A Koseli Ghar (Souvenir House) is set to be constructed at the Exhibition Center in Nayabazar, Pokhara, the tourism capital of Nepal. The foundation stone for the Koseli Ghar was laid on Monday under the Green Jobs Creation Project, which promotes recycling and upcycling. This project is financially supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, KOICA Nepal Country Director Mohen Kong, and UNDP Asia Regional Director Christopher Bahite jointly laid the foundation stone for the Koseli Ghar. KOICA will invest $9.8 million, while UNDP will contribute $0.87 million for the project. The construction, awarded to International Engineering & Construction Company, Kathmandu, is expected to be completed within one year and six months.
The project will process non-decomposable waste and create new products, aiming to develop Koseli Ghar as both a learning center and a tourist attraction in Pokhara. Mayor Acharya emphasized that the project will support the circular economy while generating green jobs.
“Managing waste is a growing challenge, and this initiative will turn waste into valuable products,” said Mayor Acharya. “Through 136 community groups, reusable materials will be processed, contributing to economic empowerment.” He further highlighted that green jobs would be beneficial, especially for youths migrating abroad and homemakers. “The project will provide employment opportunities and generate income from waste. In its first phase, over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created,” he added.
KOICA Nepal Director Mohen Kong expressed confidence that the project would strengthen the partnership between Pokhara Metropolitan City and KOICA while achieving new milestones. He also mentioned that this initiative would serve as a model project for green job creation through recycling and upcycling in Pokhara.
Similarly, UNDP Asia Regional Director Christopher Bahite stated that the project would play a crucial role in promoting sustainable recycling and upcycling enterprises, contributing to the green economy. Pokhara Metropolitan City Deputy Mayor Manjudevi Gurung emphasized that the project would significantly contribute to building a clean and green Pokhara while creating green employment opportunities.
Chief District Officer of Kaski, Bharatmani Pandey, stated that the project would serve as an innovative employment-generating initiative for Pokhara, the tourism capital of Nepal. Additionally, Gokarna Karki, President of the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted that the project is important for employment creation, learning promotion, and production enhancement in Pokhara.
