Tourism in Chitwan
Related story
Most roads leading to tourist destinations in need of immediate...
CHITWAN, Nov 21: Sauraha of Chitwan district is quite well-known as a tourist hub. It is estimated that around 90 percent of the tourists who come to Chitwan visit Sauraha and leave without exploring other areas of the district.
But according to Chitwan Tourism Development Board, there are as many as 40 places in Chitwan that are as mesmerizing as Sauraha.
"We have identified 40 places in Chitwan that have very high tourism prospects. We only have to figure out a way to bring more tourists to these areas," said Dilip Mainali, president of the board.
"Due to rivers, beautiful landscapes and rich flora and fauna, many places in Chitwan could be attractive destinations for both domestic and foreigner tourists," he explained.
The tourism board has enlisted Patihani, Jagatpur and Meghauli among highly attractive places for tourists.
Similarly, Upardangi, Siraichuli, Kavilas and Chaukidanda have been considered remarkable for those who want to study diverse lifestyle of several communities.
According to Shrawan Kumar Pokhrel, the local development officer of Chitwan district, the new places identified by the tourism board have remained under shadow.
"It is indeed a very exciting news that the tourism board has picked several other places as potential tourist destinations. With a little effort, the face of entire district can be changed," he said.
One of the major things that could draw tourists to Chitwan is waterfall, according to Pokhrel. The waterfall located at Jalbire road, which is just seven kilometers from the Munglin-Narayangarh road section, is simply stunning.
Binod Prakash Singh, chief district officer of Chitwan, said that he and his family had gone to see the waterfall recently.
"What we saw thrilled us," he said. Singh said that Chitwan's tourism prospects have yet to be fully exploited.
From Devghat to Triveni, water tourism is already a source of income for many. The places known for religious tourism can easily draw many more tourists if boating and other water sports are developed, according to locals.
Tankanath Poudel, member of Devgaht Area Development Committee said, "Number of tourists is sure to grow if water tourism is developed well."
The tourism board has also mentioned Parewakot, Bishajari, Golaghat, Maulakalika, Baikuntheswor, Shaktikhor and Someshworgadhi, among other localities, as possible tourism sites in Chitwan.
Taking to Republica, Bishwo Subedi, general secretary of the board, said that the board is taking serious initaitives to develop tourism in Chitwan.
President of Chitwan branch of FNCCI, Kalyan Joshi, meanwhile, stressed for the need to connect several destinations to hill districts and launch well studied programs in order to boost domestic tourism as well.
According to the board's President Mainali, total investment in the tourism sector in the district has been around five billion rupees so far. In the last few years, people have invested quite a lot in new highclass hotels in Chitwan.
