The Devidaha located in Siraha’s Lahan Municipality-17 is becoming unsightly due to a lack of conservation efforts. Despite being a tourist destination, the physical infrastructure around the pond has deteriorated due to budget constraints.
If properly conserved, this pond, situated at the foot of the Chure hills, six kilometers north of Lahan Bazaar along the East-West Highway, could become a popular site for both domestic and foreign tourists.
Kapileshwar Yadav, the president of the Forest User Group and Devidaha Conservation Committee, stated that despite continuous efforts to conserve and enhance this wetland area spanning six hectares within the Devidaha Community Forest, no significant progress has been made.
“This pond is historically and religiously significant. It attracts crowds during fairs and festivals. There is a belief among devotees that prayers made here fulfill wishes and cure ailments,” he said. “However, due to a lack of budget, proper conservation is impossible. Some structures built around the pond are dilapidated, and others remain incomplete.”
According to him, out of five boats available for ‘water travel’ in the pond, only two are operational. During his tenure, Nepal’s first President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav visited the area and allocated a budget of NPR 1.59 crore under the ‘President Chure Development Program’ for the conservation of the pond. The budget was used to construct the Ram Janaki Temple, set up a drinking water management system, and other projects within the pond’s vicinity.
In 2020, the Nepal Tourism Board signed an agreement for a project worth NPR 5.22 crore for the conservation and beautification of Devidaha Pond, but it has not been implemented. The project could not proceed because the municipality did not bear its 30% share of the responsibility, as required. This failed to complete proposed projects such as paving the six-kilometer road from Khuttikhola to Devidaha, building a pavilion, a viewing tower, and a walking bridge.
Despite several requests to the current mayor Mahesh Prasad Chaudhary, no response has been received. First Lal Chaudhary, the ward chairperson of the same ward, mentioned that they have been doing their part for the development of Devidaha with the limited resources available to them. He added, “How many resources can the ward have? Still, we are doing our best to help.”
Last year, with an eight-lakh budget from the ward, the Devi Temple was constructed. Ward Chairperson Chaudhary emphasized that in the context of declining groundwater levels in the Chure region, the conservation and promotion of such ponds should be a priority for all three levels of government.
