subsequently in the soil. Plants store carbon
in the forms of live biomass. Once they die, the biomass
becomes a part of the food chain again and eventually
enters the soil as soil carbon. This is natural process which
doesn’t need electricity at all. Hence, the ecotechnologies
– using ecological engineering principles to treat pollution
– have immaculate advantage on energy intensive
technologies.
The role of vegetation in carbon deposition is the suitable
option which offers the potential in human systems to
function as a carbon sink. If Punekars use ecotechnology,
43
they can earn crores of rupees through proper liquid and
solid waste management.
6. Institutional Mechanism
1. Urban and industrial zoning and planning considering
the terrain, watershed, local climatic conditions
2. Planning in compliance with contemporary siting
conditions and evolving some with local conditions to
protect the integrity of the environment while
developing the region
3. Ecoplanning will involve the resources and waste
management concurrent with development and
population growth to make it sustainable city - city
has major components as a part of urban processes -
energy security in the form of electricity, oil for
transport, domestic sector, industrial sector and
common facilities, water security for present and
future demands, food for all, conservation and
protection of natural plantation and urban forestry,
liquid and solid waste generation and management
4. Ecoplanning will consider the energy, water and
waste balance sheet of the city.
A riverine and lake health and culture should be the focus
in Regional Economy and Development (RED) as it is the
most important component in Lake - River Catchment
Management (LRCM). A river links various cities,
villages, urban, agrarian and ecological systems – forms
River Culture with Nature. The civil societies flourished
along the rivers from thousands of years.
Every human, semi-human and natural ecosystem needs
inputs from surrounding and waste dumping areas for
survival and sustenance. Piling of wastes creates unhealthy
condition for the life, which leads changing of
physicochemical properties of freshwater resources,
groundwater and land.
This illness (changes in the healthy status) of water, air,
soil and food harms the human as well as ecological
health. This illness of water, air, soil can be termed as
pollution. The pollution and health are important issues as
far as welfare of society and nature is concerned. They
become the really ethical issues to bring the prosperity in
harmony with nature. So, the environmental quality is the
key to public health or well-being.
An institutional mechanism – on the basis of prime
medical institution attached with hospital for every
freshwater body – is proposed herewith having focus on
quality watch, ecological health, pollution treatment and
human well-being. This will cater the need of scientific
approach with understanding of ecological engineering,
and socio-economic evaluation for the overall events and
interactions in the River Basin as a whole unit.
7. Rural and Urban Water Resources
Management
World is moving ahead with great pace in this 21st
millennium of modern world towards the sustainable
44 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
development while coping with climate change having
objectives of pure water supply for everybody and
complete sanitation to protect environment from pollution.
The community wastewater from village settlements can
be dealt with innovative approaches to convert it into
resources. The National Environment Policy of India
suggests that wetlands can be used as alternative
technology to capital intensive municipal sewage plants
(statement on page 33). It is suggested that not to use
natural wetlands but construct new ones to treat
wastewaters. This will be right approach to use and
recycle community wastewater as a nutritional resource
for farming as a component of total integrated water
resources management programme.
The corporations, municipal councils of cities and towns,
panchayats and local administration of villages with co-
operative societies of farmers can be updated, trained and
educated for using ecofriendly techniques for their
effective waste management – including liquid and solid
wastes.
8. Action plan shall involve
• To identify the critically polluted stretches of rivers,
streams and lakes
• To undertake water body pollution control projects
anywhere in India without any administrative
restrictions
• To keep water body under observations till it gets
thoroughly cleaned
• To implement innovative techniques in combination
with judicious selection of other environmental
technologies in removing pollution from the water
bodies and ensuring their continued improved
ecological health in future
• To develop constantly new techniques best suited to
the local conditions, instead of applying monoculture
approach
• To guide pollution monitoring authorities in their
respective projects to improve their performance in
pollution control activities
9. Action Steps
This can be explained briefly as:
1. To establish a Lake Watch / River Watch unit
2. To develop `Training Unit’
3. To establish groups of technologists, analysts and
naturalists for success of the restoration project
4. To form `Lake Basin Management’ research
group and stakeholders group for maintaining the
water quality of Natural / Reservoir – Artificial
Lakes
5. Interaction with local, regional, national and
international groups and agencies
6. Outreach – formation of Jal – Mitra Mandals and
educating river-lake-friends at school level
7. To form and train local groups with public
participation for the routine operations and
maintenance of treatment systems or schemes
10. References
Joshi, S. 2000. Ecotechnological treatment for Industrial
Wastewater containing Heavy Metals, Journal of
Indian Association of Environment Management.
27 (2): 98 – 102.
Joshi, S. 2003. Analysis report of river samples collected
during 2nd Jal Dindi expedition submitted to
Maharashtra Pollution Control board and Ministry
of Environment & Forests, Government of
Maharashtra.
Joshi, S. 2004 Report published in Indian Express on
Pune’s Dead Rivers.
Joshi, S. 2006 – 07. Reports on Restoration of Pushkar
Lake submitted to Pushkar Administration through
Purana Rangji Mandir Samittee, Pushkar, Dist.
Ajmer, Rajasthan State, India.
Joshi, S. 2007. City Development and Environment. In
Pune 2020 edited by Vivek Velankar et al.
Published by Development Council of India, Pune
Municipal Corporation, Pune. pp. 197 – 208.
Joshi, S. 2007. Ecological Intelligence for Civil
Environmental Responsibility. SERInews, 1 (9): pp
2-3.
Joshi, S. 2007. Ecotechnology for the treatment of city
wastewaters. Presentation to Planning Commission,
Government of India.
Joshi, S. 2007. Sustainable Management Plans for Urban
Lakes in India. Paper presented in 12th World Lake
Conference held at Jaipur by Ministry of
Environment and Forests of India and ILEC, Japan.
Joshi, S. 2008. Unpublished data.
Joshi, S. 2009. Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnology
to Save the Economy, Market, Human Life and
Ecosystems from the Impacts of Climate Change,
SERInews, emagazine vol. 3 no. 11, July 2009. Pp.
2
Joshi, S. 2009. Urban System with Ecological Security
(USES) for surface water body, SERInews, July
2009.
Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnological applications for lake pollution control in India
Joshi, S. and J. Avadhoot. 2005. Analysis report of river
samples collected during 3rd Jal Dindi expedition
from rise of Mutha river to Pandharpur submitted to
Jal Dindi Pratishthan, Pune.
Joshi, S. and S. Joshi. 2007. Ecotechnological applications
for the control of lake pollution. 12th World Lake
Conference held at Jaipur by Ministry of
Environment and Forests of India and ILEC.
Joshi, S., S. Joshi, P. Dhotekar and P. Kapole. 2007.
Comparative Statement on performance of
ecotechnology in treating Pune’s polluted drains.
Submitted to Principal Secretary, Ministry of
Environment and Forests, Government of
Maharashtra, India.
Kodarkar, M.S. 1995. Conservation of Lakes (with special
reference to water bodies in anda round
Hyderabad). Published by Indian Association of
Aquatic Biologists, Hyderabad.
Pathak, P., S.K. Jeste, S. Joshi, and V.S. Ghole. 2001.
Assessment of performance of ecological treatment
units to industrial wastewater. International
conference on Industrial Pollution and Control
Technologies, organised by Jawaharlal Nehru
Technological University, Hyderabad, India.
Ranade, V. 2007. Lake Management – Issues and
Challenges – A Case Study of Ujjani Reservoir in
Maharashtra (India). World Lake Vision Action
report. pp. 217 – 224.
Shrishti Eco-Research Institute, Pune, India, unpublished
data.
Sinha, P. and S. Joshi 2007. Use of Green Bridge and
Green Lake Systems to Treat Polluted Streams in
Pune City. Proceedings of Workshop on Potential
of Ecotechnology in water Supply and Sanitation by
Shrishti Eco-Research Institute at Pune. Pp. 33-34.
www.cpcb.nic.in/water.php
www.weikipedia/ecological engineering and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotechnology
accessed on 30/06/2009
45
Lessons Learning Session I:
Lake Conservation in Nepal
Chaired by Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha
Biodiversity Expert
 Paper 8
National Lake Strategic Plan for Nepal Process and Contents
Ukesh Raj Bhuju

