Developing tourism in far west

Developing tourism in far west
Published in Kathmandu Post

By Ek Raj Sigdel
The Far Western Development Region (FWDR) is rich in biodiversity and cultural resources. However, the region is lagging far more behind in terms of income and employment opportunity to the local people than the other development regions of the country. The traditional agro-based income could be backed strongly by the tourism-based economy, if the latter is fully explored and managed timely. Tourism development could be the second best option after agricultural development for reducing poverty as well as ensuring long-term conservation of cultural and natural resources of FWDR.

In spite of full fledged implementation of 20-year Agricultural Perspective Plan and programs, the agricultural production has not matched people's expectation. On the other hand, forest is seen as a short-term lucrative business for the ever-increasing population of this region, especially in lowland terai. Over the last few years, forest encroachment for agricultural production has been on the rise. If the current trend of deforestation and degradation is not curbed, the country will lose thousands of hectares covered by forests let us say in two decades. As a result, the fertile soil of lowland terai will also be washed away gradually. The phenomenon will cause further loss in region's agricultural productivity, which will in return lead to the loss of biodiversity resources, making the situation of the poor even worse.

Therefore, the time has come to explore alternatives to uplift the socio-economic condition of the local people as well as ensure the conservation of biodiversity resources. In this regard, tourism development could be a viable option to achieve the dual goal of conservation and development simultaneously.

The Tenth Five-Year Plan recognizes tourism as a means to raise income of rural communities and also contributes to balance regional development of the country. With the objective of addressing rural poverty through tourism, the government, with the financial support of UNDP, has already piloted Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program in 48 VDCs of 6 districts. The final evaluation of the project reveals that the project can be categorized under one of the successful programs in Nepal. And, hence recommends for replication of similar type of community based rural tourism in the rest of the country. In this background, replication of similar type of project in FWDR would help reduce rural poverty, contribute to biodiversity conservation and supports to the very objective of balanced regional development.
The area has some unique natural and cultural heritages, which could be a source of inspiration for outsiders to learn and experience. For instance, Bardiya National Park (BNP), the largest park in lowland terai houses globally endangered wildlife species, including Bengal tiger, wild elephants, greater one- horned rhinos, black buck, and crocodile, among others. Likewise, the last remaining population of black buck is found in Khairapur, very close to BNP.

Similarly, Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR) is worldwide famous for the herd of swamp deer, the number of which currently stands at about 2000. It is also a home to Bengal tigers and wild elephants. According to the SWR source the number of tourists in the Reserve increased from a total of 16 in December 2005 to a total of 62 in the same month in 2006. The Ghodaghodi Lake, one of the Ramsar Sites in Nepal is also present in this region.

In addition, basking crocodiles at the islands of the Karnali river and dolphins at the confluence of Mohana, Geruwa and Karnali River in Bardia could entertain tourists. Mahakali and Karnali bridges, which are considered as the longest bridges of their types in the world, are other attractions. Birendra Aishowrya Park and Devaria Park in Dhangadi and Botanical Garden in Tikapur of Kailali district enhance tourism value of this region. A large number of Indian pilgrimage paying visit to Brahmadev, Betkot and Thakurdwara temples of Kanchanpur and Bardiya districts flock to the area. Tharus, mainly of Rana and Dangaura residing near the Park, are the local and original inhabitants of this virgin land.

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has recently identified and promoted Wild Western Triangle for Rara, Bardia and Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve for few years. Repackaging of all the aforementioned attractions in the Triangle could form a good package for tourism in this region. Moreover, eco-tourism corridor can be developed between Dudhuwa National Park and Katarnia Ghat Widlife Reserve of India and Bardiya National Park and Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve of Nepal. The air-link between Dhangadi and Kathmandu established by Buddha Air has raised a new hope for local communities of this region towards developing their areas as tourist destinations. In addition, availability of basic facilities like telephones, hotels, health posts, and vehicles also facilitate the areas to become tourist destinations.

In conclusion, it can be stated that a mere agriculture-dependent economy could not be a sustainable source of income and employment opportunity to the local community of this region. Considering the resource in the area, promotion of tourism, by mobilizing local authority and NTB could be an alternative means to overcome the issue of poverty and thereby ensure long-term conservation of biodiversity and cultural resources. It is high time to pilot rural tourism model in FWDR