Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 17:

Ranipokhari has once again been opened to the public. A fest is going on at the pokhari organised by MAC Pvt Ltd and promoted by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The event is on till July 3. “MAC Pvt Ltd forwarded a proposal to KMC to organise an event at Ranipokhari. It has said a certain part of the revenue generated will be utilised for community development,” said Noor Nidhi Neupane, tax officer at KMC. The Ranipokhari was built in the 19th century by Pratap Malla to console his wife after their son was trampled upon by an elephant. A similar event was organised last year to promote internal tourism and collect funds to clean the pond. However, the revenue collected was so little that the KMC could do nothing significant by way of cleaning it. Neupane did not say anything regarding the revenue collected last year. “Garbage was collected and deposited at the corners of the pond last year. This year, with revenue from the fair and with additional fund from KMC, we are planning to clean the pond and renovate it,” said Shadev Shrestha, chief at the Public Garden and Royal Nepal Academy Management Department. The organiser will give the KMC Rs 1,000 per day and the KMC has already allocated some amount for the pond’s renovation.