Consulting Advisor, National Lakes Conservation Development Committee

Background made in the country including the 1988 National

Conservation Strategy, the 2002 Nepal Biodiversity
Established in 2007 with the primary objective of Strategy, the 2002 Water Resources Strategy Nepal, the
conserving and developing the country's lakes, the 2003 National Wetlands Policy and the 2005 National
National Lake Conservation Development Committee Water Plan Nepal.
(NLCDC) envisioned the strategic plan within its scope
of policy advice, program planning and implementation, The field teams consisting of 113 researchers conducted
public awareness, and lake protection. district level consultation meetings and 97 focus group
discussions in 49 districts where over 1,700 participants
The process of preparing a Strategic Plan includes the shared their views. Rapid ecological surveys of 229 lakes
five stages, namely i. Conceptualization, ii. Literature were carried out (Table 2).
Review and Lake Inventory, iii. Appreciative Inquiry and
Experts Consultations, iv. Field Consultations and Table 2: Persons Involved and Consulted in District
Observations, and v. Consultative Workshops and Consultations
Documentation. The four major partner organizations
involved in the process were the International Union for Team Persons Consulted
Partners Districts
Nature Conservation (IUCN) Nepal Office, the Nepal
Members FGD DCM Total
Academy of Sciences and Technology (NAST), the
National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), and the NAST 38 20 145 392 537
Tribhuvan University - Central Department of NTNC 29 19 150 350 500
Environmental Science (TU-CDES). The researchers of TU- 54 10 454 669
215
the partner organizations covered 49 out of 75 districts CDES
for the purposes of field consultations and observations in Total 121 49 749 957 1706
and around the lakes (Table 1).
A national workshop was organized to finalize the
Table 1: List of district consulted by different preliminary draft strategic plan that was prepared on the
parterres organizations basis of the issues and suggestions gathered from the
center to the fields. A draft document of the strategic plan
NAST NTNC TU-CDES was adopted with the four main sections, as follows:
Arghakhanchi Kaski Achham
Dhading Lamjung Bajura A. Context Introduction, Lakes of Nepal, Policy,
Dhankuta Manang Dailekh Ecology, Livelihood, Issues and
Dhanusha Mustang Dandeldhura Suggestions, Identification, Categorization
Dolakha Myagdi Doti B. Programs Vision and expectations, Goals,
Gorkha Nawalparasi Ilam Objectives, Actions, Priority
Gulmi Parbat Jhapa C. Business Budget Estimation and Breakdown,
Kavrepalanchok Parsa Panchthar plan Human and Physical Resources
Mahottari Rupandehi Surkhet identification, Financial Resources,
Makwanpur Tanahu Taplejung Partners identification, Implementation
Morang Baglung mechanism and Working principles
Nuwakot Banke D. Annexes List of Contributors, Criteria of
Palpa Bara Prioritization, Line Item Budget, Schedule
Ramechhap Bardiya and Program Budget, Human Resources,
Rasuwa Chitawan Locations and Key Partners
Saptari Dang
Sarlahi Kailali The following background papers were also prepared
Sindhuli Kanchanpur during the process
Sindhupalchok Kapilbastu SP01 Concept Paper - Conceptual Framework on the
Sunsari Process of Strategic Plan Preparation
SP02 Lakes of Nepal: 5358 - A Map Based Inventory
Report
A strategic plan on lakes of Nepal was a timely need SP03 tfntn}of ;+/If0f;DaGwL gLltut / sfg'gL Joj:yf -sfo{ kq_
when significant conservation achievements have been
SP04 Theme Paper: Natural Science - Scientific
Understanding of Lakes and Ponds
SP05 Theme Paper - Socio-Economic Aspect of the Lake
Ecosystems in Nepal
SP06 Issues and Suggestions Paper (Excerpts of
Appreciative Inquiry, Experts Consultation and
Field Consultation and Observation) (Report)
SP07 Proceedings - National Workshop December 29,
2009 (2066 Poush 14) Tuesday
The map based lake inventory listed 5,358 lakes in Nepal.
According to the altitudes, 2,712 lakes (51%) are
confined below 499m, and 2,111 lakes (39%) above
4,000m. Only 10% lakes are distributed in the midhills
ranging between 500 and 3,999m altitudes (Table 3).
Table 3: Altitudinal Distribution of Lakes in Nepal
Altitudes (meter) Number of Lakes
Below 499 2,712
500-2,999 419
3,000-3,999 116
Above 4,000 2,111
Total 5,358
Of the total 75 districts, 74 contain lakes. There are 21
districts containing less than nine lakes, and 16 districts
containing over 100 lakes. Among the remaining 38
districts, 16 contain lakes between 10 and 29, and 22
contain between 30 and 99. The eight districts with high
number of lakes are Humla (381), Taplejung (380),
Kapilbastu (351), Solukhumbu (339), Rupandehi (289),
Banke (243), Dhanusa (230) and Dolpa (210).
The lake strategic plan would complement the past
strategies that left lakes to be separately addressed. There
are over two dozens of Acts and Regulations that are
relevant to lake ranging from forest and protected areas,
to agriculture and irrigation.
The main policies and strategies pertinent to lakes are the
2003 National Wetlands Policy, the 2002 Nepal
Biodiversity Strategy, the 2002 Water Resources Strategy
Nepal, the 2005 National Water Plan Nepal.
Nepal is a party to several international conventions
pertinent to lakes including the Ramsar Convention.
Since its accession to the Convention on April 17, 1988,
50
Percentage Population
40
30
20
10
0
50
National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26
Nepal’s eight lakes have been recognized as Ramsar
Sites. They are Rara tal, Phoksundo tal, Gosainkunda,
Gokyo, Mai Pokhari, Beeshazar tal, Jagdishpur reservoir
and Ghodaghodi tal.
In Nepal, a general terminology to denote lake in Nepali
language is Tal (pronounced Taal) which generally refers
to large water bodies of natural origin. Beside this, there
are few other synonyms are Kunda, Sagar, Sarowar
Pokhari, Daha. It is estimated that nearly one fourth of
Nepal’s biodiversity is wetland/lake dependent. Wetland
plants provide food, forage and cover for both domestic
and wild animals. About 172 species of the major wetland
plants have been reported. Out of 874 bird species found
in Nepal, 193 are known to be dependent on wetlands. Of
these wetland-dependent species, about 187 are known to
be dependent on the wetlands of the Terai.
% About 17% of the Nepali population from 21 ethnic
51 communities have traditionally based their livelihood on
8 wetland. Lakes in all the ecological ranges have high
2 religious and cultural values. Although there is no clear
39 ownership over the lakes, they are managed by various
100 institutions including the Village Development
Committees, user groups, trusts etc. The resources of
lakes were used for multiple purposes including
irrigation, livestock management, domestic purposes,
recreation, hydropower production, ecotourism etc.
Lake resources have been used for various purposes. The
resources of lowland lakes were used mostly for
irrigation, followed by plant as food, animal as food
while other use includes water for cattle use, bathing,
washing etc. It was found that midland lakes were highly
used for recreational purposes like boating and
swimming. Water of midland lakes was found to be used
for drinking purpose as it was not observed in lowland
lakes. It was studied that midland lakes were more
exploited for their resources use than lowland lakes.
There are a number of highland lakes where water has
been in use for human as well as animal drinking
purpose. Highland lakes have been used for recreational
purpose and water as a drinking source, where the lakes
has been equally exploited for religious, traditional
medicine and water for animal purpose. The common
resource uses in all the ecological zones are traditional
medicine, recreation and religeous activities (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Lake Resource Use
Lowland
Midland
Highland
26-29, 2010
Issues and suggestions pertinent to lakes were identified
and collected at various stages of strategic planning
process, especially appreciative inquiry, expert's
consultation, field consultations and observations. They
are categorized into three main components, namely
policy (governance), natural science (conservation) and
livelihood (sustainable development).
The policy related issues are pertinent to Definition,
Delineation, Nomenclature, Planning, Legislation,
NLCDC organization, Partnership and Coordination,
Commitments for Ramsar Convention, and Community
User Groups. The issues and suggestions pertinent to
natural science include Indicator Species, Water Quality,
Table 4: Summary of Outputs and Selected Activitie s
Outputs
• umbrella legislation for conservation,
sustainable use and equitable distribution
of lake resources
• NLCDC transformed into a fully
Governance
authorized body
• partnership and coordination among lake
stakeholders
• a system of implementing commitments to
the Ramsar convention
• 2,500 lakes community user groups formed
• Key indicator aquatic species of micro and
macro fauna and flora stabilized
• water quality of the representative 500
Lakes Conservation
sample lakes brought within the acceptable
limits
• water bodies of 1,000 priority lakes and the
land use of their surroundings restored
and/or maintained
• library, documentation center, lake
database, education, and research works
institutionalized
• standard of living of 50,000 households
improved from sustainable fishery and
aquatic plant harvests, eco-tourism, and
other lake related income opportunities
Sustainable Development
• 1,000 lakes are managed by the local
communities
• visitors increased in lake-tourism potential
districts
• lake dependent households participated in
lake conservation
• Small physical infrastructures (e.g. trails,
sign posts, sheds), basic services (e.g.
drinking water, boating), and conservation
activities (e.g. lake clean-up) established
and institutionalized in 25 priority districts
National Lake Strategic plan for Nepal Process and Contents
Water Bodies, Database, Watershed management, and
Education and Research. Similarly, the livelihood issues
and suggestions are on Sustainable Living, Community
management, Tourism, Sustainable Use, Lake Education
and Awareness, and Physical Infrastructures.
Program
The Vision and Goal of the strategic Plan have been made
compatible to the organizational goals of NLCDC. The
plan contains a logical framework that stipulates purposes
and outputs backed with activities and indicators. They
are summarized under the three main domains (Table 4).
Selected activities
• Initiate lake registration systems at District
Development Committees and NLCDC
• Establish Lake Management Information System
• Initiate Lakes coordination forum
• Prepare and implement Ramsar sites management
plan
• Conduct public awareness and extension
programs
• prepare and implement key indicator species
conservation plans
• develop protocols for water quality monitoring in
the lakes
• monitor water quality in 500 sample lakes
• prepare bathymetric maps of 1,000 priority lakes
• develop lake database systems
• upgrade NLCDC library and documentation
center
• prepare and implement lake components in the
land use/watershed management plans
• establish lake education and research center
• Organize training for lake dependent households
in sustainable fishery, plants harvesting
techniques and ecotourism activities
• Initiate income generating activities from lakes
• Initiate community management of lakes
• Prepare and implement eco-tourism operational
plans in 25 lake districts
• Prepare and implement lakes conservation
education action plans for schools and
communities
• Establish lake museums and information centers
in five priority lake districts
• Develop lake friendly physical infrastructures
(e.g. trails, sign posts, sheds), basic services (e.g.
drinking water, boating), and conservation
activities (e.g. lake clean-up)
51
The five criteria adopted for the prioritization of lake districts are as follows (Table 5):

Table 5: Scales and Scores for Prioritization*

Criteria Very Low 1 Low 2 Medium 3 High 4 Very High 5
Number of lakes < 71 72 to 142 >143 to 213 214 to 284 285 and above
(NLCDC, 2009)
Human Population up to 177853 to 344194 344195 to 510536 510537 to 676879 and
(CBS, 2009) 177,852 676878 above
Human Development Less than 0.400-0.449 0.450- 0.499 0.500- 0.549 0.550 and
Index (UNDP, 2004) 0.400 over
Watershed conditions Good Fairly Good Marginal Poor Very Poor
(DSCWM, 2009)
Conservation None At least one Up to two Up to three More than
significance (NBRB, recognition recognitions recognitions three
2007) recognitions
* Details of calculations are given in the Annexes of the Strategic Plan

Business plan
The total budget for the implementation of the activities
is Rs1,369,100,000. Its allocations are as follows: 32%
for the construction, 28% for the equipment, 12% each
for the remuneration and human resource development,
9% for travel and 7% for the office running costs.
Similarly, of the total budget, 55% has been allocated for
the livelihood components, 41 for the natural science, and
4% for the policy (Table 6). Reflecting on the schedule of
the strategic plan, the budget trend rises in the third and
fifth years when most of the activities especially
construction works will be concentrated.

Table 6: Budget Breakdown by Line Items (Rupees in Thousands)

Remuneration

Construction
Components

Equipment
Travel

Total
ORC
HRD

Policy 9,300 13,150 9,100 2,450 8,900 6,700 49,600

Natural Science 37,950 38,700 32,300 210,500 211,000 35,500 565,950
Livelihood 122,700 112,350 88,500 165,000 216,000 49,000 753,550
Total 169,950 164,200 129,900 377,950 435,900 91,200 1,369,100
% 12 12 9 28 32 7 100

Figure 2: Human Resources (person-months) Similarly physical infrastructure construction and

production of materials have been identified mostly under
Policy, the components of livelihood and natural science.
186, 5%
Natural
Science, The main potential sources of funds considered for the
759, 22% purposes of the Strategic Plan implementation include the
government budget, the NLCDC Internal Source and the
grants from various donor partners.
Considering their key roles and technical strengths in
respect to the activities identified in the Strategic Plan,
twenty four partner organizations have been identified.
They range from the government ministries and
Livelihood, departments to the national and international
nongovernmental organizations.
2454, 73%
The NLCDC will lead, facilitate and/or coordinate
Of the total 6,798 person-months of professionals that
depending upon the nature of the works identified in the
will be required for the implementation of the strategic
strategic plan. The partner organizations may either
plan, 73% will be engaged in the implementation of
implement independently or jointly. NLCDC and partner
livelihood activities, 22% in the natural science and 5% in
organization will consider active participation of the
the policy (Figure 2). Most of the equipment costs have
stakeholders during implementation (Figure 3).
been included under the natural science and livelihood.

52 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
 Conceptualization and Review and Feedback from Partners
Draft Preparation (NAST, NTNC, MTCA Planning division
NLCDC DHM, DNPWC, DSCWM, DoF)

Finalization of Plans/Proposals
NLCDC and Partners

Independent Programs Joint Programs

NLCDC and Partners Government for
Annual Budget

NLCDC Partners
NLCDC Internal
Submission for
Source
Funding

Donors for Grant

Implementation

Independent Programs Joint Programs

NLCDC Partners NLCDC and

Partners

Coordination with Stakeholders Monitoring, Evaluation and Feedback

Figure 3: Implementation Mechanism of the National Lake Strategic Plan

Acknowledgements Bhuju, Ukesh Raj, P.R. Shakya, T.B. Basnet, and S.

• Participants of the appreciative inquiries including
senior professionals, officials of the government, non-
government and donor organizations, tourism
entrepreneurs
Shresha. 2007. Nepal Biodiversity Resource
Book 2007: Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites and
World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu: ICIMOD,
Ministry of Environment, Science and
Technology, Nepal Nature dot Com, UNEP

• Researchers of the International Union for Nature
Conservation (IUCN) Nepal Office, the Nepal
Academy of Sciences and Technology (NAST), the
National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), and
the Tribhuvan University - Central Department of
Environmental Science (TU-CDES)
• Participants of the focus group discussions, district
level consultations and central level workshops and
meeting
References
Bhuju, Ukesh Raj, M. Khadka, P.K. Neupane and R.
Adhikari. 2009. Lakes of Nepal: 5358 - A Map
Based Inventory, National Lakes Strategic Plan
Preparation (Report). Kathmandu: Government
of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism and Civil
Aviation, National Lakes Conservation
Development Committee (November 2009)
CSUWN. 2010. Simsar Varnamala. Kathmandu:
Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands
in Nepal

Bhuju, Dinesh Raj and S. Sharma. 2010. Scientific
Understanding of Lakes and Ponds. Kathmandu:
National Lakes Conservation Development
Committee (Theme Paper Prepared for the
National Lakes Strategic Plan, March 2010)
DNPWC and WWF. 2006. Factsheet Rara Lake.
Department of National Parks and Wildlife
Conservation and WWF Nepal Program
DOAD. 1992. National Fisheries Development Plan,
1992/93. Fisheries Development Division,

