Kathmandu. Pokhara Metropolitan City has fixed the sale and price of marigolds targeting the festival.

Manohar Kadariya, chief of the Economic Development Division of the metropolis, said that 17 places in Pokhara have been designated for the sale and distribution of marigolds. Similarly, the price of marigolds has been fixed at Rs 500 per kg and Rs 200 per garland.

Devi Panchang Senior Citizens Meeting Centre of Pokhara Metropolitan City-1, Old Ward Office of Tundikhel, Sangamchowk Agriculture Bazaar Chautari of Pokhara-2, Ward Office premises of Pokhara-5, Sulabh Consumer Cooperatives Limited of Ward No. 6 and Falcha of Mahendrapul of Ward No. 9 have been designated as the selling of Sayapatri flowers.

Similarly, Pokhara Koseli House at Prithivichowk, Siddhartha Chowk Chautari of Pokhara-9, Pokhara Stadium of Ward-10, Kisan Bazaar of Ward-13, Office Premises of Ward-14, Kisan Bazaar of Ward-15, Thulipokhari Farmers Bazaar of Ward-16 and 19, Kisan Bazaar of Ward-17, Kisan Bazaar of Ward-17, Kisan Bazaar of Khudi, Pokhara-30, Kot Deurali Multi-purpose Agriculture Cooperative Limited of Ward No. 31 and Agro Products Wholesale Market of Talchowk of Ward No. 27 have been designated as the selling of marigolds.

Kadaria said that the price has been fixed on the basis of the quality of the flower and the place of sale in coordination with the concerned parties. The metropolis has also urged the concerned entrepreneurs not to sell and distribute plastic flower garlands during the Tihar festival to promote local production. A total of 42 nurseries and floriculture entrepreneurs affiliated to the Floriculture Association Nepal, Kaski have been producing and selling flowers in Pokhara.

In order to make the floriculture business competitive and sustainable, the association has also organized the ‘Ninth Godavari Flower Exhibition and Third Centennial Flower Fair’ in Pokhara on the eve of Tihar. According to the association, the exhibition started on Wednesday not only to observe the flowers but also to attract the general public for shopping. The exhibition has brought flower farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers together.

The exhibition aims to provide market to local flower producers and create an environment for consumers to purchase flowers and saplings in an easy manner, said Ram Prasad Subedi, president of the association.

There are 22 flower stalls, three of agricultural materials and 26 informative stalls in the exhibition. The flower show has been organized in Pokhara for the past few years with the objective of expanding the flower business and promoting the market.