Authorities began demolishing houses and temporary structures built on encroached pond land in Janakpur, bringing in an excavator on Saturday morning to clear the occupied areas.

The first phase of the operation is underway at Gordhoi Pond near Girnari Kuti, where authorities are clearing structures built on the pond’s encroached embankment.

The Guthi Sansthan, the government body responsible for managing and preserving Nepal’s cultural, religious and social heritage, issued a notice on July 17 asking people to vacate the encroached land.

Authorities also made public announcements across Janakpur on Friday, urging people occupying pond land to remove their structures voluntarily.

The demolition began after residents failed to comply with the notice and repeated warnings, said Kishor Kumar Jha of the Janakpurdham office of the Guthi Sansthan.

Jha said the first phase would focus on clearing encroachments from pond embankments. Of the 50 ponds identified as having been encroached upon in Janakpur, seven will be cleared in the first phase, he said.