Surkhet, November 4
Authorities have decentralised tourist information collection in the Himalayan district of Dolpa to improve safety and management for both domestic and foreign visitors.
Previously, employees of Shey-Phoksundo National Park collected tourist details only at Suligad. The system is now being expanded to include Juphal Airport, the district headquarters, Dunai and other entry points into the district.
Chief District Officer Junu Hamal said the initiative aims to streamline tourist movement and maintain an integrated record of visitors entering Dolpa. While park employees have been collecting tourist details at Suligad, security personnel have been doing so at other locations in the district.
Police at Khadang in Tripurasundari Municipality, one of the main entry points into Dolpa, have also been collecting tourist information. CDO Hamal said records collected at Juphal Airport, Dunai and other entry points would now be systematically maintained.
Earlier, when information was collected only at Suligad, records were maintained of tourists entering Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality. However, collecting details of tourists travelling to Dolpo Buddha and Chharka Tangsong rural municipalities via Kaike Rural Municipality had remained a challenge. Expanding the collection system to different entry points and destinations is expected to help establish the actual number of tourists visiting the district.
Tourists visiting Dolpa should not face difficulties
CDO Hamal said authorities were working to ensure no tourist visiting Dolpa faces difficulties.
She said arrangements were being made for tourist safety and information collection, keeping in mind not only visitors travelling through travel agencies but also domestic tourists planning their trips independently.
She said particular attention was needed in security-sensitive areas, including the national park and other tourist destinations across the district.
In several parts of Upper Dolpa, including Shey-Phoksundo, Dolpo Buddha and Chharka Tangsong rural municipalities, poor communication facilities make it difficult to track tourists’ movements. According to Hamal, the mountainous terrain, adverse weather conditions and long distances pose challenges in obtaining timely information about tourists and providing assistance when necessary.
She said tourist movement, safety and management required special priority as areas including the Marim border crossing, which connects Dolpa with China, also fall within the district.
Maintaining records of tourists travelling to remote and border areas is considered necessary not only for security but also for managing emergencies.
Safety concerns after tourists stranded in snowfall
Tourists have occasionally been stranded or gone out of contact in remote tourist destinations in Dolpa due to adverse weather conditions. Recently, six Indian tourists stranded in Upper Dolpa due to snowfall had to be rescued by helicopter.
Weak communication networks and difficult geographical terrain have made it challenging to obtain information about their condition and carry out the rescue operation.
Authorities are now collecting tourist details, including the entry point through which they entered the district, their intended destinations and planned return dates. The initiative is expected to facilitate search and rescue operations during emergencies.
Maintaining records of tourists travelling independently is also expected to make it easier for concerned authorities to track their whereabouts.
Army rescues 12 tourists visiting Rara Lake
Meanwhile, the Nepali Army has safely rescued 12 domestic tourists who had gone to visit Rara Lake.
The tourists, residents of Bhandaribada in Chandannath Municipality-2 of Jumla, had lost their way and become stranded in Chuchhemara forest in Chhayanath Rara Municipality-8.
According to Khadga Bahadur Shrestha, commander of Hanumandhwaj Battalion at Rara, an army rescue team found them at around 10 pm and took them to a safe hotel.
Locals have called for the installation of directional signs and information boards along the route to Rara, as well as arrangements for trained guides.
