Karnali Province Allocates NPR 213.5 Million for Five Major Tourist Destinations, Sets Foundation for Tourism Decade
News Summary
Reviewed.
- The Karnali Province government has allocated NPR 213.5 million for the conservation and development of Rara, Kankrebihar, Bulbule, Kupinde, and Syarpu.
- The province has earmarked NPR 538.6 million for tourism promotion and infrastructure development including parks, gardens, trails, and viewpoints.
- Minister Kalyani Khadka stated that the Karnali Tourism Decade aims to create employment through conservation, infrastructure improvement, accessibility expansion, and skill development.
September 13, Surkhet – The Karnali Province government has initiated work this fiscal year with a substantial budget for the conservation, infrastructure development, and promotion of the region’s major tourist destinations.
The province plans to invest significantly in master plan implementation and in constructing tourism infrastructure such as buildings and roads at five key tourist spots.
The government has allocated NPR 213.5 million for the conservation and development of Rara Lake in Mugu, Kankrebihar in Surkhet, Bulbule Garden and Chauhan Park, Kupinde Pond in Salyan, and Syarpu Lake in Western Rukum.
Budget statement point 50 for fiscal year 2083/84 emphasizes effective implementation of the master plans for these destinations.
Focus on Master Plan Implementation
Along with destination development, the government has allocated NPR 538.6 million for overall tourism infrastructure, including parks, gardens, open spaces, foot trails, and viewpoints, as well as improvements to natural, religious, and cultural infrastructure.
According to Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Minister Kalyani Khadka, the policy is to advance Karnali’s tourism by improving infrastructure, services, and destination management.
“The government has allocated a substantial budget for the development of auxiliary infrastructure linked to tourism,” she said. “Efforts will be made to enhance urban aesthetics through parks, gardens, trails, viewpoints, and tourism infrastructure related to natural, religious, and cultural sites.”
Prioritizing Destinations from Rara to Syarpu
The five prioritized tourist areas hold unique cultural and natural significance for Karnali. Rara Lake in Mugu is renowned for its natural beauty and is considered a premier tourist spot in the region, while Kankrebihar in Surkhet carries archaeological and historical importance.
The government has plans to integrate Bulbule Garden and Chauhan Park with urban tourism.
Kupinde Pond in Salyan and Syarpu Lake in Western Rukum are targeted for development as natural tourism destinations.
The Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of the province has listed these sites as Karnali’s key tourist destinations, Minister Khadka shared.
Tourism Decade Aims to Create Employment
The provincial government is not limiting tourism to destination development but has adopted policies linking it to employment and local economic growth. In this regard, the ‘Karnali Tourism Decade’ will be launched.
This initiative will prioritize conservation, infrastructure development, improved accessibility, promotion, and service quality enhancement of major tourist destinations.
The government aims to use tourism as a foundation for economic transformation and job creation in the province.
Training programs will be implemented to develop skills related to hospitality, trekking guiding, indigenous architecture preservation, and promotion of local products. These efforts are expected to increase local participation and employment.
Challenges in Accessibility and Service Improvements
Although substantial investments have been announced for Karnali’s tourist spots, effective implementation remains a challenge. In the past, due to inadequate infrastructure, poor road access, hotel and water shortages, and lack of promotion, tourism development at Rara, Kankrebihar, Bulbule, Kupinde, and Syarpu struggled to progress as expected.
Previously, the province adopted a policy to develop tourism circuits linking Rara, She-Foksundo, Kupinde, Syarpu, Kankrebihar, Panchkoshi, and other natural, religious, and cultural heritage sites.
Now, the government is focusing not only on bringing tourists to destinations but also on creating an environment conducive to lengthening their stay. Initiatives include establishing a tourism information and archival center, informational materials, guidebooks, and safety and emergency support systems, Minister Khadka noted. Attention to other religious and tourist areas is also needed.
NPR 538.6 Million for Tourism Infrastructure
The government has allocated NPR 538.6 million for comprehensive tourism development, management, and promotion. The NPR 213.5 million earmarked for master plan implementation at the five key destinations forms a crucial part of this broader tourism strategy.
