BEGNAS LAKE

BEGNAS LAKE is the biggest lake in Lekhnath municipality and second biggest lake in Kaski district. All of the lakes in Pokhara city are created from Seti river and so is the Begnas. Various sayings are found for its naming. It is said that in ancient time, Hermits performed a big ‘Yagan’. In the meantime, the anxious demon Shankhadhur wanted to disturb and make the Yagan unsuccessful. So, he theft the sacred scriptures i.e. ‘Bedh’ from the Hermit and to destroy it, he jumped into the water. Later, by the help of God, the scriptures ‘Bedh’ was given to the hermit by the name of the demon. In this way, ‘Bedhnam’ is known to be ‘Begnas’ nowadays.
The area of Begnas Lake is about 323-1200 hector .and is about 7-10 meter deep at the height of 532 meter from the sea level. After putting the dam in 2044 B.S. by the help of China, the lake is felt to be secure. From the dam, a canal is taken out which is used to irrigate in the fields of Khudhi and Malmul in Lekhnath.
Begnas Lake is thought to be developed as a recreational lake by giving the various facilities to the internal and external visitors. The lake is given the name “Gokidays Recreation Lake” and by the internal tourist; it is said “Good Frida Lake”. Various Cottage Village Resorts are also established for the tourism purposes. The manufacture of local goods and utensils and their uses attracts the tourist which is in practice. Also the use of various fibre Boat, pedal boat and other tools instead of boat may also be very helpful for the attraction of tourists. The different kinds of fishes found here are Nepal famous which can win the heart of many people because of its beauty and taste as well.

GHUDAYE LAKE

It is located in Lekhnath 4 which is about 540 meter above the sea level. It is in rectangular size extending east-west 12.3870 hector in area. It is quite longer and has not much depth because of which it is also known as’ Children Lake.’
‘Ghud’ is grown in this lake for which it is said Ghudaye Lake. Children parks, Picnic spot, bathing spot, fresh water pond can be managed near the lake for business purpose. Children can enjoy swimming by wearing live jackets in this lake. To attract children, micro pedal boats and fibre boats can be conducted. By the Ghud, local people prepare local mats and various goods. This lake is provided to Ghudye fishring and Tourism Pvt. Lt. in rent by the municipality. Various Australian and Siberian birds also come in this area to save themselves from extreme cold. As large amount of Ghud can be found here, various handicraft goods can be prepared.

KHASTE

Khaste is in Lekhnath 3, 4 &6. The total area is 24.8030 hector and water area is 13.7370 hector. Fish farming have been conducted in this lake since some years. The area is also known as ‘Bird Wetland’ or the lake is known to be bird watching lake as the Siberian, Indian and Afghani birds come here to protect themselves from cold. This area can be the famous research centre for the birds of different types and species. To protect and conserve this lake; municipality has given to ‘Khastey Udham Pvt.Ltd.’ in rent within some circumstances. Because of the ‘Talbaraha Manhir’ (Temple) in the middle of this lake, it can also be developed as the famous religious place.

MAIDHI

MAIDHI LAKE is in Lekhnath-9 kaski. The total area of this lake is 53.8210 hector. This is the most endangered lake. Various views are found to be the reason for the name ‘Maidhi’. It is said that, the idol (Murti) of ‘Baraha Debta’ was established and because of the words Mandir (Temple) and Murti(idol), it became Maidhi. Further it is believed that, since the depth of this lake isn’t found, it is thus called ‘Maidhi’.
It can be developed as the ‘Lake of Bio-diversity’ as the most endangered species of rice especially Lavo, terrestrial vegetations, various species of animals can be found here but in less number which can be preserved with proper care. It is thought to be more attractive if dam is put in this lake as that of Begnas. Study of various food crops can be done in this area.

Rupa Lake

RUPA LAKE is in between Lekhnath municipality and Rupacot VDC. It is 600 meter about the sea level and is about 4-6 metre deep. It occupies about 163 hector of land and 1.15 sq. km. It is the second biggest lake in Lekhnath.

The origin of Rupa Lake is also from the Seti River and there are various sayings for its name but also it is mostly believed that it’s name is Rupa because it is at the foot of Rupacoat hill. Various endangered species of birds are found near this lake. Nowadays, fish farming is done by the association of people in the community as the business. Because of the less priority given to it for its conservation, it is in the danger list but this lake can be the famous and attractive tourist area if quite protection is given and planning be done to make it more beautiful.

Furthermore, to add its beauty, garden can be made full of different flowers which are possible as the width of this lake is quite small. Like this, protection of local terrestrial vegetation, flowers at the edge of the lake i.e. at the Buffer Zone helps to enhance this place as tourism spot. Also manufacturing of small Cottage nearby the lake places for meditation and Yoga helps in the attraction of more tourists in Rupa Lake.