National Lake Strategic plan for Nepal Process and Contents 53

 Department of Agriculture Development,
HMGN, Kathmandu, Nepal.
http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-
home/main/ramsar/1_4000_0__ 30/07/2010
http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-pubs-annolist-
annotated-ramsar-16499/main/ramsar/1-30-
168%5E16499_4000_0__ August 5, 2010
IUCN-Nepal. 1996. An Inventory of Nepal’s Wetlands.
IUCN-Nepal, Kathmandu.
Jnawali, S.R., J.B. Karki and S. Adhikari. 2010. Socio-
Economic Aspect of the Lake Ecosystems in
Nepal. Kathmandu: National Lakes
Conservation Development Committee (Theme
54 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
Paper Prepared for the National Lakes Strategic
Plan, March 2010)
Mool, P, S.R. Bajracharya, and S.P. Joshi. 2001.
Inventory of Glaciers, Glacial Lakes and Glacial
Lake Outburst Floods: Monitoring and Early
Warning Systems in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan
Region – Nepal. Kathmandu: ICIMOD
Survey Department. 2007. Topographical Sheets field
verified during 1992 & 2001 (1:25,000 and
1:50,000 scales). Kathmandu: Survey
Department, Government of Nepal
http://www.dos.gov.np/bigmap.html
 Paper 9
A Case Study of Raja-Rani Lake in Dhankuta District
Rajendra Khanal1 and Juna Giri2
1
Project Coordinator IUCN, Nepal
2
M.Sc. Environmental Science, Khwopa College, Rresearch fellow, IUCN
Abstract: Wetlands in Nepal possess outstanding
significance. Though high biological, economic,
cultural/religious and recreational values and of crucial
importance to local livelihood, most wetlands in Nepal are
under considerable threats of loss and degradation. Due to
heavy dependence, negligence for their conservation and
management and inadequate research wetland are in verge
of extinction.
Raja-Rani Tal (Lake) has its own importance is too facing
the problem of loss and degradation. Till to date any
research has not been carried out on this Tal from any
institution and sector. There is lack of information about
the threats that causes loss and degradation of Raja-Rani
Tal. Therefore, it seems necessary to carry out detail study
about the existing threats. Thus collected information will
benefit organization, communities, local people and
stakeholders for the conservation and management of this
site and area. So this study is planned to carry out with
technical and financial support from IUCN.
Keywords: Biodiversity, community, conservation,
threats.
1. Introduction
Raja-Rani Tal is located in Raja-Rani VDC of Dhankuta
District in eastern Nepal. This is a mid-hill wetland which
is situated at the base of the Mahabharat range at an
elevation of 1610masl (26o52'52.2"N & 87o26'8.6"E). It is
at a distance of 35km from Dharan and lies at the middle
part on the way to east. Raja-Rani Tal is surrounded by
small hills such as Basantatar in the east, Dadabazar in the
west, Mainabudhuk in the north and Patigaun in the south.
Bio-climatically it lies in the subtropical zone with annual
rain-fall 1200mm per year, average annual temperature-
maximum 20oC and minimum -4oC and humidity 85%.
Figure 1: Social map of Raja-Rani VDC
2. Methodology
Primary Data- The primary data collection is the task of
fieldwork phase, where field visit in the research area was
carried out (22 to 28 February). Transect walk,
questionnaire survey, key informant interview, direct field
observation and focus group discussion was done during
field visit to collect primary data.
Secondary Data- The secondary data collection is the task
of desk work phase, where number of literature study was
carried out through the review of available literatures.
Visit to different departments, NGO, searching various
website related to the study area was also done.
3. Result
Biodiversity of Raja-Rani Lake
The study area harbors diverse species of plants, birds, and
animals. They are listed below.
Different plant species; shrubs, herbs, trees, fodders,
flowering plants, medicinal and aromatic plants, NIFPs
were observed in the watershed of Raja-Rani Lake such as
Alnus nepalensis, Schima wallichii, Shorea robusta,
Castanopsis indica, Rhododendron sp , F.lacor, boom
grass, Swertia chirrata, etc. of which Alnus nepalensis is
the one among the dominant species as above.
The study area is the home for various kinds of bird
species; such as Red jungle fowl, Red-Vented Bulbul, Scaly
Thrust, Spiny Babbler, Commen Koel, White-throated
Kingfisher hoopoe Asian Pied starling.
Raja-Rani Lake supports animal species like Pangolin,
hare, deer, leopard, porcupine, jungle cat, jungle cat,
jackal, goral, squirrel, and bats. Also reptile golden
monitor lizard called sun ghori in Nepali was listed from
the study area.
Community role in the conservation
Conservation activity is being initiated in Raja-Rani Lake
through local effort. At present about 10 ha area of Rani
Lake has been conserved by removing invasive species. A
dam of 25m long and 1m width has been constructed on
the southern part to store water in Rani Lake which is
shown in figure 2.
 Figure 2: Dam construction
Wetland dependency
People living in the Raja-Rani Lake are the main wetland
resource users. They depend on wetland for fodder,
livestock grazing and fishing. Grazing as well as fodder
collection is common in and around the Lake area. Fish
farming is being leased for three years.
Existing Threat to Raja-Rani Lake
Raja-Rani Lake is facing the problem of (a) pollution;
solid waste disposal, discharge of domestic sewage
deteriorates lake environment that enhances the growth of
invasive species in lake, (b) sedimentation; Lake receives
significant amount of sediment load during rainy season
from adjacent hills, agricultural land and bank cutting, (c)
encroachment; land conversion for agricultural practice
and infrastructure development are two main cause for
loss of Raja-Rani Lake, (d) invasive species; entire area of
Raja-Rani lake remain under grown by excessive growth
of invasive species: toadrush (guth), cat tail (pater), water
cress (sim rayo), and other water weeds.
Figure 3: Invasive species
4. Conclusion
Wetlands are arguably the most important ecosystem on
the planet providing essential services that sustain healthy
wildlife population, human communities and economic.
Raja-Rani Lake has its own significance in terms of
biodiversity, hydrology, social culture, religious, scenic
beauty, and economic values. It is the habitat of spiny
babbler which is the endemic species of Nepal. It offers
56 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
great potential of eco-tourism which has two folded
advantage; firstly it enhances conservation of wetland and
secondly it provide economic benefit to local people
which helps to uplift their livelihood.
Despite its importance and significance it is facing the
problem of loss and degradation due to lack of
management and conservation. Local communities
recognize the importance and are willing to conserve Raja-
Rani Lake as a result conservation practice is being
initiated from local effort. The main constrains for its
management and conservation are lack of research and
financial resources.
5. References
Bhandari, Bishnu B., (2005), High Altutude Wetlands of
Nepal- Views & Reviews and Conservation. IUCN,
Nepal.
Bhandari, Bishnu B., (2009), Preliminary Inventory of
Nepal's Wetland. Kathmandu, IUCN Nepal.
Bhuju, U.R., Shakaya, P.R., Basnet, T.B. and Shrestha,
Subha. (2007), Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book.
ICIMOD, MOEST & UNEP, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Chaudhary, R.P, (1998), Biodiversity in Nepal- Status and
Conservation, Bangkok, Thailand.
CSUWN, Simsar Varnamala. GEF and UNDP,
Katamandu, Nepal.
IUCN Nepal (2004), A Review of the Status and Threats
to Wetland in Nepal.
MFSC (2002), Nepal Biodiversity Strategy, UNDP &
GEF, Kathmandu, Nepal.
MFSC, (2003), National Wetland Policy (2003), IUCN,
WWF, DNPWC, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Sha, J.P. (1997), Koshi Tappu Wetland, Nepal's Ramsar
Site. IUCN, Bangkok, Thailand.
Sherstha, T.B. (1999). Nepal Country Report on
Biological Diversity. Kathmandu, IUCN Nepal.
WWF, Factsheet, Wetlands of Nepal. WWF Kathmandu,
Nepal.
Websites
1. www.ramsar.org
2. www.google.org
3. www.wetlandnepal.com
4. www.bcn.com
 Paper 12

Morphometry,
orphometry, Water Quality and Sedimentation of Phewa Lake, Pokhara,
Nepal
Shrestha,, Gyan Kumar Chhipi1 and Pradhan,, Ananta Man Singh2

1 Lecturer, Central Department of Environmental Science (CDES), Tribhuvan University

(gshrestha@cdes.edu.np )
2 Engineering Geologist, Department of Electricity Development, GoN; Guest Faculty, CDES
(anantageo@gmail.com )

Abstract: The Phewa Lake is one of the prominent 1662 masl). Pokhara valley is an anticlinorium whose
tourist attractions of Pokhara close to Annapurna axial plane runs NW-SE SE almost parallel to Seti River.
Mountain Range. The morphometric parameters were Pokhara velley is fluvio-glacial
glacial and partly lacustrine
determined by the field survey in September
ptember and October, deposit whose parent materials throughout the watershed
2007 whereas for the analysis of water quality, the field is grey-phyllitic schist. Sub-tropical
tropical Riveraine forest is
survey was carried out in October, 2009. The depth of found near the Lake and lower reaches of Harpan
Harpa khola
Phewa Lake was measured by randomly dipping Heavy where Castanopsis spp., Alnus spp,
spp and Schima spp. are
Grab sampler at 107 sites of the lake and the site was dominant. The land cover map of the Phewa watershed is
located using GPS (Global Positioning System). These shown in Figure 1.
sites and depths were plotted in digital topographic map
and calculated morphometric parameters using GIS Figure 1: Land cover map of Phewa watershed
software ArcView 3.3. Altogether, 25 sites were selected
for water quality determination and Von Dorn water
sampler was used to collect water samples from different
depths of each site. The dissolved oxygen of surface
water is above 5 mg/L indicating suitable for aquatic life
however it is lower than that at deeper water. This
indicates that the water quality of the lake
la is moderate but
is gradually started its deterioration at some sites due to
the inflow of open drainage containing sewage and solid
wastes. The Phewa lake having water of volume of
30,358,882 m3 and maximum depth of 22.75 meters has
high sedimentation that is triggered by bank erosion of
the inlet streams, intensive land use practice without due
consideration to soil erosion and frequent debris flow in
the steep slopes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to Figure 2: Sampling sites for water
control sedimentation and also organic load inflow
inf into
the lake. For this, complete catchment should be taken
into action and local funds can be generated through
Payment for Ecosystem Service (PES) mechanism.

Keywords: Bathymetric map, morphometry,

sedimentation, water quality

1. Introduction

Phewa watershed lies in the Mahabharat Range and is

situated in the western part of Pokhara Valley, Kaski
District of Nepal. It lies within the latitude of 28°11′37″ to
28°17′26″ N and longitude of 83°48′02″ ′02″ to 85°59′18″ E
which drains into Phewa Lake. The topographytopog varies
Phewa Lake is one of the prominent tourist attractions of
from 850 m at the lake to 2500 m at Panchaase peak. The
Pokhara close to Annapurna Mountain Range It supplies
major river of the catchment, the Harpan Khola drains
water for Hydro Electricity Power Station and irrigation
into Seti River and thus forms part of the Gandaki
to approx. 320 hectares of agricultural land. Conservation
(Narayani) river basin. The climate is humid sub-tropical
sub
of Phewa Lake from siltation and pollution has become a
to humid temperate by a monsoonal rainfall pattern.
topic of national interest. The lake watershed lies in the
Mean temperature at Pokhara (850m) ranges from 12°C in
fragile physiographic region which experiences intense
Dec/Jan. to 25°C in July/August. Average annual rainfall
monsoon rainfall events. Intensive land use and
is 3850mm (Airport, t, elev. 854m) to 5200mm (Lumle
construction of roads without due consideration to
conservation measures are the major causes of erosion Figure 3: Variation of Dissolved oxygen at different
process in the watershed. This has transported enormous site
amount of sediments to the lake, thus reducing its
25
capacity.
22
19
2. Methodology 16

Site
13
For the determination of morphometric parameters and 10
preparation of bathymetric map, the field survey was 7
conducted in September and October, 2007. The depth of 4
Phewa Lake were measured were measured manually by 1
randomly dipping Heavy Grab sampler at 107 sites of the
lake and the site was located using GPS (Global 0 5 10 15
Positioning System). These sites and depths were plotted
in digital topographic map and calculated morphometric Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
parameters using GIS software (ArcView 3.3 software).
For the analysis of water quality, the field survey was
carried in October, 2009. Water sampling sites were Figure 4: Bethymetric Map of Phewa Lake
selected using transect lines in combination with random
procedures. Altogether, 25 sites were selected for water
sampling which is shown in Fig. 2 and water samples
were collected using Von Dorn water sampler. The water
quality was analyzed using APHA 1998 and Trivedi and
Goel 1987.

3. Results

Morphometry

The morphometric parameters of the Phewa Lake are

given in Table 1.

Table 1: Morphometric parameters Table 2: Water quality of Phewa Lake

Parameters Value Parameters Mean ±S.D. Range
Shape Elongated irregular Temp. (0C) 24.82± 1.01 23.00 - 28.00
Maximum depth 22.75m Dissolve Oxygen (mg/L) 7.87± 1.17 5.27 - 9.65
Mean depth 11m Chloride (mg/l) 36.50 ± 40.85 0.98 - 151.37
Surface area 4.473 km2 pH 7.61 ±0.41 6.80 - 8.20
Total Hardness (mg/L 26.82 ± 14.42 0.16 - 50.00
Shoreline 19.275 km
as CaCO3)
Maximum length 4.352 Km Total Alkalinity (mg/L 46.08± 14.41 25.00 - 90.00
Width 1919.68 m as CaCO3)
Water volume 30,358,882 m3 Secchi disc 3.40 ± 1.05 1.41 - 4.90
Mean basin slope 120 transparency (m)
EC (uS/cm) 40.60± 19.40 17.00 - 60.00
Bathymetric Map Total Dissolved Solids 26.39 ± 12.61 11.05 - 39.00
(mg/L)
The bathymetric map of the lake is shown in Figure 4.
The maximum depth observed was 22.75 meters in the Figure 5: Vertical variation of temperature at site 19
lake. However, deep trenches of nearly 20 meters depth 0
were observed in two areas at the southern parts near 21 22 23 24 25 26
Anadu village. -5
Depth (m)

Water Quality -10

The water quality status of the lake is shown in Tab. 2. -15

Dissolved oxygen, one of the best indicators of water y = 4.75x - 121.4
quality, of different sites is shown in Fig. 3. Similarly, the R² = 0.912
-20
vertical distribution of temperature and dissolved oxygen Temperature (0C)
for the typical site 19 is shown in Fig. 5 and 6.