Karnali Province’s tourism policy emphasizes connecting tourism not only to natural beauty but also to agriculture, culture, adventure tourism, homestays, and local products. The goal is to generate income and employment at the village level by linking tourism with local cuisine, traditional architecture, culture, and lifestyle.
Expectations for Results from Investment
Tourism entrepreneurs and stakeholders have welcomed the budget allocation positively but emphasized the importance of effective implementation. Jitendra Jhakri, a tourism entrepreneur from Dolpa with over two decades of experience, highlighted the need for greater state investment in conserving and promoting Dolpa’s historical and religious heritage.
“Work remains to be done on preserving and promoting sites such as She Monastery and Crystal Mountain,” he said.
Karnali has numerous natural, historical, and cultural heritage sites including Rara, She-Foksundo, Syarpu, Kupinde, Kankrebihar, Panchkoshi, Sinja, and Limigau. However, business operators stress that weak road connectivity, irregular transport, accommodation shortages, inadequate water supply, communication, and information systems hinder tourist attraction growth.
Therefore, they suggest that future investment focus on destination development, accessibility, promotion, service quality, and linkages to local community income streams alongside physical infrastructure development.
If effectively implemented, the announced ‘Karnali Tourism Decade’ is expected not only to increase visitor arrivals but also to expand markets for hotels, homestays, transportation, handicrafts, agriculture, and local products. This will support using tourism as a basis for Karnali’s economic transformation.
Karnali Province is home to important natural, religious, historical, and adventure tourism areas. The prominent tourist destinations by district are as follows:
1. Surkhet
– Kankrebihar: A heritage site of historical and archaeological importance with Buddhist-Hindu significance
– Deuti Bajai Temple
– Bulbule Garden
– Siddhaila
– Tourist areas around Ganesh Chowk and Birendranagar
– Barahatal
– Chingad and Bheri River areas
2. Dailekh
– Prakash area including Shristhan, Navisthan, Paduka, and Dhuleshwor – famous Panchkoshi region
– Kotila
– Bhairavi Temple
– Historical and archaeological heritage of Dullu
– Jwala area
– Petroleum prospects and historical sites in Dailekh
3. Jajarkot
– Khalanga Palace area
– Jajarkot Palace
– Kushe area
– Bheri River and nearby natural areas
– Nalgad-Taksugad area, Barekot
– Chedagad and hilly natural landscapes
4. Western Rukum
– Syarpu Lake
– Banfikot area
– Around Chaurjahari
– Athbis Kot and Gotamkot areas
– Bheri River and hill trails
5. Salyan
– Kupinde Pond – a major tourist destination
– Khairabang Bhagwati Temple
– Chayanath and other religious and historical sites
– Natural areas around Kalimati and former Karnali-Rapti regions
6. Kalikot
– Pachal Jharna: one of Nepal’s tallest waterfalls
– Raskot region
– Mahavai area
– Tilagufa region
– Karnali River and surrounding natural landscapes
7. Jumla
– Sinja Valley: Historical origin site for Nepali language and Khas civilization
– Chandanath Temple
– Chandanath-Bhairavnath area
– Patarasi Himal
– Tila River area
– Historic and archaeological sites at Sinja
8. Mugu
– Rara Lake: Karnali’s most famous tourist destination
– Rara National Park
– Chayanath Dham
– Murmatap
– Trails and villages around Rara
9. Humla
– Limi Valley
– Ancient villages and monasteries in Limi
– Namkha area
– Simkot
– Hilsa
– Region linked to Kailash-Manasarovar pilgrimage route
– Karnali River and Himalayan trails
10. Dolpa
– Phoksundo Lake
– She-Phoksundo National Park
– Phoksundo Waterfall
– She Monastery, Bala Tripurasundari
– Ancient settlements and monasteries in Dolpa
– Phoksundo-She-Dolpa trail
– Kagmara and other Himalayan trails