CURRENT SOCIAL STATUS

Demographic indicators are important to formulate plan and policies for different population groups. Population structure helps to estimate productive age population, sizes of school age population and dependent population.Based on results of study, there are 11,859 households in this municipality where total population is 55,105. Out of total, male and female population is around 27,721 and 27,384 respectively. Average household size of this municipality is 4.6 and sex ratio(no. of male per 100 female)is found to be 101.2 and the overall dependency ratio is 58.5 which indicates the major of working age population were not migrated from this municipality. The majority of household have 3-4 persons(38%)followed by 5-6 persons in 35%households. Similarly,1-2 persons of household members is in third position(13%)and more than 6 household members is only 14%.This municipality followed the same trend of Nepal i.e. the majority of household are male headed household. Out of total household, proportion of female headed household is only 34%. Majority of the household head are in age group of 40-49 yrs. Less than 20 yrs. of age headed by household head is found in very less number. Majority of the population are reported married and living with single spouse indicates that monogamy is most dominant marital status in this area.Nepal is a multi lingual and has diversity in terms of ethnic composition. Obviously, this pattern is also observed in this municipality. Attempt has been taken to collect the information on cast/ethnicity, language as a mother tongue and religion which are the important aspects for social component of the society. The majorities are Brahman(33.7%) and followed by Gurung(16%), Dalit(15%),Chhetri(14.8%)and others in Lekhnath.

Migration is one of the central mechanisms of population rearrangement. It is a spatial mobility of people by changing usual place of residence. They have been migrating from one place to other i.e. rural to rural , urban to urban and rural to urban during the search or employment, education, etc. Some other reasons like natural calamities, political reason have also forced people to flee from their birthplace to other potential areas for livelihood. Similarly, poverty, inequitable distribution of income, unemployment, difficult livelihood and food insecurity are also important causes for migration. Migration information was collected by the village development committee level.

Those who are migrated to other places from the origin are internal migrants or in migrants. All migrants who have migrated and settled in destination from various origins are called in-migrants. Out-migrants are those internal migrants who leave their place of origin and migrate to different areas. So, for the place of origin, they are defined as out-migrants. A life time migrant is one who moves from his/her birthplace to present place or destination where they are enumerated at the time of survey irrespective of the no. of times they migrated. According to the investigation, about 44.8%people are migrated from their origin. Among this,54%are migrated by same district from other areas and only few %i.e. 4%people are migrated from other countries. Among 24,696 migrants,37.3%people are in-migrated for better lifestyle and followed by category of study, marriage(26.6%). In category of service  transfer and attractive wage few people are in-migrated as (0.8%) and (1.0%) respectively.

FEATURES OF 7 LAKES

BEGNAS LAKE

7 LAKES are the ornaments of the beautiful city Lekhnath which are very attractive and pure. The area of Lekhnath municipality is 78.93 sq. km. where 59 sq. km. is contained by the lakes only. The lakes are about 2-6 km. to the north of Prithivi highway. Although the lakes are in the narrow space, the natural beauty over here is very remarkable which can be used as a famous torist spot by uplifting the economic and social status. Macchapuchre, Dhaulagiri; Annapurna, Mountain ranges, Green forests, Hills and 7 lakes are the major features of Lekhnath city.

The 7 lakes are known to have different features because of which they all carry the equal importance to make the tourist visit them all. BEGNAS LAKE , which is the biggest lake in Lekhnath is thought to be an enjoyment spot. RUPA, the second biggest lake in Lekhnath is accepted to be the garden area and DIPANG to be the honeymoon spot. Similarly, KHASTEY is famous for bird watching, NEUREYNI for fishing, GHUDYE for children and MAAIDHI for bio-diversity. As all of them have different purposes to make the visitors satisfied, they are thus known collectively the ornaments of Lekhnath because of which the municipality is known to be the ‘GARDEN CITY OF 7 LAKES’.

‘City of 7 lakes is so called because of the beauty of 7 lakes which are in state of being one of the attractive touist area where visitors can enjoy and entertain themselves to make their mind fresh by the beautiful sight of the area. The natural scene found in observing the lakes here are very pure and heart touching because of which a person always remembers his visit in Lekhnath. The lakes can be visited easily if the link roads be made for their linkage so that they can be visited also in few hours because of which domestic as well as foreign tourist can enjoy its beauty even in their short period of time. Also the foot trekking facility can be conducted to the interested visitors on the package of 2 nights and 3 days to visit these lakes nicely.