DOTI, March 4: Preparations for operating homestays in Bagaleg, which is known as the gateway to Khaptad National Park, have been started. The homestays will start operating from the mid-March under a joint initiative of Purbi Chauki Rural Municipality-2 and Hotel Entrepreneur Association, Doti.
“We are going to launch the homestay services starting from 10 houses,” said Dipak Bahadur Khadka, president of Doti Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
“We have selected the houses for this purpose after long rounds of discussion and efforts.”
Khadka further said that the criteria for the selected houses to operate homestay services are two guest rooms, a bathroom, and proper facility of drinking water.
Homestay not attracted by subsidy
Training programs for operating and managing the homestays are going to be started, according to the chamber officials.
Locals have been showing interest on operation of the homestays since long. “We had been thinking about running homestays for a long time. But, we only had a thought, not the technical knowledge,” said Bhim Bahadur Thakulla. “Now the rural municipality office, ward office, and Hotel Entrepreneur Association have assured providing the skills and knowledge required to run the homestays.”
“We are ready to operate the homestays if we get a chance to learn about operating them,” added Thakulla.
Local youths are also excited about running the homestays. “We have expectations that the problem of unemployment will be eradicated after the homestays open income opportunities,” said Bharat Saud, a local youth of Bagaleg. Purbi Chauki Rural Municipality has allocated Rs 300,000 for giving training to the locals about homestay operation. Purbi Chauki Rural Municipality Ward Number-2 has allocated additional Rs 200,000 for the same purpose. And, the ward chairman Yogendra Bahadur Thakulla has also been working actively to introduce the homestays in the ward.
“I have taken homestay as the main step for the economic development of the place,” said ward chairman Thakulla. “So, I am giving special focus to the homestays. “
“The locals have not been able to take the privilege despite living in the gateway to Khaptad, which is a major tourist area in the country. This problem will now come to an end,” added Thakulla.
Thakulla further said that he was ready to support anyone who wanted to operate business in the gateway to Khaptad- Bagaleg and Jhingrana.
Khaptad National Park, a protected area, was established in far western Nepal in 1984. It stretches over four districts of Bajhang Bajura, Achham, and Doti.
