Namphing Pokhari

Introduction:

pic: Tshering Doma Lepcha, PI, Temi BAC

Namphing is a village located in between Bermiok Tokal and Singtam in the South District of Sikkim. It is nearly 7 km from Singtam (Town in East Sikkim) and approx.  km from Block Administrative Centre, Temi Tarku. The village falls under Namphing GPU and the revenue block is divided into Upper Namphing and Lower Namphing for administrative purpose. This village is centrally located having a Junior High school and a Gram Prashasan Kendra with tri-junction to Singtam, Namchi and Chhalamthang Village and is well connected with Namchi and Gangtok  since the road stretches  from the heart of the village.

Just adjacent to School and GPK 2 lakes lie flat one of them have lost its existence due to human activity. Namphing Pokhari as known earlier was not single, the bhale (male) and Pothi (Female) collectively use to cater the need of the local people, also supported the percolation of Malbassey dhara located just below the duo. It is learnt that during the rainy season, duo used to come in physical contact and during dry season it seemed just like pond that the area experience high temperature as its topography is low lying and almost rain shadow. The distance between the two was not more than 100 metre with elevation difference of about 4 meter. It lies just few yards from Namchi-Gangtok road head. One unique feature can be observed that in spite of being so near to each other, boundary of two different panchayat ward viz. Upper Namphing and Lower Namphing separates the two.

Bhale Pokhari: before 1990s, this Pokhari used to be filled up with the water flowing down and accumulated from the surrounding due to down pour from June to October enabling the local youths and youngsters to swim to enjoy the soothing touch of water in pinching heat. But during 90s the local people, Panchayats and School Managing Committee prioritize the need of play ground and without pondering over the serious effect and aftermath, filled the lake with mud to convert it into playground. Namphing Junior High School which is adjacent to the lake became the curse for Lake but the lake became boon for the School and the youngsters of the locality and since than it is catering the need of the youngsters loosing its real identity. Now a day, accumulation of water does not take place as it is over flowed and drained towards Pothi Pokhari yet it use to show its existence in traces that during rainy season the playground seems like simsara and remains muddy for longer period.

Size: 65x60 meters.

Latitude: 27⁰ 13’ 43.77” N 

Longitude: 88⁰ 28’53.77” E

Altitude: 2409 ft (734.26 metre)

Pothi pokhari: This pokhari use to be filled with accumulated water throughout the year except its volume increased during the rainy season and decreased during the dry season. Till 1980s, there used to be a katus tree and many of the local people used to believe that it was a Devithan and used to perform pujas at the place. As and when the tree fell down, performing pujas also slowed down. The creation of the playground by silting Bhale Pokhari also made serious effect to this pokhari and gradually the accumulation of water in this pokhari slowed down. Nowadays the accumulation of water is only during the period of June to October.

Size: 15x20 meters.

Latitude: 27⁰ 13’ 41.22” N

Longitude: 88⁰ 28’ 54.84” E

Altitude: 2396 ft (730.30 meter)

2. History:

The lakes has no such myth and story that is been told so far by any ancestors. The happenings that have been recorded are of 1^st phase of 1990s as stated above. The creation of infrastructures like School, GPK, large scale Poultry Farm, construction of Road (Chhalamthang-Singtam Road) and houses disrupted the smooth flow of rain water and its volume of accumulation. The drain along the road also drains the flowing water thus not allowing it to accumulate in the lake.

 The water accumulated in the lakes were not utilized for drinking purposes but during dry seasons the people having their land below and adjacent to the lake used to utilize the water for irrigation purposes. Drying up of Malbassey Dhara shows the serious effect and also shows that if the lake is revived (only the pothi Pokhari can be revived) this will recharge the malbassey dhara which will cater the need of water for Lower Namphing (Manpari Busty) and the malbassey premises.

3. During rainy season the lake overflows and cannot handle the full volume of rain water that the lake is smaller in size and not so deep. Desilting and deepening might retain a large volume of rain water. The surrounding area is a tabled land and catchment treatment may not be so fruitful yet it may be instrumental to recharge Malbassey Dhara and may contribute to some extend. Pouring water from Bethghari source and Pabong Khola source through pipeline may be the next alternative.

4. If the Lake is recharged it shall cater the need of water for drinking and irrigation purposes (certain purification measures are to be taken for using it as potable drinking water) the lower Namphing Ward comprising of Lower Namnphing, Manpari and Malbassey village having almost 300 household and population of about 2500 including tenants (at Manpari tenants use to stay) will be benefitted.