58 National Seminar on "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes" March 26-29, 2010
Figure 6: Vertical variation of Dissolved oxygen at site
19
5
0 erosion in the stream particularly in Harpan khola which
0 5 10 15
Depth ( m)
-5
-10
-15
y = 2.565x - 24.99
-20 R² = 0.924
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
The mean Secchi disc transparency of the lake was 3.4
±1.05 m and ranged from 1.41 to 4.90 m classifying it as
‘turbid’ (between 0.25 m to 2.5 m) to ‘clear’ (between 2.5
m to 25 m) based on classification of water bodies of the
Asian Wetland Inventory (AWI) Manual 2002. The
turbidity may be due to siltation from feeding streams,
addition of organic load through drainage and polluted
streams. Similarly, the mean dissolved oxygen content of
the lake was 7.91 ±1.16 mg/L and varied from 5.27 to
9.65 mg/L. The dissolved oxygen of the surface water
was always above 5 mg/L indicating suitable for aquatic
life whereas the deeper layer water had dissolved oxygen
below 5 mg/L indicating less suitable for aquatic life
including fishes.
The dissolved oxygen decreased towards bottom probably
because of less oxygen production (photosynthesis) at the
bottom layer water due to light attenuation inside water
and less phytoplankton population at higher depths. In
addition, the surface water is in direct contact with the
atmospheric oxygen whereas the inner is not. The
chloride content of the lake water was 36.50 ± 40.85
mg/L and ranged from 0.98 to 151.37 mg/L. In pristine
freshwater, chloride concentrations are usually lower than
10 mg/L and sometimes below 2 mg/L. Therefore, some
sites were still pristine whereas others are polluted by the
inflow of drainage. The probable sources of chloride are
weathering of some sedimentary rocks, sewage effluents,
agricultural and road run-off. This shows that the water
quality of the Phewa lake was moderate but is gradually
started its deterioration at some sites may be due to the
inflow of open drainage containing sewage and solid
wastes.
Sedimentation
Sedimentation is one of the major concerns of this lake
that has threatened its life. The estimated water volume of
the lake is 30,358,882 m3 with the maximum depth of
22.75 meters. However, DSC in 1994 measured the
maximum depth of 23.4 m and estimated the original lake
volume of 37,765,030 m3 with the annual sedimentation
rate of 175,000 to 225,000 m3 and Sthapit and Balla in
1999 observed the maximum depth of 23.6 m and
estimated the lake capacity of 42.18 million m3 with the
annual sedimentation rate of 180,000 m3. It shows that
the lake volume is highly decreased at present. It is
probably due to siltation. However, the large difference
Morphometry, Water Quality and Sedimentation of Phewa Lake, Pokhara, Nepal
may be partly due to the difference in seasons of study
and different methods used for the various investigations.
The high siltation in the lake may be due to the high bank
is triggered by intense rain and intensive land use practice
without considering the soil conservation measures. In
addition, the larger portion of the lake basin is comprised
by moderate to high slope represented by the Kuncha
Formation made up of grey-green phyllites and quartzites
and Fagfog Quartzite. These slopes are highly prone to
landslides generating loose sediments to be eroded easily
and deposited in the lake. The landslide hazard map also
termed as Sediment Resource Map of Phewa watershed
shows that 28% of the area is under high hazard zone,
61% under moderate hazard zone and 10% under low
hazard zone. It has mapped 68 landslides covering about
4.94 sq km in the Phewa basin. For the control of
sedimentation, the complete catchment should be taken
into action rather than confining within shoreline. The
local people should be mobilized and local funds can be
generated through Payment for Ecosystem Service (PES)
mechanism like boating levies, fish levies, water use fees,
pollution charge etc.
4. Conclusion
The Phewa Lake having area of 4.473 sq. km and water
of volume of 30,358,882 m3 has the maximum depth of
22.75 meters. It has two deep trenches each more than 20
meters. The water quality of the lake is moderate but
showed the water quality deterioration at some sites. The
lake is under severe pressure of sedimentation triggered
by high bank erosion of the inlet streams, intensive land
use without due consideration to soil erosion and frequent
debris flows in the high slopes. There is an urgent need to
control sedimentation and also organic load inflow. For
this, complete catchment should be taken into action and
local funds can be generated through Payment of
Ecosystem Service (PES) mechanism.
Acknowledgment
Authors would like to thank the students of MSc in
Environmental Science (2007/08 and 2009/2010 batch).
5. References
APHA/AWWA/WEF (American Public Health
Association/American Water Works Association/
Water Environment federation). 1995. Standard
methods for the examination of Water and Waste
water, 19th edition, American Public Health
Association. 1015 Fifteenth Street, NW,
Washington DC.20005. pp 1–4 to 3-76, 4-12, 5-15,
9-53, 9 – 63, 10-58, 10-70, 1998.
Asian Wetland Inventory (AWI). 2002. Manual, A
Manual for an Inventory of Asian Wetlands
Version 1.0. C.M. Finlayson, G. W. Begg, J.
Howes, J. Davies, K. Tagi and J. Lowry. Wetlands
International Global Series 10. pp 37.
59
CEC. 1978. Council Directive of 18 July 1978 on the
quality of freshwaters needing protection or
improvement in order to support fish life.
(78/659/EEC) CEC (Commission of European
Community) Official Journal. L/222. 1 – 10 pp,
1978.
DSC. 1994. Sedimentation Survey of Phewa Lake. HMG
Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation,
Department of Soil Conservation (DSC), Research
and Soil Conservation Sections. June 1994. pp 1-
26.
Environment Canada. 1987. Canadian Water Quality
Guidelines (with updates). Prepared by the Task
force on Water Quality Guidelines of the Canadian
Council of Resource Ministry, Environment
Canada, Ottawa.
Golterman, H.L., P.G. Sly and R.L Thomas1983. Study
of the Relationship between Water Quality and
Sediment Transport. United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris, pp 231.
Pradhan, A.M.S. 2008. Probablistic Landslide Hazard On
Regional Scale Using Gis-A Case Study From
Phewa Watershed, Nepal In: Bulletin of
Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention.
60 National Seminar on "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes" March 26-29, 2010
PTTR. 1985. Management plane for the integrated
development of phewa watershed 1980-1985.
Phewa Tal Technical Report no. 12.
FOD/NEP/74/020 field document. Kathmandu,
1980.
Sthapit and Balla. 1998. Sedimentation Monitoring of
Phewa Lake, Kaski, Nepal. In: Sustainable Forest
Management. Proceedings of an International
Seminar 31 Aug -2 Sept 1998. Institute of
Forestry, Tribhun University, Pokhara, Nepal. Ed:
Mathema, I.C Dutta, M. Balla and S. N. Adhikary.
Pp 317 – 327, 1999.
Trivedi, R.K., and P.K. Goel. 1986. Chemical and
Biological Methods for Water Pollution Studies.
Department of Environmental pollution, Karad,
India. pp 1-75.
UNESCO. 1996. Water Quality Assessments – A Guide
to Use of Biota, Sediments and Water in
Environmental Monitoring – Second Edition.
Chapman, D.(ed.) on behalf of United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO),
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
E and FN Spon, an imprint of Chapman and Hall.
Lessons Learning Session Continue
Lake Conservation in Nepal
Chaired by Adlina S. Borja
Chief, Research and Development, Head of Carbon Finance Unit
Laguna Lake Development Authority, Club Manila East Compound,
Taytay Rizal, Philippines

Scientific Committee Member

International Lake Environment Committee Foundation
Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
 Paper 11

Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal: Lessons from the

Ghodaghodi Lake Area, Western Nepal

Top B. Khatri1 and Shalu Adhikari1*

1
Government of Nepal, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal
(GoN/UNDP/GEF), Babermahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
*
Corresponding author- shalu@wetlands.org.np

Abstract: With occupancy of 2.6% of the total land
mass, wetlands are some of the most diverse and
productive ecosystems in Nepal that are spread across
different physiographical zones. With a representation of
9 wetlands of international importance, Ghodaghodi Lake
Area (GLA) situated in the Far-Western Terai of Nepal
was designated as the Ramsar site in August 2003. This
paper is a review of experience and lessons learnt through
intervention carried out by Conservation & Sustainable
Use of Wetlands in Nepal (GoN/UNDP/GEF) in order to
conserve and manage the GLC through active
participation of local communities. With defined
outcomes and targeted outputs, the project has been
successful in creating a baseline on the socio-economic
dimension by identifying 37.6% as wetland dependent
communities (WDCs) and establishing Cotton Pigmy
Goose, Marsh Mugger Crocodile and Wild Rice as
biological indicator species for GLA. To foster inter-
sectoral cooperation and coordination among
stakeholders, the project has been successful in
establishing a Multi-Stakeholder Forum, an apex body for
conservation & wise use of GLA. The project aims to
come up with a comprehensive catchment level
management plan to address the current and
contemporary issues related to wetland conservation, its
ecological integrity and wise use of its resources.
Keywords: Wetlands, Ghodaghodi Lake Area, Local
participation, Indicator, Management plan, Ecological
integrity
1. Introduction
Wetlands are some of the most diverse and productive
ecosystems in Nepal. It is estimated that wetlands cover
about 2.6% of the country's total surface area (NBS,
2002) and are spread across different physiographic
zones. These wetlands range from permanent fast flowing
rivers to seasonal streams, high altitude glacial lakes to
low land oxbow lakes, ghols to swamps and marshy
lands, river flood plains to paddy fields and from
constructed reservoir to village ponds. Owing to the
significance of wetlands on various aspects like
biodiversity richness, livelihood of wetland dependent
community, culture and religious importance, Nepal
became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands on 17th April 1988. Presently, Nepal now has
nine wetlands of International Importance. This paper is a
review of experience and lessons learnt through
intervention carried out by Conservation and Sustainable
Use of Wetlands in Nepal in order to conserve and
manage one of terai's important wetland Ghodaghodi
Lake through active participation of local communities.
2. Conservation and Sustainable Use of
Wetlands in Nepal
Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal
(CSUWN) is a joint undertaking of the Government of
Nepal (GoN), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and
United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The
project is executed by Ministry of Forests and Soil
Conservation (MFSC). Department of Forests (DoF) and
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
(DNPWC) are the major partners of the project.
The project has a broader goal to ensure the maintenance
and enhancement of wetland biodiversity and
environmental goods and services for improved local
livelihoods in Nepal. It aims to strengthen national and
local capacity in ecosystem management and sustainable
use of wetland biodiversity in Nepal. The outcome
expected by the projects include wetland biodiversity
conservation values integrated into national policy and
planning framework; strengthened national institutional,
technical and economic capacity and awareness for
wetland biodiversity conservation and sustainable use;
and enhanced collaborative management of wetland
resources for conservation and sustainable livelihood.
The project is being implemented in two Ramsar sites of
Nepal: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) and
Ghodaghodi Lake Area (GLA) since 2009.
Figure 1: Map of Nepal with PAs and the project sites
(Source: CSUWN)
3. Ghodaghodi Lake Area (GLA)
With an area of 2726 hectare (ha), GLA is spread over
Darakh, Ramsikharjhala and Sandepani VDCs of Kailali
district at an altitude of 205m asl in Western Nepal. The
area was designated as a Wetland of International
Importance under the Ramsar Wetland Convention on
13th August 2003 (Ramsar No. 1314). The land cover
type of the area includes forest 52.5%, degraded forest
3%, grassland 1.8%, agriculture land 34.5%,
highway/greenbelt 0.5%, sand/riverbed 1.6% and lakes
6.1%. GLA includes 20 natural, permanent or seasonal
lakes with area ranging from 2 to 138 ha, the largest
being the Ghodaghodi Lake followed by Nakhrodi and
Baishwa. Most of the lakes remain marshy during dry
season except Ghodaghodi and Nakhrodi. These lakes
receive water from direct precipitation, watershed and
small streams.
GLA harbors about 34 species of mammals, 450 species
of plants and 140 species of birds, both migrant and
resident, representing over 16% of national avifauna
(Project document, CSUWN 2009). The lake hosts about
1% of the Asian population of Cotton Pigmy Goose
(Nettapus coromandelianus). A total of 29 fish species
have been recorded including the threatened Puntius
chola and the endemic Notopterus notopterus and
Oxygaster bacaila. The area is an important wildlife
corridor between the terai and the Siwalik hills.
The total population of the area is about 57,064 from
8,249 HHs of which 37.6% are Wetland Dependent
Communities (WDC) (Baseline Report, 2009) that
directly dependent upon wetland resources for their
livelihood.
4. CSUWN at GLA
1. Indicator species established: In order to ensure
ecosystem health, three indicator species based on the
threatened status at global level, importance and
uniqueness of associated wetlands namely Cotton
Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus, Marsh
Mugger Crocodile Crocodylus palustris and Wild Rice
Oryza spp were established in 2009. Scientific
monitoring protocols have been developed for periodic
monitoring of these species. A total of 188 individuals
of Goose, 12 individuals of Marsh Mugger were
recorded during the count of January 2010. Similarly,
3.6 ha of the area under wild rice have been mapped.
Ghodaghodi, Tendi and Tinchatiya lakes harbor wild
rice, one of the largest patches in Nepal.
2. A functional Multi Stakeholder Forum (MSF)
formed: In order to coordinate, collaborate and
cooperate for internalizing wetland's issues and concern
into local level planning, MSC has been launched
under the Chair of District Forests Coordination
64 , , National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
Committee (DFCC) and Wetland Management
Committee as its apex body on 22nd February 2010.
The members are representative from district level
government line agencies, VDC-chair, student's
wetland clubs, teacher's network, CFUGs, NGOs and
Water User Associations for collaborative management
approach for conservation and wise use potential.
3. Area verification of GLA: The area as mentioned in
RIS ie, 2563 ha of the GLA was verified using 2.5m
spatial resolution image of 2007 and field verification
through Global Positioning System (GPS) during 2009.
Field maps have been prepared using GIS and the total
area covered by GLA is now to be 2726 ha.
4. Catchment level Management Plan prepared: The
project has completed the preparation of catchment
level management plan to address the current and
contemporary issues related to wetland conservation,
its ecological integrity and wise use of its resources.
The area included in the plan are Churia ridge in the
north, the ridge of Kandra river catchment in the east,
the ridge of Doda river catchment in the west (in the
Churia hills) and the confluence of these rivers in the
plains to give a complete shape.
Water regulation and water recharge potentials, inclusion
of potential intakes for water recharge in the GLA and the
vertical –horizontal connectivity of Basanta Corridor and
Churia range are the basis of the catchment identification.
The plan proposes an area of 9648ha with an overall
vision "Improved livelihoods of local communities by
their active participation and concerned partners support
in wise use of wetlands and its products, sustainable
forest resource management, downstream and upstream
linkages, biodiversity conservation and protection of
Churia hills". Various management interventions have
been proposed for specific zones such as different forests,
lakes and Lake Buffer, agriculture land and river.
Conservation along with development have been given
due consideration in the plan. Potential sources for
sustainable financing for the implementation of the plan
have included while DFCC/MSF is considered as the
apex body for planning and monitoring of the programme
implementation.
IUCN and WWF have earlier prepared periodic
conservation action plan focusing on the lake area to cater
to the need of Ramsar Convention. The current
management plan will build and value adds on the plan
prepared by IUCN and WWF.
The figure below shows a comparison between the
current working areas versus the proposed area in the
management plan.
 Figure2: Current working area
5. Way Forward
Though Nepal has put substantial endeavor in conserving
its natural resources by setting 23.1% of the total area as
Protected Areas but problems of over-exploitation, illegal
harvesting, over hunting, fishing and encroachment
among others, are still prevalent. Therefore balancing
Conservation and Development needs is still challenging
in developing country like ours.
6. Conclusion
GoN has recognized the importance of wetlands
through policy and actions in contributing to
biodiversity conservation and livelihoods of the
community, and thereby contributing to the MDGs.
Sustainable conservation of wetlands rely on how
stakeholders' interests are internalized, and
communities' roles are respected. CUSWN has been
a successful intervention in demonstrating actions of
multi-stakeholder forum and participatory
management of wetlands in terms of biodiversity
Ghodaghodi lake Area: Experience and way forward
Figure 3: Proposed area
conservation and improving livelihoods of wetlands
dependent community in the GLA.
Acknowledgement: The authors take the opportunity to
thank the Field Manager, Sukhad, Kailali, Rural
Development Foundation for the preparation of the draft
plan and finally the ILBM for providing the opportunity
to present this paper in the Regional Forum.
7. References
Conservation and Sustainable Use of wetlands in Nepal,
2009. Baseline Survey Report, Ghodaghodi Lake
Complex, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Conservation and sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal,
2006. Project Document, Kathmandu, Nepal.
IUCN, 1998. An inventory of Nepal's Terai Wetlands,
IUCN, Kathmandu.
Ramsar, 2002. Information Sheet on Ramsar wetlands
(Ghodaghodi lake Area)
, 65
 Paper 12
Reporting lakes, reporting the universe
Dhurba Basnet and Mohan Mainali

