As soon as I heard about Bharat Lake in Sarlahi, I knew I had to visit it. I had heard that this man-made lake was becoming quite popular among tourists and locals alike, and I wanted to see it for myself. So, I packed my bags and headed towards the Bagmati Municipality in the Sarlahi district.
As I reached the lake, I was amazed by its sheer size. The lake covers an area of 121 bighas, with a depth of 35 feet. It was named after the honest and decent Mayor of Bagmati Municipality, Bharat Kumar Thapa, and it has become the pride of the district.
I was happy to learn that I could ride a motorboat or a jet boat to explore the lake. I chose the motorboat, which cost me Rs. 150 per person. The boat was lined with Nepali national flags, which flapped in the wind and gave the ride a unique feel. The whole trip took around 15 to 18 minutes, during which I got to play with the water and enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake.
As I rode the boat, I noticed that the lake was surrounded by green plants and flowers. I was told that during spring, the blooming flowers make the lake even more mesmerizing. The lake is also home to the Hansraj species of ducks, which swam around as I rode the boat.
However, the lake faces a significant challenge from floods during monsoon season. The Sarlahi district is heavily affected by floods in the Banke, Phuljhar, Lakhanda, and Bagmati rivers every year. The drainage of water is connected with India, and when the Indian government does not open the Sulis gate installed for drainage, the impact of floods is heavily felt. This has caused a lot of damage to local villages and houses.
But despite these challenges, Bagmati Municipality has big dreams for the lake. They want to make it a model artificial lake in Asia and promote it as a tourist destination. The municipality believes that if they can promote the lake, it will not only lead to tourism development but also help the economic prosperity of the town.
To control the impact of floods near the villages and Bharat Lake, the Nepal Army has imparted training to villagers on how to save the lives of flood victims and provide them with first aid using motor boats. The Nepal Red Cross Society has also recruited a team, along with an ambulance, in case of emergencies. The maintenance work of the river dam is also in progress to eliminate the possible risk of floods.
The development activities that are being carried out are helping a lot in promoting the lake. The construction of the east-west railway near the lake has already begun, and the erection of Nijgadh Fast Track is also in full swing. Once the Nijgadh Fast Track is completed, people from Kathmandu will be able to reach the lake within a brief period, ultimately contributing to the development of the state's economy.
I was glad that I had visited Bharat Lake, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to escape the distractions of the modern city and spend quality time with their family. The surrounding traditional villages and plain lands make the journey to the lake even more enjoyable. There are also many restaurants nearby that provide warm nights and needed facilities, so travellers don't need to worry about accommodation services.
In conclusion, Bharat Lake is rich in natural vegetation and beauty and has become a popular tourist destination in recent times. I hope the development activities continue and the lake becomes the model artificial lake of Asia that Bagmati Municipality dreams of.
photo credit: nepaltourismhub.com, landnepal.com
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