A study carried out with support from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has shown that the lake is shrinking by 0.18 square kilometers every two years.[break]
The study carried out by Field Consultants with assistance from JICA projected the lake might face extinction in 150 years if the sedimentation of the lake´s banks continues at its present rate.
Although the lake is in dire straits, the authorities concerned are showing apathy towards addressing the problem.
Moreover, the pollution level has increased over the years despite millions of rupees spent on cleaning up the lake.
The lake is being encroached upon on all sides due to human settlements and their activities. The lake which covered an area of 984 hectares in 1960 has shrunk in its area to 443 hectares in 1999.
This indicates that the lake has shrunk by 55 per cent in a gap of 35 years. The locals living near the bank of the lake have turned the fringes of the lake that has turned into land due to deposition into rice fields.
Statistics shows that 3,200 ropanis area of the lake has been encroached upon. One thousand and six hundred ropanis of land on the fringes of the lake is found to have been registered in the name of individuals before 2030 BS.
A team comprising the Chief District Officer of Kaski district, local tourism entrepreneurs, representatives of the Pokhara Town Development Committee, officials of the Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City and journalists made an inspection of the lake on 11 January.
The team inspected about 15 kilometers of the lake from Dam site up to Khapaudi. It found that the lake has been extensively encroached on by humans.
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