The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has announced its readiness to give the conservation and management of Kamal Pokhari to the local residents.

Speaking at an event after receiving opinions from residents,  KMC Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya said, he is ready to hand over the construction and preservation of the pond to the locals.

“There shall be no misuse of resources. The KMC would provide the money, but it will monitor its spending,” said Shakya.

Local residents have vowed not to make Kamal Pokhari like Rani Pokhari.

KMC’s reconstruction work of Rani Pokhari is in limbo after the earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015.

A big number fishes relocated to Kamal Pokhari from Rani Pokhari to make it dry died in January because of low water level and pollution in the pond.  

Ward-1 Chairperson Bharat Lal Shretha said, “We aim to make this historic pond into a model pond by cleaning it and conserving it in its original form.”

At present Kamal Pokhari spreads over 29 ropanis of land. Earlier it spread over 44 ropanis.

Shrestha said he would press the government to reclaim the encroached land.

Local residents want to set up a recreational place for children and the elderly.

Speaking at the event, Vastu Sastri (traditional Hindu architect expert) Basudev Sastri said, the pond must

be developed into a hub for traditional Hindu architecture site.

“If anybody needs to create traditional architecture at their homes, people can come here and get education,” said Sastri.

City Planning Commission Member Secretary Saroj Basnet concurred with Sastri.

“We have consulted experts to convert Kamal Pokhari into a tourist hub and link it with Thamel and Pashupatinath,” said Basnet.

The Pond has hosted Chhath festival for the past seven years. Residents plan to revive a fair that would take place during Jesta Sukla Pakshya.

The last King of Kantipur Jay Prakash Malla had started a cultural fair in the Pond. A few years later it was stopped.