Land use consideration in urban environmental management in Pokhara, Nepal :|ba study to manage the environment of Phewa Lakeside-Baidam Area | |
| Author | Shambhu, K. C. |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.UE-97-06 |
| Subject(s) | Urban ecology--Nepal--Pokhara Land use, Urban--Nepal--Pokhara |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Urbanization is an inevitable process in the developing countries like Nepal. The urban population of Nepal reached 2.3 million by the end of 1997, which is about 11 percent of the total population. The urban population of Nepal is increasing at the rate that is more than three times of the national average growth rate of 2.6 percent. The present population of Pokhara town is about 150, 000 and increasing at the rate of 7.5 percent annually. The presence of the Phewa Lake, unhindered panoramic views of Annapurna Himalayan range and establishment of an ideal point for starting various treks turned Pokhara into a second most visited tourist area after Kathmandu Valley. The study area is focused particularly on Phewa Lakeside-Baidam Area of Pokhara town in which attempts are made to analyze the relationship between Baidam Area settlements and its impact on Phewa Lakeside nearby. A qualitative research approach is adopted to analyze the problems. The study is also based on some semi-structured interview to make the study more intensive. The semi-structured questionnaire, albeit open, were distributed among local inhabitants, elected municipal authorities, officials, planners and experts as well foreign tourists visiting Pokhara. Secondary data and information were also taken into consideration so as to make the study meaningful and more reliable. The study has focused mainly on two issues: firstly, present environmental situation of Phewa Lakeside of Baidam Area including Baidam settlements itself and secondly, urban land use practices with zoning and building regulations in Phewa Lakeside-Baidam Area. Findings revealed that the pollution level has been increased in Phewa Lake and in Phewa Lakeside-Baidam Area tremendously. It is also found that ineffective implementation of building regulations and poor network infrastructure such as storm water drainage, sewerage and poor sanitation facilities have resulted in the degradation of environment of Phewa Lake and Baidam Area. As has been revealed through this study, there is positive correlation between present land use practices in Phewa Lakeside-Baidam Area and Phewa Lake water quality, resulting in.increased lake water pollution. In order to minimize the level of water pollution in Phewa Lake and in order to improve urban environmental situation of Phewa Lakeside-Biadam Area, the study has presented management options in the form of action plan. Planning interventions have been proposed to manage the situation for sustainable tourism and urban environmental problems. The land use planning could be helpful for improving the urban environment by directing urban growth in planned way. Since Landowners, developers and tourism entrepreneurs are found gaining more benefits from tourism sectors and present public network infrastructure without paying much to the municipality, they should contribute some more for necessary network infrastructure and controlling the level of pollution. |
| Year | 1998 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Zimmermann, Willi; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Archer, R.W.;Morishita, H.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Regional Urban Development Office;United States Agency for International Development, New Delhi, India;Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA);Canadian Universities Consortium (CUC); |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1998 |