POKHARA: A fish festival is to be held at Begnas Lake on the occassion of Nepali New Year in Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolitan City of Kaski district.

The festival organised by Hotel and Restaurant Association, Lekhnath will be held from April 12 to 14.

According to Damodar Bhakta Thapa, Coordinator of Begnas Fish Festival promotion sub-committee, the festival is organised with the purpose of promoting the tourist areas in the region as well as local products such as fish, honey, coffee and herbal products.

In the festival, visitors will be able to enjoy motorboat rides on the lake, visit Begnas Barah Temple, observe the panorama of the area including seven lakes from a helicopter, informed Thapa, adding that the visiting fishermen will also be able to benefit from the 'fish diseases and water testing camp' and sale of fish.

Around 70,000 visitors are expected to participate and business worth around Rs 4 million is estimated to be conducted during the festival.

The festival is expected to earn Rs 1.7 million while spend Rs 1.6 million in various activities. It has been learnt that the remaining amount of 0.1 million would be utilised towards the cleaning of the lake and other social activities.