Fish recipes boost tourism in Lekhnath

POKHARA, July 27: The Lekhnath area of the Pokhara Metropolitan City is famed as a city of seven lakes, and all seven lakes there are enlisted in Ramsar sites.

Not just of the lakes it has, the small valley that lies to the northeast of the Prithvi Highway in Kaski district is equally popular for the fish recipes.

The businesspersons argue that touristic activities have increased there due to the fish recipes that tempt the visitors.

A large number of hotels and eateries on the banks of Begnas Lake, Majhikuna, Piple, and Damside offer a variety of fish recipes to a large number of visitors every day.

Most of the visitors throng the city of seven lakes to enjoy the fish dishes. The local people residing around Begnas, Rupa, and other lakes are engaged in commercial fish farming. Most of the households in the small village of Piple near Begnas Lake have fully relied on fishing in the lake.

Likewise, the number of fisheries has increased in Dipang, Khaste, Neureni, and Maidi lakes too.

According to Tek Bahadur Jalari, the owner of The Fisherman Restaurant, the area is popularly known as a common destination for fish lovers.

It is said that each household makes from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 in a month from fishing.

Jalari said that grilled fish is one of the most famous food items, and the recipe includes marinating fish with a blend of local spices, grilling, and serving with a side of aromatic and fresh vegetables.

According to Jalari, publicity on social networking sites including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms has further promoted the publicity of fish recipes from Majhikuna, Piple, and other vicinities.

The Rupa Lake Reinstatement and Fishery Cooperative Limited is also proactively working for the conservation and utilization of fish in the Rupa Lake, Chairman Shivaraj Adhikari said.

"This has increased economic and touristic activities," he said, adding that more than 1,030 members are engaged in the cooperative organization now and that it has offered direct jobs to 24 individuals.

The cooperative has produced fish worth Rs 20 million in a year, Adhikari shared.