By Sher Bahadur Sarki, Bajura, June 26: Chhededaha Lake, a tourist destination in Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality in Bajura district, has been awaiting conservation.

The lake, which is located between Ward No 4 and 7 of Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality, is at risk because of a landslide in Patnapani of Khati village in Ward No 4. The lake remained unprotected due to dispute among the locals of Khati and Lamgaun villages as the lake spreads in two separate wards of Khaptad Rural Municipality.

The Patnapani landslide triggered by recent incessant rains has reached near the lake. Although the local government could do something to preserve the lake, with the latest landslide, this possibility has ended, said Harka Bahadur Rawat, ward chairman of Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality-4.

He said that it has taken a long time to take measures to preserve the lake due to dispute among locals of Khati and Lamgaun villages. Both sides claimed the lake lies in their locality.

Despite the influx of domestic tourists from different parts of the district, the area has not improved much so far, Rawat added. The lake, which is a religious site for most of the locals, has not been fenced off, nor has it shelters for the guests. According to Rawat, the dispute is still going on due to which the lake has not been protected.

A case has been filed claiming ownership of the lake by the two villages, but it has not been resolved yet, he informed. The rural municipality has stated that the process of conserving and promoting the lake will be taken forward as soon as the border dispute is settled.

A general meeting will be organised in presence of social activists, intellectuals and locals of both wards to resolve the dispute. The rural municipality has also demanded protection of the lake, but nothing has been done as the dispute between the two villages has not been resolved.

After saving the lake from landslides, the disputed issue will be resolved and then the work of protection and promotion will be taken forward by dividing all the areas around the lake into parts, said Rawat.