LEKHANATH: Concerned stakeholders in Lekhnath Municipality have launched a massive campaign to remove water hyacinth from the Begnas Lake of Kaski district.

The campaign was started after the water hyacinth started to envelope the Begnas Lake, one the tourist destinations of Pokhara.

According to Durga Prasad Adhikari, Chairman of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Lekhnath Municipality, the campaign of removing the water hyacinth from the lake has been organised every Saturday.

Adhikari informed that the growth of water hyacinth, not only spoiled the exquisiteness of Begnas Lake, but also created problems to boat entrepreneurs as well as fishermen.

Adhikari further said that business of more than 40 hotels and restaurants in the tourist hub will be affected if the plants are not removed promptly.

Dhaknath Kandel, Chairman of the Boat Entrepreneurs Committee stated that 257 boats operated in the lake are facing a hard time to function at the present owing to the invasive weeds.

Fisherman Govinda Jhalari informed that more than four dozen fishermen families, who eke out their lives by fishing in the lake, are also facing difficulties.

Ram Mani Adhikari, Legal Officer of the Lekhanath Municipality informed that the municipality has even allocated budget for the campaign.

Locals had witnessed the water hyacinth in the lake for the first time in 2001.

Out of seven lakes in the Lekhnath Municipality, Begnas Lake is the biggest lake covering 373 hectare of land.

Water hyacinth is considered to be one of the fastest growing floating aquatic plants with broad, thick and ovate leaves that blocks free flow of water.