Pokhara is a metropolitan city in Nepal and the gateway to the Annapurna Range, base point for entering the Himalayan foothills. Given to its location, Pokhara has become an attractive destination and been announced as the tourism capital of Nepal in 2024. Exposed with natural blessings, Pokhara still needs to improve its infrastructure to keep up with the demands and tackle various challenges, from traffic congestion to inefficient public transportation, in addition to in effective development control threatening the city’s natural resources.
Sustainable Tourism Action Plan (STAP) addressing physical, policy, and economic measures is proposed to tackle the challenges and benefit wider urban communities and liveability. STAP is aimed to maintain the city’s tourism value by putting natural assets first – enhancing liveability for residents and visitors. The STAP builds on the strategic goals that support Pokhara Vision 2100: Beautiful, safe, and prosperous Pokhara.
Solutions
Identification of fifteen priority measures, each to be delivered in up to 24 months.
- Maximise the tourism potential of lakes, rivers, and streams by preserving and enhancing their natural value as tourist attractions.
Projects: Firke Khola Corridor Development Project, Seti Gorge at KI Singh Bridge, Botanical Garden Adjacent to Seti River - Expand local attractions beyond the city centre to other areas to reduce congestion in the main tourist areas and increase the economic benefits of tourism.
Projects: Panchase Ecodevelopment and Access, Sarangkot Adventure Hill - Improve opportunities to welcome and inform visitors by creating assets that provide better information and promote local tourist attractions.
Projects: Pokhara Entrance Park Development - Preserve core tourism assets while enhancing the overall tourist experience by improving liveability and visitor experiences in central tourist areas.
Projects: Lakeside and Urban Core Traffic Improvements, Bindabasini Area Street Redevelopment, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Multimodal Hub, Airport–Fewa Lake Enhanced Connectivity, Fewa Lake Organic Trail and Bunds, Green Pokhara: Greening Dense Urban Areas - Maximise the tourism potential of lakes and lakeside areas by improving the condition and tourism options for Fewa Lake and increasing access to other lakes.
Projects: Inter-lake Cycle Track, Begnas and Rupa Lakes Development, High-Speed Fewa–Begnas Connectivity
Sources:
https://www.icf.com/insights/environment/3-best-practices-creating-sustainable-cities
https://www.icf.com/clients/international-development/enhancing-livability-pokhara-nepal
Pokhara Sustainable Tourism Action Plan (ADB, March 2023)
