By Nripendra Bahadur Malla, Mugu, Jan 24: The USAID Paani Programme has been launched here in Rara Lake, Nepal’s biggest and deepest fresh water lake, in a bid to conserve its biodiversity.

Paani program is a four year (2016-2020) programme of USAID to enhance Nepal’s ability to manage water resources through climate change adaptation and conserving freshwater biodiversity. The program has targeted the area of Karnali, Mahakali and Rapti river basins.

Karnali Community Development Center will be assisting the eleven-month long program in Rara-Khatyad Watershed Area which includes ward 9 of Chhayanath Rara Municipality along with ward 1 and 2 of Khatyad Gaunpalika.

Speaking at the inauguration of Paani Program in Mugu on Friday, Conservation Officer of Rara National Park Lal Bahadur Bhandari said, “The program will focus on conserving the biodiversity of the lake. It is now the responsibility of all of us to facilitate the program in any way possible.”

The program will be working for biodiversity reinforcement and waste management and will also form a committee to look after illegal fishing. Similarly, the program is also said to resume the flow of blocked spring water.

Being the biggest lake of Nepal, Rara is also one of the major tourist destinations but less had been done for protecting its biodiversity and waste management.

However, local government officials say they are concerned about conservation of lake’s biodiversity and management of waste.

“We will work with Paani Program to manage waste including horse manure and add dustbins in the area,” said Harijung Sahi, mayor of Chhayanath Rara Municipality. “The municipality has allocated a budget of Rs 3 million to manage waste in Rara.”