KAILALI, Sept 14: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Yogesh Bhattarai on Saturday emphasized developing the Karnali River as a dolphin habitat and attraction.
"The government will extend its support for the conservation and promotion of the dolphins here," said Minister Bhattarai while inaugurating the Dolphin Festival organized in Kailali district by the Kailali Hotel Entrepreneurs Association.
New Whale-Dolphin hybrid discovered by scientists in Hawaii
"The government will consider investments to build habitats for dolphins in the confluence of Karnali, Mohana and Kada rivers," said Bhattarai, urging the concerned authorities to come up with a plan to promote local tourism.
Pledging government's support to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the promotion of local tourism, he reaffirmed his commitment to helping realize the dreams of Tikapur folks to see the Tikapur Airport operative. "We will send a technical team to conduct a feasibility study on operating the Airport. Rest assured, the team will commence its work soon," the Minister assured.
The 3-days Dolphin Festival aims to assist Visit Nepal Year 2020 and promote tourism and publicize dolphins that are so far only found in Karnali river confluence in the country, according to Tej Bahadur Bohara, one of the organizers of the Festival.
