Surkhet, November 5
The Karnali Provincial Government has allocated Rs 12.3177 billion for the development and promotion of the tourism sector and the upgrading of tourist destinations across the province. The budget has been allocated for seven strategic programmes under the Karnali Province Tourism Master Plan (2020/21–2030/31).
According to details prepared by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of Karnali Province, the largest allocation of Rs 4.3215 billion has been set aside for the development and upgrading of tourism products. Similarly, Rs 2.981 billion has been allocated for the development and upgrading of tourism infrastructure.
A total of Rs 1.224 billion has been allocated for programmes aimed at increasing community participation and benefits from local tourism, Rs 1.074 billion for the conservation of cultural and natural heritage, and Rs 1.0185 billion for investment promotion and business development.
Likewise, Rs 871.4 million has been designated for policy development, institutional structures and human resource development, while Rs 827 million has been allocated for destination marketing, management and promotion.
Five major trekking routes identified
The ministry has identified five major trekking routes connecting the Himalayan and hilly regions of Karnali. These include the Upper, Middle and Lower Karnali sections of the Great Himalaya Trail, as well as the Upper and Lower Lake-to-Lake trekking routes.
The Upper Karnali section of the Great Himalaya Trail has been identified as an extremely adventurous trekking route. It extends from Chharka Bhot and Dho Tarap in Mustang through Saldang, Phoksundo and Shey Gompa to the Limi Valley and Hilsa in Mugu and Humla. The route will connect remote Himalayan settlements and tourist destinations in Dolpa, Mugu and Humla.
The Middle Karnali section extends from Dhorpatan through Maikot, Phoksundo, Kagmara Lake, Jumla, Danphe Lake and Ghucci Lagna to Rara Lake and Simkot. This route will connect tourist destinations in Dolpa, Jumla, Mugu and Humla.
Similarly, the Lower Karnali trekking route has been identified to extend from Dhorpatan through the Guerrilla Trek, Rukumkot, Syarpu Lake, the Sisne Himal Base Camp, Nalgad, Barekot, Kushe, Junichande, Pachal Waterfall and Raskot to Khaptad National Park.
The Lake-to-Lake trekking route has also been divided into two sections.
The Lower trekking route will extend from Dunai in Dolpa through Tripurakot, Suligad, Phoksundo Lake, Kagmara and Jumla to Rara Lake.
The proposed Upper trekking route will start from Rara Lake and pass through Gamgadhi, Takla, Bijer, Shey Gompa, Phoksundo Lake, Numala and Bagala passes before reaching Dho Tarap and Chharka and extending to the Mustang border.
These trekking routes aim to connect Karnali’s major lakes, mountains, religious and cultural heritage sites, and remote settlements through an integrated tourism network.
Rara Lake project achieves only 20 per cent progress in four years
A project worth Rs 452.91 million is underway to develop tourism infrastructure around Rara Lake in Mugu.
Although the agreement for the project was signed on Ashar 24, 2079, its physical progress has reached only 20 per cent even after four years. Payments amounting to 32 per cent of the contract value have already been made to the construction contractor, but work has stalled. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment.
The project aims to construct an approximately 15-kilometre tourist trail around Rara Lake. So far, stone paving has been completed along around 11 kilometres of the route. However, construction has not progressed at the expected pace. Following the expiry of the project deadline, the process of extending the contract period has been initiated.
Rs 211 million infrastructure project planned for Phoksundo
The Infrastructure Development Office in Dolpa has initiated an infrastructure development project worth Rs 211.244 million to promote tourism in the Phoksundo Lake area. Similarly, 20 per cent of the work planned for the development of the Ringmo settlement has been completed.
The project includes constructing a trekking trail from Sangta to Phoksundo Lake, developing a trekking route from Dunai, building resting shelters every two kilometres, constructing two truss bridges, providing drinking water facilities and developing walking trails leading to viewpoints.
Plans also include constructing a museum and a park in the Ringmo settlement. The project is targeted for completion by the end of Ashar 2084 BS.
Challenges in tourist data collection and security
Kalyani Khadka, Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, said that although tourists arrive in Karnali’s Himalayan districts through flights from Nepalgunj, collecting their details and managing their security remain challenging.
She said authorities face difficulties in tracking which areas tourists visit, monitoring their conditions and ensuring timely rescue and security services when needed.
She said measures were being taken to maintain records of tourist movements, establish information and security arrangements along risky trekking routes, deploy tourist police and strengthen emergency rescue systems.
Junu Hamal, Chief District Officer of Dolpa, said monitoring had been increased at all entry points and airports to ensure accurate and reliable records of domestic and foreign tourists visiting the district.
She said arrangements had been made to collect tourist information at Juphal Airport, Khadang and the district headquarters.
Hamal added that security arrangements had also been tightened following an increase in the number of people entering Dolpa without obtaining the required permits.
Incidents of tourists going missing, losing contact with authorities or becoming stranded due to adverse weather, particularly in remote Himalayan areas, have highlighted the challenges of tourism security. Authorities have therefore begun establishing systematic information and monitoring arrangements at all entry and exit points used by tourists.
Minister Khadka said tourist police were necessary in major tourist destinations across Karnali. She said the provincial government had informed the federal government about Karnali’s geographical conditions and the security challenges in its tourist areas and requested support.
She also said initiatives were underway to operate air services to the Himalayan districts directly from within Karnali Province.
