Gadbijula Lake in Kanchanpur Faces Existential Threat Due to Inter-Municipal Boundary Dispute

Gadbijula Lake, situated on the border between Krishnapur Municipality and Laljhandi Rural Municipality in Kanchanpur, is facing an existential crisis due to bickering between the two local levels and a lack of conservation efforts. The natural heritage site has fallen prey to encroachment because the boundary dispute, ongoing for years, has prevented its preservation.

This massive lake, which once spanned an area of 22 bighas, is now confined to only about five bighas. Due to a lack of conservation, a large portion of the lake is being filled up, while the remaining area is witnessing intense human encroachment. According to local resident Lalsingh Bohara, the delay in technically determining which municipality the lake falls under has created an obstacle to its conservation.