President of Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists Kathmandu, Nepal

bdhurba@wlink.com.np
Former General Secretary of Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists Kathmandu, Nepal
mohanmainali@gmail.com

Abstract: Journalism plays an important role in creating
an environment for the conservation, promotion and
utilization of Himalayan lakes in various ways. It
disseminates information possessed by scientific
community and general public. It warns the society about
degrading conditions of lakes and its possible
consequences on nature and human being. It encourages
best practices in lake management. This short paper is
based on the experience Nepal Forum of
Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) has gained while
producing video reports on Nepal's various lakes of
biological, cultural, ecological and religious
importance.
1. Introduction
Journalism
Textbooks of journalism define journalism as an act of
transmitting information, ideas and attitudes from one
person to another. It uses mass media—print, radio,
television and others-- to deliver information, ideas and
attitudes to a sizable and diversified audience.
A proud journalist tends to claim that human civilization
will collapse in the absence of journalism. But there are
others who believe otherwise. One of the opposite notions
says: "If you don't read newspapers [listen to the radio,
watch TV] you are not informed. If you do, you are
misinformed."
In many countries press (collective name for print, TV,
radio and other mass media) is said to be losing its
credibility. But in Nepal has different scenario. Various
opinion pools carried out in last decades unanimously
conclude that journalism has been the most trusted
profession in Nepal.
With this background in mind we at NEFEJ collect and
process information and package information in such a
way that we can proudly tell our audiences: Trust me. I
am a journalist.
NEFEJ
Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) was
established 25 years ago by a group of journalists and
experts on environment to raise awareness on
environmental issue through mass media. It has been
instrumental in establishing and independent FM radio
stations in Nepal, first of its kind in South Asia. It has
been producing a weekly video magazine broadcast
currently by Nepal television, state broadcaster and
Avenues TV, a private sector satellite channels and many
local stations.
For us lake is a universe where we as journalists find
every issue that a journalist should cover and we can use
every genre—news, feature, in-depth and investigative
reporting-- we as journalists can use in our profession.
2. Issues related to lakes
Genetic resources
We report rich area of genetic resources when we report
lakes because lakes are not barren water bodies. They
contain provide shelter to wide range of flora and fauna
including endangered ones.
Finance/Business
When we report lakes we do reporting on finance and
business. Fewa and Rupa lakes are two examples. Fewa
support tourism which is main source of income in
Pokhara. Fisheries in Rupa lake support large number of
local population financially.
Wildlife
World's endangered wild animals such as rhino, elephant
and tiger are an integral part of lakes ecology especially
in Nepal's low land. We must report about these animals
when we report on lakes.
Huge, high altitude water tanks
Lakes are huge natural water tanks that provide life to the
civilizations downstream. So, we report cover the issue of
human civilization when we report lakes.
Culture and Religion
Nepal is rich in cultural and religious diversity. To
respect and promote diverse culture and religion we must
report lakes because every culture/religion has maintained
very close relationship with water bodies. Gosaikund, a
high altitude lake in central Nepal, for example, is
worshipped by the followers of Buddhism, Hinduism and
Shamnism.
News that one use
Today news is defined in new way: news people can use.
We put this new definition of news into practice when we
report lakes. We disseminate the news about lakes in a
ways that people can use for different purposes.
3. Genere
Journalism uses various genres to carry out its functions.
These are news, feature, in-depth/investigative reporting.
When we report about lakes we utilize all these formats.
We produce investigate reports on wrongdoings of the
people in power—formal and informal power. Lake is a
huge sector to do investigative reporting as very survival
of most of Nepal's lakes are threatened by the
encroachment by powerful people.
4. We do many things through our reporting
We try to persuade community, state, or the nation to
improve conditions of lakes. We report the achievements
made by people regarding lake conservation. We warn
people about the degrading condition of lakes. We
entertain our audience by showing the lakes and nature
around lakes.
We Explore and disseminate innovative ideas on
conservation and utilization of lakes. We Make people
feel proud of the resources they have. We promote
tradition of creating, maintaining and utilization of water
bodies. We enrich public debate on wise use of lakes and
judicious distribution of the wealth the society
accumulates through the utilization of lake resources.
Finally, we show the way to peaceful and prosperous
Nepal through the proper utilization of its lake-based
resources.
5. Most recent initiative
NEFEJ carried out an aggressive campaign on lakes in
collaboration with the National Lake Conservation
68 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
Development Committee. Under this project we produced
13 video reports on various lakes. We cover following
aspects of lakes in our report:
– Cultural value of lakes
– Bio-diversity of lakes
– Economic value of lakes
– Conservation/utilization practices
All 13 video reports were broadcast by two national TV
networks (Nepal TV and Avenues TV) and more than 10
local TV networks. These reports are distributed for
narrowcasting through informal and formal networks.
We also produce a video documentary on Nepal's lakes.
This highlights the importance of Nepal's lakes, threats to
the lakes and various steps taken to protect and promote
lakes.
6. More needs to be done
We call our campaign aggressive because any effort
which cannot term aggressive is not likely to solve the
problems faced by Nepal's lakes. Nepal's lakes are facing
extraordinary problems which demand extraordinary
measures. Sometimes, we are asked how much is
enough? Our simple answer is: ask the public relations
officer of the Coca Cola company or a Bollywood film
company or an instant noodles company. As them how
much money and creative energy they spend on
convincing public to drink their softdrink, or watch their
film or eat their junk food. Alternatively, you may
compare the space (of newspaper and magazines) and air
time of radio and television to promote these product and
our product—lakes. Promoting lakes certainly requires
more efforts than promoting junk food and junk idea!!!
Visioning the Future
Chaired by Prof. Dr. Masahisa Nakamura
Chairman of Scientific Committee Member
International Lake Environment Committee Foundation
Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan

Prof. Dr. Ram Prasad Chaudhary

Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University
Visioning the Himalayan Lake Conservation Initiative
Nature and function of the Himalayan lakes is intricate in context of their distributions, socio-economy,
religio-culture and politics in and beyond any country in the region like Nepal, China, Bhutan, India and
Pakistan. Country focus conservation is therefore required to intervene though the regional importance of the
Himalyan lakes also needs maintaining at crux. Viewing the gravity of such importance, a visioning session
was scheduled as conclusive session of the nation seminar. Prof. Dr. Nakamura facilitated the session with
Prof. Dr. Kodarkar, Prof. Dr. Ram Prasad Chaudhary, Prof. Dr. Madan Koirala, Prof. Dr. Sanjaya Khanal,
Prof. Karan Shah, Dr. Dinesh Bhuju and Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha in the dais further to consolidate the
remarks. Other international delegates and the Nepalese experts in the seminar vouchsafed their valuable
inputs. Remarks of the session are mentioned below:

Prof. Dr. Masahisa Nakamura, Japan

1. Lake is the science of lentic water system. People often talk about IWRM to address water issues but it
limits its scope within lotic water body dedicated to water business. ILBM differs from IWRM because
it talks about science of lentic water evolved from bottom-up approaches. ILBM is relevant to address
complex dynamics of lentic water equally compelling for the sustainability of Himalayan lakes.

2. ILBM is a knowledge based management tool generated by scientific community from the study of 28
global lakes. This tool consists of six pillars - Policy, Institution, Participation, Finance, Information and
Technology. ILBM is constantly an evolving case. We've database and training module to prepare
human resource for it which is still inadequate. We further need to influence donors' funding by
persuading policy programs and agenda of environmental water system (i.e. lake as global
environmental issues) in order to extending global community for ILBM.

3. Nepali lakes were not included during scientific study in an evolutionary process of ILBM. Nepal has to
develop its own source of knowledge, may be database. Some countries are in an early stage of research
in lakes. For example, Costa Rica has developed lake strategy on regulating services including
knowledge generation. China is focusing on PES for which involvement of naturalists is essential. PES
in case of Rupa is another good example, though requires proper documentation.

4. ILEC as a catalyst institution that has been engaged in strengthening capacity in promoting and
implementing ILBM in different countries. However, we may need a separate global forum for ILBM.

5. The Himalayan lakes are unique in their nature and functions, and are matchless natural treasure to
support ecosystem, biodiversity, socio-economy and religio-culture in Nepal, China, Bhutan, India,
Pakistan, and may be other countries. This national seminar is very pertinent footstep in regionalizing
HLCI. We may need to have a focal point, programs and actions to materialize the HLCI.

6. A good start to comprehend Himalayan lake issues may require educating ourselves. I often say, lakes
are intrigue in nature in their dynamics which needs combination of efforts - hardware, software and
heart-ware. A lot of heart-ware is evident in Nepal for ILBM; other efforts are now compulsive to go in
parallel. The case studies of some Himalayan lakes are therefore urgent. In this regard, ILEC has
developed templates for preparing lake briefs which may be very instrumental and useful for Nepal as
well as other countries.
7. We need exploring and extending opportunities for applied researches for the sustainability of
Himalayan lakes.

