CHITWAN: Bharatpur Metropolitan City (BMC) is gearing up to celebrate the approaching English New Year with the launch of the ‘Bharatpur Visit Year,’ encapsulated in the ‘Visit Bharatpur 2024’ program.

Positioned as a pivotal transit point between the capital Kathmandu and other destinations, Bharatpur holds a diverse appeal for tourists.

The BMC aims to attract one million visitors to various tourist destinations in Bharatpur over the next year.

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), along with major tourism organizations—NATTA, TAAN, and HAN— have actively supported this initiative.

The BMC has established numerous committees and sub-committees for both national and international promotion, fostering dialogue and collaboration.

Renu Dahal, Mayor of the BMC, emphasizes that the primary responsibility lies in ensuring the success of the ‘Visit Bharatpur’ program.

Chitwan’s fertile soil and commercial potential result in diverse crops and a thriving agricultural business, including banana and poultry farming. Bharatpur serves as both a learning center for students and a hub for agritourism, given its flourishing agricultural activities.

The presence of the renowned Chitwan National Park attracts a substantial number of tourists annually to Bharatpur, Meghauli, and Sauraha.

The BMC has asserted that the success of the “Visit Bharatpur Year” hinges on tourists accessing Sauraha and Meghauli through the Bharatpur route.

While Bharatpur boasts immense tourism potential, its management has historically been a weak link.

Key tourism opportunities include:

Wildlife Tourism:

Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is globally recognized for its tigers, rhinos, and elephants.

The park attracts millions of tourists annually, offering rare glimpses of these animals.

Jungle safaris conducted commercially from Sauraha and Meghauli to observe wildlife contribute significantly to Bharatpur’s appeal.

With the Visit Bharatpur program, almost 80 percent of tourism professionals foresee opportunities for job creation and economic growth, benefiting the businesses and residents of Bharatpur.

Health Tourism:

Dr. Bishwa Subedi, the planner of the ‘Visit Bharatpur’ program, highlights Chitwan’s prominence in health tourism.

The presence of Bharatpur Cancer Hospital and Chitwan Medical College positions Bharatpur as a hub for medical education and treatment.

Students aspiring to become doctors and nurses, as well as cancer patients, often choose Bharatpur, contributing to its reputation in health tourism.

If the existing infrastructure is organized and enhanced, it can automatically attract medical field tourists to Bharatpur.

Students pursuing medical education and patients seeking cancer treatment could also explore Bharatpur during their free time.

The planner of the ‘Visit Bharatpur’ program, Subedi, expresses confidence that Bharatpur, already established in health tourism, will gain further distinction through this initiative.

Sports Tourism:

Bharatpur has gained prominence with the announcement of the ‘Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium’ by comedians Sitaram Kattel “Dhurmus” and Kunjana Ghimire “Suntali”.

Although the Foundation has been laid through donations, the Bharatpur Metropolitan City is undertaking the responsibility of completing the remaining structure, delayed due to financial constraints.

This stadium, a joint effort between the Bagmati Province Government and Bharatpur Metropolitan City, will be Nepal’s second-largest and finest stadium after Mulpani Cricket Stadium.

Upon completion, it is poised to become the epicenter of the growing cricket craze in Nepal influenced by India.

Without effective management, there is a risk that the ambitious ‘Visit Bharatpur 2024’ program, set to be announced with great enthusiasm, may encounter challenges similar to the stalled ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ campaign due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mayor Dahal envisions that the stadium’s proximity to the border could make it a neutral venue for cricket matches between India and Pakistan.

Additionally, Bharatpur is recognized for world-famous elephant polo and other games, which need to be revitalized.

Agri-tourism:

Bharatpur is home to the Agriculture and Forestry University, attracting hundreds of students annually for higher education.

The university’s location, coupled with the presence of Chitwan National Park, enhances its appeal.

Chitwan’s fertile soil and commercial potential result in diverse crops and a thriving agricultural business, including banana and poultry farming. Bharatpur serves as both a learning center for students and a hub for agritourism, given its flourishing agricultural activities.

Water Tourism:

Bharatpur is synonymous with Narayanghat, and its identity is deeply intertwined with the Narayani river, which gracefully flows through Trishuli and Kaligandaki, forming an expansive bank.

Recently, the Narayani river bank in Bharatpur has emerged as a captivating destination for tourists.

As dusk settles, the river comes alive with activities, drawing crowds for rafting, boating, steamers, and cruises—an integral part of the Narayani river experience.

Given that Bharatpur is also known as Narayanghat, the Visit Bharatpur initiative holds significant potential for water tourism.

Moreover, both Chitwan and Bharatpur boast remarkable natural and cultural attractions.

The prominence of Chitwan as a headquarters has contributed to a substantial influx of visitors to Bharatpur.

Management Challenges:

Despite a sustained influx of tourists, the tourism infrastructure and management in Chitwan face challenges.

The profit-centric approach of tourism entrepreneurs and the infrastructure-focused mindset of government employees have resulted in lax management over the years.

To address this, the Visit Bharatpur Year must meticulously track every tourist visiting Chitwan, ensuring their stay is not only enjoyable but also memorable.

Without effective management, there is a risk that the ambitious ‘Visit Bharatpur 2024’ program, set to be announced with great enthusiasm, may encounter challenges similar to the stalled ‘Visit Nepal 2020’ campaign due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is imperative to enhance both infrastructure and management to fully realize the potential of Bharatpur as a premier tourist destination.