KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has said it could handover the responsibility of reconstruction, management and conservation of the historic Kamal Pokhari (pond) to locals.

During an interaction programme with locals regarding reconstruction issues of the pond organised Monday by the Urban Planning Commission, KMC, Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya announced the possibility of responsibility handover if locals agreed for the same.

'To restore the sites with historic and archaeological importance that were damaged by the 2015 earthquake to their original structure remains KMC's priority,' he said.

Federal Parliament member Gagan Thapa spoke of the need to reconstruct the structure within a year. He suggested KMC that it should play a role to make the place accessible to all, including people with disabilities.

Commission Member-Secretary Saroj Basnet assured that reconstruction of the pond would be carried out to make it artistic.

Locals present during the discussions asked KMC to bear in mind past practices for cleanliness and safety of the pond, protecting it from being encroached and preventing the misuse of resources.

They advised persons in authority to take initiations to organise an annual festival at the pond, include the locals in its management efforts, maintain its purity, and develop it into a safe, children and senior citizens-friendly public area.

The pond presently spreads in around 23 ropani and 14 aana of land. As per the rebuilding plan, the site will have four small ponds at four corners of the major pond and five stone spouts as well.