8. Further, we may need to demonstrate an application of ILBM for the sustainable conservation of the
Himalayan lakes in some places.

Prof. Dr. Ram Prasad Chaudhary, Nepal

1. Policy issues for promoting and conserving lakes are gaps in Nepal. We require reviewing available
water policies and exploring way forward in having national lake policies to consolidate wetlands
programs specific to Himalayan lake conservation.

2. Sustainability of the Himalayan lakes relies on how we address different issues like trans-boundary,
regional, national, sub-national and protected areas. It perhaps requires very strong global, regional and
national commitments and coordination following CBD articles (10-21) with action agenda that
harmonizes participatory and bottom up approaches and functionalizes upward and downward linkages.
In many interventions, MDGs are least addressed which should not be the case in the HLCI.

3. Climate change is another awesome dimension the Himalayan lakes are facing these days. The global
and regional partnership/ cooperation are urgent to triumph over the impacts of climate change. This
national seminar is a break through initiative helping in devising and implementing usable and doable
action agenda that are indicative, measurable and timeable.

4. Sustainability is an important aspect here. Our institutions normally disappear as funding gets over.
There should strong guideline prioritizing high, medium and low altitude lakes; connecting economics,
livelihoods and environment; and regionalize issues. We may learn it from 12-point water resource use
plan of Norway

Prof. Dr. M.S. Kodarkar, India

1. ILBM is an inclusive concept that connects both top and bottom up approaches. India has four exemplar
cases. Hussainsagar (Hyderabad), Puskar lake (Ajmer) and lakes of Udaypur. We have learning from
establishing a Lake Management Society - a multi-stakeholder forum. This society also had
representation from government stakeholders, but it did not function well. However, we'd learning from
the functioning of Lake Sarovar Group formed from the involvement of twenty-four grassroot
organizations strongly associated with lake environment. Last year, we'd an opportunity to interact with
community people of Rupa lake area in Pokhara. This interaction made us to realize that the local group
like Sarovar Samridhini Group of India could be replicable in restoring lake condition of Rupa as well
as other Himalayan lakes.

2. Lake conservation in India has been moving with tremendous progresses, and learning from ILBM
application. We've understood that ILBM is an emerging hope to restore lake environment contributing
to the livelihoods of people. We need to generate database as good start by creating a local platform of
general people and academia living around lake management.

72 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
Dr. Rahat Jabeen, Pakistan

1. Pakistan is exposed to ILBM for the first time by participating in this national seminar. Pakistan also
possesses many lake of the Himalayan nature. We're learning on how ILBM could be useful to
concentrate on issues of big and suffering lakes.

2. We understand the importance of Himalayan lakes to maintain ecosystem integrity complementing

directly to livelihoods of millions of people; however we also have difficulties within and surpassing
over the boundary of nation. HLCI therefore needs be internalized by each country in the Himalayan
region.

Mr. Sandeep Joshi, India

1. Lake conservation is an emerging both green and grey areas. As a green area, a strong communication
link with government is required to establish to implement Himalayan lake programs in coordination
followed by lake inventory. Mass journalism may probe important to influence wider circle of users and
beneficiaries including conservation organizations.

2. HLCI might pose a false impression that higher attention is given only to high altitude lakes, but equal
attention should be given to medium and low altitude lakes of the Himalayan region.

3. As a grey area, Himalayan lake conservation should be viewed in terms of collaborative management
among national and regional partners.

4. Lake map is a foundation of lake conservation that should be equipped with GIS information. We
should prioritize lakes for the intervention and, sustainability parameter needs explored with monitoring
indicators provided that lakes' maintenance should be viewed at their basin without any loss of
biodiversity.

Prof. Dr. Madan Koirala, Nepal

1. ILBM should also refer energy component whilst the sustainability of Himalayan lakes, and focus
should be given to the reservoirs inclusiveness and ownership roles given to community in ILBM
implementation. For this, we may adopt learning from Laguna Conservation Authority.

Dr. Bishnu Bhandari, Nepal

1. ILBM may be applicable in addressing the issues of Himalayan lakes, but some technical issues of it
needs clarification. We haven't good experience of working with politics in resource management.

2. We need to identify our needs in advance of ILBM implementation. We may require external
assistance, both financial and technical. We greatly appreciate if ILEC could do extend to this. Bringing
together academia, government, INGOs/ NGO’s and community may be conducive to synergize
impacts.

Mr. Ukesh Bhuju, Nepal

1. NLCDC has not only visioning ILBM as a concept but implementing it. A national ILBM network
should be established in each nation in the region by linking it with the MDG.

Visioning the Himalayan Lake Conservation Initiative 73

2. Nepal has a successful learning from NEFEJ of having informal but functional watch-group in nature
and biodiversity conservation. Formulation such kind of watch-group like lake watch-group may one of
the effective ways in implementing ILBM for the sustainability of Himalayan lakes.

Dr. Tek B. Gurung, Nepal

1. National Wetlands Policy (2003) is a wonderful progress Nepal has convened in due respect of
wetlands conservation in this decade. Formulation and enactment of corresponding Act is now a
requisite to legitimate Himalayan lake conservation in Nepal.
2. As said earlier, Nepal has good example of community conservation of lake like in lake Rupa. Such
community initiatives in Nepal now have entered to a crux that further technical and economic backup
must be externally extended to sustain ecosystem services.

Dr. Vipin Vyas, India

1. PES is an important dimension of lake conservation. Community are much concerned about the use of
lake resources, so any intervention we plan for lake management should be paying higher attention in
respect of aspiration of community at first. An equal emphasis should be given to generate revenue
from lake conservation to sustain conservation efforts.

2. Normally, communities are unaware of technical facets of lake conservation. We may need to have
dissemination materials about ecosystem structure, function and the services it provides to the
community in simple language.

Mr. Shailendra Pokharel, Nepal

1. NLCDC has become one of the ILBM members after participating in ILBM India workshop in
Hyderabad, Udayapur, Puskar and Ajmer in 2008 and 2009. We've internalized the strength of ILBM
for the sustainable conservation of Nepal's lake as Himalayan lakes irrespective to any geographical
location, physical appearances and sizes.

2. Nepal also has unbeaten learning from participatory management of forest, water and biodiversity
resources which are consistent to the conservation of Himalayan lakes. Such great learning should be
reflected to the actions linking Himalayan lakes among our academia, institutions, NGOs and CBOs.

3. Probably, knowledge generation and their dissemination is the greatest gap Nepal has been facing these
days. Here comes the role of universities and research institutions to prepare human capital, and media
to influence audiences including grass-root communities.

4. This national seminar is meant to realize the need of regional initiative for the sustainability of
Himalayan lakes and ILBM as management tool to dictate lake sustainability. Should this seminar view
an urgency of case studies in the region?

5. ILBM has a decade of test travel across different countries. It is a high time for the demonstration for
ILBM implementation. Nepal is ready for it, and proposes for the joint preparation of proposal for
funding. For this, Nepal needs back stopping.

6. Nepal votes for the need of a focal point for the HLCI. Functioning of such a focal point in an opening
stage demands supports from institution like ILEC since it has an advantage of having working

74 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
 experiences with government, INGOs, NGOs, universities and communities in different parts of the
world.

Dr. Dinesh Raj Bhuju, Nepal

1. Knowledge generation and dissemination is most important basis of any conservation program. There
are only 186 literatures in 4 decades about lakes in Nepal. So, major thrust should certain first to
accelerate studies and researches by involving academia like KU, TU and NAST until an emergence of
a focal point.

2. Lake conservation in Nepal has recently come up in Nepal with an establishment of NLCDC. Status
and condition of our Himalayan lakes are still unexplored. We therefore need to strengthen national
capacity including capacity of academia and other institutions.

Prof. Dr. Mohan Siwakoti, Nepal

1. The Himalayan lakes of Nepal have different significances and values. For example, lakes in Terai are
bases for livelihoods; lakes in midhill are for multiple use of water; and high altitude lakes are of great
religio-cultural values.

2. HLCI should judge Nepal having comparative advantage of promoting high altitude lakes for religious
tourism.

Prof. Dr. Sanjaya Khanal, Nepal

1. Any lakes found in Nepal are unique. Nepal's prime role towards conserving Himalayan lakes is to
classify and prioritize these lakes, and identify a few lakes for ILBM demonstration. in terms of
ecosystem functioning and uses.

2. The HLCI is a good start, and ILBM though evolving is pertinent to address issues of Nepal's
Himalayan lakes. Nepal needs Lake Act to formulate and enact in line with the National Wetlands
Policy 92003) followed by knowledge management for implementing and monitoring ILBM.

Dr. Adelina S. Borja, the Philippines

1. Implementing ILBM requires harmonizing laws and policies taking an account of its 6 governance
pillars. This may be done with a simultaneous works among policy makers, academia and others.

Mr. Rajendra Khanal, Nepal

1. Nepal is in a process of preparing new constitution, and should it be appropriate to fed inputs in the
constitution for the conservation of Himalayan lakes.
2. Ownership to community for conserving Himalayan lakes is important aspect to consider in Nepal.
Therefore, it should be confined by policy and law. Further, Nepal may need a basket fund in
implementing ILBM which is challenging.

Visioning the Himalayan Lake Conservation Initiative 75

Mr. Mohan Mainali, Nepal

1. Lakes conservation is still an abstract case for the journalists. Building capacity of journalists helps
influencing different tiers of audience towards conserving Himalayan lakes.

Mr. Gyan Kumar Chhipi, Nepal

1. ILBM is a pertinent tool for the conservation of Himalayan lakes which should be incorporated in
curricula of college and university.

76 National Seminar on “ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes” March 26-29, 2010
Conclusion and Recommendation
1. ILBM, though evolving, is a scientific; knowledge-based; inclusive and participatory tool compelling
for the sustainability of the Himalayan lake in the region. Hence, a functional focal point is urgent for
which backstopping from ILEC like institution is an important forward looking step.

2. Scope of ILBM has been gradually expanding in the world. Now, a separate ILBM forum is required
for an effective coordination, facilitation and implementation of ILBM. ILEC as catalyst should
continue its technical and financial supports for some years -particularly for developing nations.

3. Sustainability of the Himalayan lakes relies on issues like trans-boundary, regional, national, sub-
national and protected areas. Therefore, a strong global, regional and national commitments following
CBD articles (10-21) and MDGs with action agenda are required to go in parallel.

4. Climate change is another dimension of the Himalayan lake conservation. The global and regional
partnership/cooperation is urgent triumph over the impacts of climate change.

5. A good start to comprehend Himalayan lake issues primarily requires educating ourselves. The case
studies of some Himalayan lakes are therefore urgent followed by knowledge generation; database
development; applied researches; human resource development; and dissemination of knowledge.
Academia should incorporate lake in their curricula.

6. National policies and Acts with regards to lake conservation are either silent or conflicting and
overlapping if available. Hence, policies and Acts in the nations and region should be harmonized.

7. Demonstrations of ILBM for the sustainability of Himalayan lakes are essential to convene at some
places. A joint proposal for this is a must step.

