BUTWAL, Dec 17: Province 5 government has chosen Bardiya to base its promotional campaign for Visit Nepal Year (VNY) 2020. The provincial Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment has decided to start the campaign from Thakudwara of Bardiya with the slogan 'Ghumna Jau Bardiya' (let's go visit Bardiya).
The provincial government has formed a 21-member committee under Tourism Minister Lila Giri for the purpose. Chief Minister Shankar Pokharel is the patron of the committee.
The secretariat for the VNY campaign is established in Butwal. District-level committees have been formed in the 12 districts of province that have already started the preparation for the campaign. According to secretariat chief Ganesh Ghimire, committees have also been formed in 109 local level units of the province.
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Under the eco-tourism package of Ghumna Jau Bardiya, tourists can experience jungle safari and will have an opportunity to observe wildlife that includes elephants, blackbucks and tigers, among others. According to Madhav Nepal, co-coordinator for the campaign, proposed tourism packages include cultural programs, homestays, and rafting in the Karnali River, among others.
According to Nepal, Lumbini, Tilaurakot, and Rani Mahal (Palpa) will be promoted as tourist destinations. Historical items from the Rana period will be kept for display in Rani Mahal, and 100,000 devotees will be given consecration at Swargadwari temple of Pyuthan, Nepal said. Likewise, there will be a special package for tourists who visit Pokhara, from where they will be sent to Sisne Mountain of Rukum via Dhorpatan.
Tourism packages will also include marathon from Jitgadhi to Nuwakot, food festival in Butwal, international Buddhist summit, and other promotional programs for Buddhism.
According to the secretariat, initiatives will be taken to prolong the stay of tourists in Lumbini.
Lumbini, Ramgram of Nawalparasi, Valmiki Ashram, Global Peace Park of Butwal, Baaunnakoti Forest, Banbatika of Shankarnagar, Nigalihawa, Mayadevi Temple, Tilaurakot, Jagdeshwor Lake, Sagar Lake, Tansen, Rani Mahal, Shreenagar Dada, Rambhadevi Temple, Supa Deurali of Arghakhanchi, Satyawati Tourism and Religious Center of Gulmi, Ruru, Dhorpatan, Maikot, Jaljala of Rolpa, Swargadwari of Pyuthan, Rockgarden, Okharkot, Bageshwori Temple of Banke, Bardiya National Park, and Dalla Homestay are among the places selected for the promotional campaigns.
According to Ghimire, the provincial government has allocated a budget of Rs 20 million for the VNY promotion campaigning. The federal government has provided Rs 2.5 million for the operation of the secretariat.
