FULBRIGHT LETTER-3 Water: The 10 m pristine stream

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Dear Friends, Water is the major natural resource of Nepal. In Pokhara, water is everywhere, even during the dry season. One day, a Nepalese student, Sachitra, took us (Rachel and me) for a walk. It was a short walk; it took about 15 minutes across dry farm lands. Then, we came to the edge of a cliff. It was a canyon with a 175 m sudden drop (Photo 1). We walked down the cliff. (Walking down was the easy part, but remember what goes down must go up.) From the bottom of the canyon, we saw pristine water in the form of springs (Photo 2), water falls (Photo 3) and dripping water in a cave (Photo 4). The water formed a pristine stream.

Photo 2: Springs in Pokhara (Photo taken by Sato; March 10, 2012)

Photo 3: A series of water falls in Pokhara (Photo taken by Sato; March 10, 2012)

Photo 1 (Right): Canyon in Pokhara (Photo taken by Sato; March 10, 2012)

FULBRIGHT LETTER-3 Water: The 10 m pristine stream

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The pristine stream in the cave is connected to a concrete channel at the cave entrance. Within just 10 meters from the cave entrance, the water is utilized by local people, primarily for bathing and laundry (Photos 5).

Photos 5: Water cave and channel: water is utilized for bathing and laundry in the channel (Photo taken by Sato; March 13, 20, 2012)

Photo 4: Water dripping in a cave, forming a pristine stream in Pokhara - Taking a picture of dripping water was difficult (Photo taken by Sato; March 10, 2012)

FULBRIGHT LETTER-3 Water: The 10 m pristine stream

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Since soap, shampoo containers and worn-out or accidentally ripped clothes are directly disposed of in or near the channel, the channel is blocked by trash, just 50 meters from the cave entrance (Photo 6).

There was another channel, disconnected from the cave. This channel was dry and filled with trash

(Photo 7).

Photo 6: Water channel is partially dammed by trash (packages and bottles of shampoo, soap and detergent)

Photo 7: Dried out stone channel filled with trash; close up view (right) (Photo taken by R. Sato; March 10, 2012)

FULBRIGHT LETTER-3 Water: The 10 m pristine stream

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As soon as the pristine water from the springs reaches the river (Pardi Khola or Pardi River) (Photo 8), the water is also utilized by people (Photos 9 and 10).

Photo 8: Spring’s pristine water reaches the river (Photo taken by Sato; March 10, 2012)

Photos 9: Laundry activities and trash in the river (Photo taken by Sato; March 10, 2012)

Photo 10: Laundry activity and a plume of detergent (right) in the river. (Photo taken by Sato; March 10, 2012)

FULBRIGHT LETTER-3 Water: The 10 m pristine stream

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Animals, particularly water buffalos, are the prominent source of pollutants. Water buffalos graze on the grassy land and bathe in the river (Photos 11). Animal dung (Photo 12) and carcasses (Photo 13) are common sights on the river beach.

Photos 11: Water buffalos grazing near the river (left), and basing in the river (right) (Photo taken by Sato; March 10, 2012)

Photo 12: Water buffalo’s dung on the river beach (Photo taken by Sato; March 10, 2012)

Photo 13: Animal carcass on the river beach (Photo taken by Sato; March 10, 2012)

FULBRIGHT LETTER-3 Water: The 10 m pristine stream

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Mismanagement of the water resources is obvious, at least in this area. The river is abused, and the water is already polluted before making its long journey to the sea (Photo 13).

Photo 14: Me and the trashed river (Photo taken by R. Sato; March 10, 2012) ------------- Appendix: “The 10 m pristine stream” behind the scenes

Photo A-1: Water dripping cave (Photo taken by Sachitra; March 10, 2012) From left: Rachel and Me

Photo A-2: Me looking for the shallowest cross section: Sachitra patiently waiting on the river beach (Photo taken by R. Sato; March 10, 2012)

Photo A-3: Me fearfully walking on a deteriorated suspension bridge (Photo taken by R. Sato; March 10, 2012).