8. Community ownership for conserving lakes must be placed on top whilst managing lakes.

Visioning the Himalayan Lake Conservation Initiative (Conclusion and Recommendation) 77

Visits and Meeting
March 28, 2010
• Fly to Pokhara
• Brief en route discussion with the personnel of PTB, NLCDC, AMC, DSCO/Kaski, PUDC, NTNC
and DDC Kaski. Site seen in Phewa lake
• Interaction with academic staff of Janapriya
Jan Multiple Campus, Pokhara
• Interaction with community people and users of RLSFC, Leknath Municipality, Pokhara
• Visit to Wetlands Academy, Begans lake area, Pokhara
• Evening presentation by NTNC in Hotel Dragon, Pokhara

March 29, 2010

• Fly back to Kathmandu
• Meeting with Hon'ble
'ble Prime Minister Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal
• Meeting with Excellency President of Nepal Dr. Rambaran Yadav
• March 30, 2010
• Meeting with Hon'ble Minister Mr. Saradsingh Bhandari, Ministry of Tourism and Civil
Civi Aviation
Appendix A
Inauguration speech
Ramanand Pandit
Member Secretary and Executive Director
National Lake Conservation and Development Committee (NLCDC)
Respected Chair person of this very important National
Seminar, Krishna Chandra Mishra, The chief guest of
this inaugural function Honorable Minister Mananiya
Sharad Singh Bhandari, Prof. Nakamura, Chairman,
Scientific Committee of ILEC, Japan, national and
international experts, Nepalese scientists, invitees,
ladies and gentlemen
A warm welcome to all the participants of this
National Seminar of ILBM for the Sustainability of
Himalayan lakes, I am happy to in fort this aghast
gathering that National Lake Conservation and
Development Committee in Nepal is improving ILBM
and we are extracting positive result of this action. Our
lakes are situated in diverse Himalayan topography
and development of Nepal can not go in isolation
without their conservation covering issues like Bio-
diversity, water quality and quantity and its
surroundings. Nepal has more then 5,000 lakes which
are diverse in their nature and origin. We refer all of
this lakes are as Himalayan lakes since Nepal itself lies
at the lap of the eastern Himalaya. The Himalayan
lakes are source of rivers and provide precious water
for agriculture, aquiculture, biodiversity conservation
and other usages. It is not worthy, that 13% of our
population is dependent on the lake of their livelihood.
Unfortunately all the lakes are under man made stress
and there is an urgent need of their protection and
conservation.
Government of Nepal is fully aware of the trouble of
the lakes in poverty reduction and social wellbeing. I
may add that any basic action taken to promote lakes
should help maintaining the biodiversity, religious and
cultural values and hydrological characters. For these
reasons, Government of Nepal Commissioned Nepal
Lake Conservation Development Committee in 2006
that aims to co-ordinate national and international
institutions, contribute to lake related policy
formulations and provide support to local initiatives. In
short, we work at policy, program and action.
Appendix a
Further, the Himalayan lakes need special attention
and for this Nepal, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India
and Pakistan should come to a platform to act on
common agenda of the Himalayan lake conservation.
We are already disseminating this issue with all these
countries; Bangladesh, China and Malaysia etc. In the
present days of climate change scenario, many lakes in
this region are expanding and bearing threats to Glacial
Lake Outbursts and Floods. Their retreat would bring
so may negative consequences. We believe, ILEC will
be able to help us in this important task that will
protect Himalayan ecology, livelihood of communities
and ensure water security of the region.
Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) has
remained central to all aspects of lake conservation in
Nepal. With this focus, we are now in a position to
develop submitting such a plan for lake conservation.
We are going to submit such a plan to the concerned
Ministry for favorable action. We strongly believe that
ILBM approach world be instrumental in safeguarding
the Himalayan lakes. Hence, we would like to expand
ILBM network within Nepal and gradually extending
this network in neighboring countries. This national
seminar like ILEC, Ministry of environment, NTB,
IUCN Nepal, WWF Nepal, TMI, ICIMOD, TU, JMC,
NTNC, CSUWN and AMC. Collaboration is an
illustration of strong "Partnership" Pillar of ILBM. I
am very much obliged to all of these institutions that
have made this event a historical one.
We are thinking to promote some lakes are tourism
destination keeping in mind the year 2011. Declare as
the tourism year by Government of Nepal.
A field trip to Pokhara to study lakes is being arranged
which open an opportunity for international delegate
each respective and delegates. Unite in the common
for attending the important product and sure that
seminar will come out with plan and programme for
safe guarding our Himalayan lakes.
Thank You Very Much
a
Prof. Dr. Masahisa Nakamura
Chairman of Scientific Committee of International Lake Environmental Committee (ILEC), Japan
Here, friends in the Himalayan region and also
members of the ILEC scientific committee.
And my self chair this scientific committee we have
representative from the Philippines, representative
from India Kodaka, Scientific committee of ILEC
consists of a fifteen members of course world.
Integrated Lake Basin Management project which
successes and expend the world like region activities
we have had for years. Encompasses, some nine
countries including India, Philippines and of course
Nepal. We have just complicated the National
workshop in Malaysia. We have few in South
America, North America, we have lots of projects
going on and I have just Kenya, Uganda, Hawaii,
and even Zimbabwe. And other countries including
Japan, of course there was the kept bill ready of
resource provided by lakes, wetlands and other
water bodies that we called lentic standing bodies of
water.
You may know the standing body water occupies
90% of all of the fresh water available on earth. It
provides about 40% of the needs of the people.
These water bodies lakes, what comes reservoirs
very bearable because every lentic bodies subjected
to extensive resources use fisheries, we have
hydropower, water supplies, watershed irrigation
activities and these resource by use non easy to
sustain on the activities be very careful. This ILBM
programme addresses what is being raise us prime
concept in this scantory ecosystem services.
Ecosystem services consists of course there resource
Appendix a
provision services, water supply and hydro power
and so no. but the ecosystem services also include
some cultural services and what is important and we
often forget is the regulating services that
biodiversity. Food chain, climate mitigation, flood
retention capacity and so on these we use profit.
Global aspects of Himalayan Mountains were
without these fresh water bodies you will not get us
much attraction for people because there you have
social human sustainable activities highly as codify
many services. We are very happy that together with
we goings we will be able to stand a few days with
you to really looking to promoting this idea and you
moving this concept to apart go a policies,
programs, institution developments and so on. So
that together will be able to address this very vary
essential and central issues as manifest of water and
environmental management that is the lakes
representative these lentic bodies of water.
Again I thank you very much to give me use the
opportunity to give with you for the next few days
we went to pokhara, very much looking for a trip.
For trip be able to come out a very tangible
practicable ways ahead and produce a programme
that will be highly supported by Nepalese
Government and the international communities
include ILEC.
Again, we look for working with you
Thank You Very Much
b
Mr. Sarad Singh Bhandari
Honorable minister, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation
In the very right time for us under the umbrella of
great Himalayan Region we share so many natural
avidities restore by the nature but we are great
danger and great threat that's why this others
meeting. I believe with take course of the issues and
provide us some guidelines to adopt by the
government. At all the means of water resources
whether lakes or river. We all know that we do have
great basin of Himalaya that comes from great
Himalaya of tall Asia basin.
Though, so many countries in geography but you
share so many journeys and sober in coming. That is
why we must have approach of integrated
development that are exactly the seminar is
addressing the issues. So I think this is the right time
to know about the Integrated Lake Basin
Management and use of the lakes in all the concepts
of the countries.
Basically, the National Lake Conservation and
Development Committee happen to be under the
Ministry of Tourism only for one of the activities is
beautification of lakes using and providing the lakes
for tourism purpose. But I think we have to look
upon the issue in a politics sector a way. This is
entirely scientific symbolism so I don't want to go
detail in the expertise that is not my concern of the
subject. We have took upon the issue in totality so
that's why I'm very happy the seminar will take
place on the issue will definitely come out with the
policy as well as suggestion for sum of the
institutional development or instrumental
development. So we can address the issues of the
Appendix a
lake in an integrated matter. Obviously we are
talking about the wetland policy, ecosystem, climate
change, environmental impact and obviously we are
talking about economy and financial utilization of
the lakes as well. That's why what I feel that this is
the right time and we are very fortune that this kind
of seminar taking place in Nepal in a very correct
time. Because we are going to, we all we are in the
phase of transition, we are going to have our
constitution in frame. That's why so many policies
have to be check and care. We have taken a matter
we may at least this matter in the change context in
our coming policies.
As well like, Nepal is going to marked "Nepal
Tourism Year 2011" may be some activities can be
included to promote the tourism sector in some of
the very famous lakes have. As you know all the
lakes, Himalayan lakes, in the high mountain as well
as like in the Terai region for the source of water all
are the Himalayan water or perennial water or
permanent water. That's why we take care all of the
issues. I believe that with all gathering of
International and National experts and scientists.
I believe that some concrete conclusion will come
out and it will be great as central government to take
off the matter and make a policy and extensive
So I would like to Thank and Congratulation to the
all at the maximum benefit and opportunity
provided to us by the other nation.
I wish of all succession of this seminar
c
Krishna Chandra Mishra
Chairperson
National Lake Conservation and Development Committee (NLCDC)
Honorable minister,
Respected dedicates come from the outside of the
country Prof. Dr. Nakamora japan, Adalina of
Philippines, Prof. Dr. Kodacar Mohan, Mr. Sandeep
Joshi, Dr. Veepan Vas, Dr. Sexenna India. And the
entire delegates participant's ladies and gentle man.
Nepal is rich in terms of natural resources,
biodiversity, freshwater resources as well as lakes.
National Lake Conservation and Development
Committee has formed in 2006 under the
Development Committee Act (2013), as authority
under the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
The primary goal of this committee is to conserve
and develop all of the lakes present in Nepal and
finally promote them as a tourist destination.
As we are gathered as for lake so this National Lake
Conservation and Development Committee is
thinking about how to conserve and develop the lake
that it would attracts the world tourist which would
expected the financial back bone of the country by
extending the tourism industries. I am admire today
because a big gathering of national and international
scientist, policy makers and other technical as well
as non technical intelligence persons are gathered
together. During this seminar different successful
studies and conservation practices as well as Nepal
lake problems and conservation practices will be
discussed by national and international scientist. I
am also hoped that the successful conservation
Appendix a
practices, learned lesions and research activities
from the different parts of the worlds will be useful
for the further management practices of Himalayan
lakes like Nepal.
It is impossible to plan and organize this national
seminar without supporting different national and
international governmental and nongovernmental
organizations. As a result international delegates are
here and also national scientists also enhance this
programme successful. At first I would like to thank
honorable minister for Tourism Mr. Sarad Singh
Bhandari, who come here in spite of all busy time
and in spite on to work on this meet. I would like to
especial thank for most important international
delegate Prof. Dr. Masahisa Nakamura (Chairman of
Scientific Committee of International Lake
Environmental Committee (ILEC), Japan) and other
delegate from India, Philippines, and Bhutan. They
all have come from besides all their essential work
and beigest time and I think that after this session
they all and talk about how it would the fruitful
result would come by which we will part to do some
work in lakes and basins. I would like to thank
national scientists for participation of this national
seminar. Finally I would like to thank all of
supporters such as ILEC, MoE, NTB, NTNC, AMC,
TU, ICIMOD, CSUWN, WWF, TMI, HAN, and
IUCN for their financial and non financial
supporting of this national seminar.
Thank You
d
 Appendix B
List of Participants
National Seminar on Integrated Lake Management for Sustainibilty of
Himalayan Lakes
(March 26-29, 2010, Kathmandu Nepal)
Phone
S. Agency/ Organization/
Name Title Country no/Mobile Email address
N. University
no/Fax no
ILEC
Scientific
Laguna Lake Development Committee
1 Adelina Santa Borja Authority /ILEC Member Philippines lennieborja@yahoo.com
Sr Technical
2 Agni P Nepal Fisheries Research Division Officer Nepal 9741029256 agninepal@gmail.com
National Lake Conservation
Development Committee
3 Ajit Shah (NLCDC) Accountant Nepal 4420174 ajitshah100@gmail.com
Tribhuvan
University,Central
Department of conxon_aash@hotmail.co
4 Avash Poudel Environmental Science Student Nepal m
Deputy
Department of Plant Director
5 Batu Krishna Uprety Resources General Nepal 425117 upretybk@gmail.com
Program
Bhawani Dongol WWF Nepal Officer - Nepal 4434820/ bhawani.dongol@wwfnep
6 Freshwater 9841294926 al.org
7 Bikram KC N.R.S Reporter Nepal 9841353619

8 C.Ba. Gurung Youth in Environment Member Nepal 2339427

Tribhuvan
University,Central
Department of
9 Chandan Pandit Environmental Science Student Nepal mann_ith@yahoo.com
Yuwa hunkar/T.U/ Good 4232084/
10 Devendra Bista Governance Member Nepal 9741138136 dev@yahoo.com
Nepal Forum of 4261991/
Environment Journalist 9851074932/
11 Dhruba Basnet (NEFEJ) President Nepal 4261191 nefej@mos.com.np
National Lake Conservation
Development Committee
12 Dhruba R Chalise (NLCDC) Nepal 4420173
Tribhuvan
University,Central
Department of
13 Diwas Dahal Environmental Science Student Nepal diwasenv@gmail.com
International Centre for
Wetland
Dr Bishnu Bhandari Integrated Mountain Nepal
Specialist
14 Development (ICIMOD) 5003222 bbhandari@icimod.org

Appendix B e
 Phone
S. Agency/ Organization/
Name Title Country no/Mobile Email address
N. University
no/Fax no
Tribhuvan University,Tri Associate 9851063267/ suman.subedi@gmail.co
15 Dr Suman S Bhattarai Chandra College Professor Nepal 4410488 m
Director,Liv
estock & 4262570/
Dr Tek Bahadur Nepal Agricultural Fisheries 9851106378/ tek_fisheries@hotmail.co
16 Gurung Research Council Research Nepal 14262500 m
Dr Tirtha Bahadur Life 5521258 tirthabshrestha@gmail.co
17 Shrestha Nepal Academy Member Nepal (Res) m

ILEC– Scientific committee 977- aquabiole@gmail.com,lak

18 Dr. Mohan S Kodarkar Member India 9246591539 emission@yahoo.com
National Academy for Chief
Science and Science
19 Dr. Dinesh Bhuju Technology(NAST) Faculty Nepal 9841992216 DineshBhuju@gmail.com

Tribhuvan University (TU)

