Surkhet to expand Bulbule lake

Surkhet's iconic pond and major tourist spot, Bulbule Taal, is all set for expansion. The Surkhet Valley Town Development Committee has prepared a good plan for this purpose.

The Greater Bulbule Area Expansion Project has been implemented at a joint investment of the federal and provincial governments. The Directorate of Forests under the Province Government proceeded with construction of the structures in the Bulbule area since the fiscal year 2019/20. So far Rs 20 million has been spent on the lake expansion.

The plan is to expand the pond's area to 28,500 meters square from its present 12,000-meter square, said Gokarna Thapa, Engineer at the Surkhet Federal Project Implementation Unit. Thapa is providing technical support to the project.

According to him, the construction of path and embankment on the banks of Itram rivulet that flows through the Bulbule area has been completed. He added that a suspension bridge would be constructed over the rivulet this year. Moreover, this will make travel easier towards the picnic spot.

The expanded pond is not filled to the full due to seepage problems. "The lake is not filled fully due to the problem of leakage. The cause of the problem is underway. The problem of leakage would be sorted out this year," Thapa said, adding that 10 picnic spots and a bathroom would be constructed this year. The garden too would be made systematic and beautified.

Bulbule that sprawls on 31.5 bigha area is one of the main touristic places in Surkhet district. It is a must-see site for visitors coming to Surkhet. The number of visitors increases during holidays. As many as average 300 visitors visit Bulbule daily.

The government has been managing the Bulbule since 1972. The expansion and development project of Bulbule was partnered by the federal government in coordination with the provincial government and Birendranagar Municipality.

"Bulbule is the main identity of Surkhet and we are further developing this area into an attractive touristic site," informed Surkhet Mayor Dev Kumar Subedi. He also shared that all the structures in the area would be constructed according to the designed planning.

The main attractions of Bulbule lakes are the natural water springs, the artistic water spouts, and the park. The Municipality is also planning to operate boats after the expansion of the pond.