January 21: Kalu Ghale, who was born and grown up at Bhraka village of Ngisyang rural municipality-5 in upper Manang, turns nostalgic seeing weird changes in nature.    
The glacier at his doorstep and the splendid nature are the memories of the past.

"The Gangpurna Lake located at an altitude of 3,820 meters has gradually turned into an arid land," he said expressing utmost despair.    

If the lake had persisted, it could help attract tourists, but in vain.    
Ghale recalls, "Even the Swiss geologist Toni Hagen had photographed the Gangapura Lake in 1957 which is widely used for publicity. Since then, the lake has been made a base of further study on geological structure and climate change impacts."    
The nearly nine-kilometer long glacier is receding every year. It has been studied by foreign research centres as well.    
According to Shalik Ram Sigdel, a member of the research team, climate change, unusual avalanche and rainfall were causing existential threat to the lake.    
Similarly, a Visit-Manang campaigner Phurba Tamang said although new lakes like Tilicho and Gangapurna were being explored in Manang of late, the conservation of Gangapurna Lake must be kept in priority. The glacial lake, which is being studied for half a century, should not be left out.    
A team of local tourism campaigners including Phurba had found a new lake located 25 meters away from Chame. It was named Kajinsara Lake. Although the lake was publicized as the one located even above the Tilicho Lake, a scientific verification is awaited.    
In view of the researchers' warning over the extinction of the lake and changes in nature, the rural municipality has allocated Rs 30 million to restore the glory of the pristine lake. -- RSS