Rs 1 million grant
PARBAT, June 10: Homestays in Parbat are expanding their capacity after the government of Gandaki Province announced a program to provide one million rupees to each to homestays in the province.
A total of 44 homestays in Parbat have been selected for the grant program to be distributed by Division Forest Office. But as the grant is being distributed without formulating any criteria, homestays having even basic infrastructures have been selected for the program. Some, however, are popular among visitors.
Baglung’s homestays become deserted
Most of the homestays like Chitre, Bhuk, Kyang, Shalija, Lekhfaat, Baaskhark, Banau and Triveni are in villages inhabited by indigenous nationalities. Chitre homestay, which is operated by Rural Tourism Homestay Development Committee, is popular among both domestic and international visitors. Until a decade ago, locals of Chitre homestay in Modi Rural Municipality-8 were facing difficulty accommodating their relatives and guests due to lack of infrastructures. Now, homestay have become a major source of income generation for this village of Gurung people.
Following the announcement of grant by the provincial government, Chitre homestay has drawn up plan to invest the grant in infrastructural development. “We will spend the amount to procure Panchebaja – an ensemble of traditional musical instruments – to welcome guests and build a multipurpose community building, among others,” Sushila Devi Gurung, chairperson of the committee, said.
Of the 44 homestays selected for the grant in Parbat district, 14 are in Modi Rural Municipality.
Nine homes in Khum of Falebas-2 have started building infrastructure like toilets and community homes, among others. The homestay of Magar community is managed by Dahare Deurali Community Homestay Management Committee. Jeet Bahadur Thapa Magar, a member of the committee, said the grant helped them to expedite infrastructure development work.
The homstay has already received first installment of the grant.
Five homestays of Mahashila Rural Municipality have also been selected for the grant. Duktan homestay of Mahashila-5 and Lamtun of Mahashila-5 plan to use the grant for preservation and promotion of local language, attire, culture and various forms of dance of the local people, Jivan Bikram Uchai Thakuri, chairperson of Ward 5 of Mahashila Rural Municipality said.
