If managed properly, the constituency could develop into a hot tourist destination. But despite the promises by political leaders of developing the constituency, the area paints a picture contrary to all the possibilities, say locals. [break]
The constituency hosts various religious shrines and ancient monuments like Pashupatinath Temple, a religious site enlisted in the UNESCO´s World Heritage Site, Charumati Bihar, Ganesh Temple, temples of Gyaneshwar Mahadev, Anand Bhairav, Maitidevi, Kapan Monastery, among others. Likewise, there are many beautiful scenic spots in Kapan, Chunikhel and Chapali Bhadrakali village development committees (VDCs).
The villages lie on the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley and have no proper road and are not linked by transportation facilities. As a result, the areas have failed to lure as many tourists as they could have, said Nanda Syangba, a resident of Kapan.
According to him, very few tourists visit the areas and enjoy the landscape and natural environment.
"Along with the tourist sites, there are many Buddhist monasteries, temples and other religious and archeological structures in the villages. But their importance have been overshadowed because of the lack of promotion," he said.
He argued that transforming the villages into tourist destinations would also lead to development of other physical infrastructures like drinking water and transportation facilities.
Despite the possibilities, the rural areas have failed to evolve into tourist destinations in lack of proper initiatives from the political leaders representing the constituency, blamed locals.
Likewise, there are many temples, shrines, rest houses and stone spouts in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) wards 1, 7, 8 and 33.
In the wards, there are many notable religious, historical and archeological structures. Narayanhiti Palace Museum is one of the major attractions located at ward-1. Likewise, there are also historic water spouts like Nandi Keshar, Gairhi Dhara and Teen Dhara. Nand Kishore Mahadev and Shanker Kriti Mahabihar are other significant religious sites.
"But the sites and water spouts are neglected. We want our political leaders to take lead to conserve the places and promote tourism," said Anish Joshi, a resident of Naxal.
He opined that along with the development of physical infrastructures like road, health and education facilities, it is also necessary to conserve and promote such historically, archeologically and religiously important sites and monuments. "It is our identity and that is what tourists want to see when they visit our country," he added.
Ward 33 is the birthplace of renowned poet Laxmi Prasad Devekota. The government has plans to turn the house of the poet into a museum, but the plan has never materialized.
In the last CA election, Subrabha Ghimire of Nepali Congress (NC) was elected with 13,451 votes. Bidya Devi Bhandari of CPN-UML had got 9,842 votes and stood second, whereas Pawan Man Shrestha from CPN-Maoist had received 9,224 votes to stand third.
But this time, the three major political parties have nominated three new candidates for the second CA election. Interestingly, all the three candidates are young and all of them have zeroed in on the protection of historical sites and promote tourism.
Gagan Thapa of NC, Nirmal Kuinkel of CPN-UML and Nanda Kishor Pun of UCPN-Maoist are contesting from the constituency. Likewise, Subhrahba Ghimire, who had won the last CA election from NC, has this time filed her independent candidacy from Kathmandu constituency- 4 and Uddhav Poudel of Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N) is contesting the election from the constituency.
"Frustration among locals is rife in the overall politics following the demise of the CA. But it is time to overcome their frustration. Apart from drafting the constitution, I will work to develop my constituency into a tourist hub," said he.
As locals gripe about political leaders forgetting their constituency after the election, Thapa has come up with a novel idea of establishing an office which would facilitate regular meetings between the locals and their representatives in the parliament to come together to discuss development agendas.
Similarly, Kuinkel says that his party has done a lot to open road tracks in the rural areas in the constituency. "Politics is always connected with development. If I win the election, I will take initiatives to open a road track from Chabahil, Kapan, Chunikhe to Budhanilkhantha. If the track can be developed, a lot of pilgrims and tourists can throng to the areas and it can also assist in the overall development of the areas," he said.
Likewise, Pun said he has been actively participating in resolving problems of drinking water, sewage management and other issues related with conservation of historical, archeological and religious sites, monuments and shrines.
There are around 56,000 voters in Kathmandu -4.
Candidates of major political parities
As the election nears, the candidates of three major political are all set to complete their door-to-door campaign. Along with door-to-door campaign, Thapa, Kuinkel, and Pun are also using social networking sites to impress their voters.
NC´s candidate Thapa had won the last CA election from the constituency under proportional representation system.
"My first priority is to draft the constitution. Our country will get a constitution only if our party gets a two-third majority," he said.
Likewise, CPN-UML candidate Kuinkel says that if he wins the election, he will work to develop physical infrastructures, especially roads, and promote tourism. As he himself is a youth leader, he will also focus on youth empowerment and employment.
Pun, the UCPN (Maoist) candidate, is a prominent leader. He claims that his candidacy is for the progressive constitution, which will end prolonged transition, strengthen nationalism and address other shortcomings. "I am dedicated to solve locals´ problems," he said.
Constituency No. 4
Kathmandu ward No: 1, 7, 8, 33
VDCs: Mahankal, Chapali Bhadrakali, Chunnikhel, Kapan,
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