The construction of a ‘Tourist Lake’ in the Hile Jaljale Community Forest area of Banepa Municipality-2, Kavrepalanchok, is nearing its final stages. The project, which began in December 2022 under the Bagmati Province’s Ministry of Water Supply, Irrigation, and Energy, aims to transform the forest area into a prominent tourist destination.
Strategically located near the Kavrepalanchok and Bhaktapur district border, the lake is expected to attract visitors en route to the popular tourist destination of Nagarkot. The lake, being built in the Hile Jaljale Community ‘Kha’ Forest, spans 0.49 hectares, with 82% of the construction work already completed, according to the construction company.
The lake’s dam is being constructed at the confluence of the Okhare and Thumki streams, forming the Syuro River. Ganesh Moktan of Vijay-Lotus-Tejaswi JV, the construction company, stated that the work is progressing on schedule, despite interruptions due to heavy rainfall. He added that the lake’s floor has been concreted, and walls have been built around it, with only the final stages of waterproofing and water retention left to complete.
The contract for the lake’s construction was awarded NPR 58.95 million, while the total estimated cost for the lake and associated infrastructure is NPR 169.45 million. The lake will measure 8 meters in height, 11 meters in width, and 182 meters in length.
The construction of the lake was initiated after the Division Forest Office in Dhulikhel approved the felling of 129 trees in the area. Before this, the provincial Tourism Ministry had developed a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the multipurpose lake, which includes plans for boat operations, a recreational park, a wall, gardens, and natural beautification.
Additionally, the project includes plans to conserve local wildlife and birds within the lake’s vicinity. Future phases of the project involve building structures like tree houses and tree centers to extend tourist stays, as well as parking facilities, hotels, and shops. Once completed, the lake is expected to become a major tourist attraction near the federal capital, Kathmandu, and contribute to the economic prosperity of the local community by linking religious, cultural, and tourism aspects.
Gokul Baskota, a member of parliament from Kavrepalanchok, emphasized the importance of preserving the area’s natural beauty while developing the lake. He noted that the project aims to establish Banepa’s Basuki region and Hile-Jaljale as key destinations for tourism and prosperity.
The Hile-Jaljale area, located in a small pond, holds significant religious and cultural importance. According to local legend, Lord Shiva, after consuming poison, rested in the Mahadev Pond at Nagarkot and the Hile Jaljale area. Additionally, it is believed that the Basuki serpent from the Hile-Jaljale region travels to the Makar Mela in Panauti each year, causing rain and storms during the festival.
The legend also states that crops knocked down by the storm are miraculously restored to their original state once the Basuki serpent returns. The annual worship of the Basuki serpent during the Panauti festival is believed to fulfill the devotees’ wishes.