Assistant
Dr. Madan Koirala (Institute of Science and Nepal 4330458/ madankoirala@gmail.co
Dean(IOST)
20 Technology ) 9841259938 m
Research Center for
Dr. Masahisa Sustainability and
21 Nakamura Environment /ILEC Director Japan nakamura@ilec.org.jp.
07556544331
Department of Limnology/ /
22 Dr. Shriparna Saxena Barkatullah University Lecturer India 09229200243 shriparna16@yahoo.co.in
91-755-
Department of Limnology/ 6541345/
23 Dr. Vipin Vyas Barkatullah University Lecturer India 9827273545
National Lake Conservation 4420173/
Development Committee Board 9851112621/ anilpiya@satelliteinnepal.
24 Er. Anil Piya (NLCDC) Member Nepal 4238377 com
Department of National
Parks and Wildlife 4227926/
25 Fanindra R. Kharel Conservation (DNPWC) Officer Nepal 9741122875 fkharel@live.com

975-2323384/
National Environment Head, Water 17624118/
26 G Karma Choppel Commission Resources Bhutan 323385 gkchhopel@nec.gov.bt
Institute of Medicine Student(MB
27 Ganesh Man Bista (IOM), TU BS running) Nepal 9741124213
5000119/
UNDP GEF Small Grants National 9851037462/ grsherchan@wlink.com.n
28 Gopal Raj Sherchan Program Coordinator Nepal 5530269 p
Tribhuvan
University,Central
Gyan Kumar Chippi Department of Assistant 6637699/ gyankumar.shrestha@gm
29 Shrestha Environmental Science Lecturer Nepal 9841705062 ail.com

Hon Sharat Singh Ministry of Tourism and

Minister Nepal
30 Bhandari Civil Aviation (MoTCA)

Action in Mountain
Indrakala Baral President Nepal
31 Community (AMC)

34661133/
Water Sector Improvement Environment 92210300255
32 Jabeen Rahat Project al Specialist Pakistan 4494 rahat@hotmail.com

Appendix B f
 Phone
S. Agency/ Organization/
Name Title Country no/Mobile Email address
N. University
no/Fax no
462004/
Senior 9846047454/
33 Jaya Dev Bista Fisheries Research Center Scientist Nepal 560528 jdbista@yahoo.com
National Trust for Nature Member juddhagurung@ntnc.org.n
Juddha Gurung Nepal
34 Conservation (NTNC) Secretary 5526571 p
International Union for
Juna Giri Conservation of Researcher Nepal
35 Nature(IUCN ) 5528781 juna_giri@gmail.com

36 KedarShree Joshi Reporter Nepal 9803281658

Nepal Mountaineering General
37 Kishor Rajbhandari Association Member Nepal 4434525 peacesedna@gmail.com
Tribhuvan
Univerisity,Trichandra Associate 4780413/
38 Kripa Ram Mehta Campus, Professor Nepal 9841452279 mehtasir@hotmail.com
National Lake Conservation
Development Committee
39 Krishna C Mishra (NLCDC) Chairperson Nepal 4420173
4256522/
40 Kumar Prasad Nepal 9841520286

Sindhupalchok
Panchpokhari Tourism
41 Lopsang Lama Development Committee Member Nepal 9841660034 lopo_lpz@hotmail.com
Nepal Tourism Board
42 Madhu (NTB) Nepal 4256909
Tribhuvan
University,Central
Department of madhukarkhadka@yahoo.
43 Madhukar Khadka Environmental Science Student Nepal com
4256909/
Nepal Tourism Board 9851024366/
44 Mani Raj Lamichanne (NTB) Manager Nepal 4256910 maniraj@ntnc.org.np
Manager
(Tourism
Nepal Tourism Board Product and
Mani Raj Lamichhane Nepal
(NTB) Resource 4256909(Ext
Developmen 141)/
45 t) 4256910 maniraj@ntb.org.np

National Lake Conservation Board

Development Member/Sup 4211504/
Committee(NLCDC)/Minis erintending 9841203890/ dangolmathura@yahoo.co
46 Mathura Dongol try of Irrigation Engineer Nepal 4211504 m
Tribhuvan
University,Central
Department of
47 Merina Khadka Environmental Science Student Nepal me_rina5@hotmail.com
Sindhupalchok General milanpakhrice@yahoo.co
48 Milan Lama Panchpokhari Tourism Secretary Nepal 9841660034 m
Development Committee
Nepal Forum of 4261991/
Environment Journalist 9851074932/
49 Mohan K.C (NEFEJ) Camerd P Nepal 4261192 mohanc2000@yahoo.com

Appendix B g
 Phone
S. Agency/ Organization/
Name Title Country no/Mobile Email address
N. University
no/Fax no
Nepal Forum of 4261991/
Environment Journalist 9851074932/
50 Mohan Mainali (NEFEJ) Journalist Nepal 4261191 nefej@mos.com.np
Ministry of Tourism and Joint
51 Mohan Pokhrel Civil Aviation (MoTCA) Secretary Nepal 4420173
Tribhuvan University
(Central Department of 4810021/ mohansiwakoti@yahoo.c
52 Mohan Siwakoti Botany) Professor Nepal 9849245299 o.uk
5560563/
Senior 9841455083/
53 Neeta Pradhan Fisheries Research Division Scientist Nepal 5560156 frdgdr@wlink.com.np
54 Pragati Shahi The Kathmandu Post Reporter Nepal 4480100 pragati@kantipur.org.np
pragatituladhar@yahoo.c
55 Pragati Tuladhar Consultant Consultant Nepal 9849483916 om
56 Prajwal KC NIRS Reporter Reporter Nepal 9841353619

National Lake Conservation Office

57 Prakash Shrestha Development Committee Assistant Nepal 4420174 shprakash34@gmail.com
(NLCDC)
4271899/
58 Prof. Karan Shah Natural History Mueseum Professor Nepal 9841615069 karan@htp.com.np
Action in Moutain
Pushpa Raj Koirala Nepal
59 Community (AMC)
IUCN-Nepal (International
Program Co-
Rajendra Khanal Union for Conservation of Nepal 5528781/
ordinator
60 Nature) 9841787622 rajendra@iucn.org.np

National Inland Fisheries

61 Rajendra Kumar KC Development Program Chief Nepal 9841614362 rajendrakc07@yahoo.com

62 Rajin Rai Nepanews.com Reporter Nepal 9803049039 rajinrai@hotmail.com

news@gantabyanepal.co
m.np/gantabyanepal_0562
63 Raju Baskota Gantabya Nepal Nepal 4258581 63@yahoo.com

64 Ram Prasad Chaudhary Tribhuvan University Professor Nepal 4330458 ram@cdbtu.wlink.np

National Lake Conservation
Development Committee Executive 4420173/ ramanandpandit@yahoo.c
65 Ramanand Pandit (NLCDC) Director Nepal 9841058714 om
4008523/ resham@thesuperbuilders
Executive 9851111246/ .com/info@thesuperbuild
66 Resham Chettri Super Builders Pvt Ltd Director Nepal 4008524 ers.com
Associate 6211854/
67 Sajani Shrestha RECAST Professor Nepal 9841360723 sajanisk@gmail.com
91-20-
24253773/
Shristhi Eco-Research 9822548796/
68 Sandeep Joshi Institute (SERI) Director India 66206539 seriecotech@yahoo.co.in
661399/
Kathmandu University 9841273475/
69 Sanjaya Khanal (KU) Professor Nepal 661443 sanjaya@ku.edu.np
National Lake Conservation
Development Committee Program 4420173/ shailendrapokharel@gmai
70 Shailendra Pokhrel (NLCDC) Manager Nepal 9841698227 l.com

Appendix B h
 Phone
S. Agency/ Organization/
Name Title Country no/Mobile Email address
N. University
no/Fax no
Conservation and
Shalu Adhikari Sustainable Use of Officer Nepal 4226230/
71 Wetlands Nepal (CSUWN) 9841212266 shalu@wetlands.org.np

72 Shanker Shah Tonometro Reporter Nepal r.p.weekely@yahoo.com

73 Shib Raj Bhattarai Underline newpaper Reporter Nepal 9849033192 shibraj@yahoo.com

4441246/
74 Shiva Regmi Metro F.M Reporter Nepal 9841424660 shivaregmi@gmail.com
National Trust for Nature Info swati_thapa@hotmail.co
Swati Thapa Nepal
75 Conservation (NTNC) Assistant 5526572 m

76 Tika Bandhan Nepal Samacharpatra Press Reporter Nepal 9841370974 bandhan77@hotmail.com

National Lake Conservation

Development Committee Consulting
77 Ukesh Raj Bhuju (NLCDC) Advisor Nepal 9841292829 ukeshbhuju@hotmail.com

Appendix B i
Appendix C
Program schedule
National Seminar "ILBM for the Sustainability of Himalayan Lakes"
March 26-29, 2010 Kathmandu, Nepal

Day/time Particulars Reference

March 25, 2010 International delegates arrive and their placement in Arrangement for airport pick up for
hotel international delegates
March 26, 2010
08.30-09.00 Registration
09.00-10.30 Official opening Venue: Nepal Tourism Board,
Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu
10.30-11.00 Tea Break
11.00 - 13.00 Technical Session - I: Genesis of ILBM and its global Chaired by Prof. Madan Koirala, Asst.
learning Dean, Tribhuvan University
Genesis, framework and impacts of ILBM: Prof.
Nakamura, M., Chairman, Scientific Committee, ILEC
Japan.
ILBM learning from India: Prof. Kodarkar M.S., member,
Scientific Committee, ILEC and member secretary of IAAB.
Women in ILBM implementation-A case from the
Philippines: Adlina S.Borja, member, Scientific Committee,
ILEC.
13.00-14.00 Lunch Break
14.00-15.30 Technical Session - II: Managing lake and their basin.
ILBM for the sustainability of Himalayan lakes: Shailendra Chaired by Prof. Kodarkar, M.S.
Pokharel, Program coordinator, NLCDC.
Glacial Lakes and wetlands in Bhutan Himalayas
: Dr. G. karma Choppel, National Coordinator, National
Environment Commission, Bhutan.
Challenges and opportunities in lake conservation and
management in Pakistan -A case study of Ucchali lakes
complex: Dr. Rahat Jabeen, Specialist, Sindh Water Sector
Improvement Project.
15.30-16.00 Tea Break
16.00-17.30 ILBM implementation for the conservation of Bhoj Chaired by Dr. Dinesh Bhuju,
Wetlands, Bhopal, India: Dr. Vipin Vyas and Shripana National Academy for Science and
Saxena, Lecturers, Borticola University. Technology.
Ecological Engineering and Ecotechnological applications
for lake pollution control in India: Sandeep Joshi, Director,
Shrishti Eco-Research Institute, Pune, India
Learning of WWF: Neera Pradhan, Program Manager,
WWF, Nepal
End of 1st day event
March 27, 2010 Lessons learning session I: Lake conservation in Nepal Chaired by Dr. Tirtha Bahadur

Appendix C j
 Shrestha, Biodiversity Expert.
09.00-11.00 Development of strategic plan of lake conservation in
Nepal: Ukesh Bhuju, NLCDC
High altitude wetlands conservation initiatives: Dr. Bishnu
Bhandari, Coordinator, ICIMOD.
Conservation status of Rajarani lake, Dhankuta district -
learning report of IUCN Nepal: Rajendra Khanal, and Juna
Giri
Morphometry, Water quality and Sedimentation of
Phewa lake, Pokhara, Nepal: Gyan Kumar Chhipi,
Lecturer, T.U.
11.00-11.30 Tea Break
11.30-13.30 Lessons learning session II: Lake conservation in Nepal Chaired by Adlina S. Borja
(Continue...)
Conservation and sustainable use of wetlands resources:
Top Bahadur Khatri and Salu Adhikari, CSUWN.
Learning of NTNC: Dr. Siddhartha Shrestha. Director,
National Trust for Nature Conservation
Learning of The Mountain Institute: Dr. Brian Penniston,
Country Representative, TMI
Journalism in addressing lake conservation issues in
Nepal: Dhruba Basnet, President. Nepal Forum of
Environment Journalists.
13.300-14.30 Lunch
14.30-16.30 Visioning the future Facilitated by Prof. Nakamura, M.
and Prof. Ram Prasad Chaudhary,
Central Dept. of Botany, TU.
Forward looking open discussion: Exploring the future
End of the 2nd day event
March 28, 2010 Field trip to Pokhara Applicable to international delegates
08.00-09.30 Flight to Pokhara Quick refresh in hotel
09.30-14.00 Interaction with District Development Committee,
Pokhara sub-metropolis, Lekhnath municipality and local
stakeholders
Visit to Begans, Rupa, Khaste , Neureni, and Gunde lake

Quick visit to wetlands education center

14.00-15-00 lunch pack in Baral Danda
15.00-16.30 Evening boating in lake Phewa
End of the 3rd day event
March 29, 2010
08.00-09.30 Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu
10.00-17.00 Meeting with different government personnel

Appendix C k