By Abinash Chaudhary
Dhangadi, Dec. 6: The famous Ghodaghodi Lake of Kailali, which is listed in the World Ramsar Area, is in danger of losing its beauty due to increasing pollution.
The lake, which is very important for biodiversity, is at risk of losing its credibility. The Lake area was listed as a World Ramsar Site in 2003.

However, in recent times, the lake has become dirty and polluted. Plastic and lead bottles are strewn all over, including inside the lake. Rajan Chaudhary, secretary of the Nature Conservation Club Bardiya and managing director of The Den Adventures Nepal, said that it is a matter of great concern that this beautiful lake is getting polluted.
“Ghodaghodi Lake is a virgin land and there is no such important area as this in our country,” he said while visiting the Ghodaghodi Lake area for bird watching. “It is not good to throw garbage everywhere making such a beautiful lake dirty. Such acts must be stopped immediately,” he added.

Sharing his experience of visiting the Lake lately, Chaudhary said that he has been observing the Ghodaghodi Lake area since 1997.
People come to the Lake area to worship in the temple and organise picnics. They have been littering the area carelessly. Similarly, it has been reported that people who roam around also litter randomly. In the forest area not far from the temple, lead bottles have been thrown everywhere.

Those involved in conservation understand that the solid waste around the Ghodaghodi Lake area is increasing pollution and affecting biodiversity.
Anuram Chaudhary, who has been working as a nature guide in Bardiya National Park, said that pollution was one of the reasons for the lower number of tourists in the Ghodaghodi Lake area.
Ghodaghodi Lake is also a centre of faith for the Tharu community. The people of the community consider the Lake as holy and have been performing “Lavangi Pooja” there every year.
Priest Aksharudas Chaudhary is also saddened that Ghodaghodi Lake, the centre of their faith, is getting polluted.

He said that he has been observing the Lake area for the last eight years. People do not have awareness about the harm of throwing trash everywhere in the lake. “They come with a bottle of water and food. They eat it and throw it away,” he complained.
Rising pollution in the Ghodaghodi Lake area has not only made the lake area ugly but is also affecting its aquatic and native life. Birds are being affected due to plastic waste. Similarly, monkeys living on forest food are eating the food that humans eat.

Conservationists insist that the Ghodaghodi Lake area should be declared a protected area immediately to prevent it from becoming more polluted and dreadful.
Greater Ghodaghodi Lake and Tourism Development Board Vice-Chairman Dayaram Chaudhary said that the Lake area would be declared a “Bird Sanctuary” within a month. “We are going to make it Nepal's first bird sanctuary,” he said.

Once Ghodaghodi Lake has been turned into a bird sanctuary, people will be barred to enter the area and engage in activities that could harm the birds.