JHAPA: The scenic village of Salakpur, located 30 kilometers north of the Kakarbhitta border point in Jhapa, is buzzing with visitors as its orange orchards reach peak ripeness.
With the arrival of the harvest season, tourist numbers have surged, drawn by the opportunity to pick and taste fresh oranges straight from the trees.
Commercial orange farming spans 90 hectares in Salakpur of Rong Rural Municipality–6, Ilam. The orchards have become a major attraction not only for their produce but also for the experience they offer. Visitors—both Nepali and foreign—come to capture photos, shoot videos, and create TikTok content amid the lush, fruit-laden trees.
Around 30 local households run homestays, all of which are fully booked on Fridays and Saturdays, according to Ward Chairman Satyam Rai. He noted that around 100 domestic tourists visit the area each day to buy oranges and enjoy the orchard experience.
Most visitors come from Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari, while increasing numbers of tourists from Siliguri, Darjeeling, and Kolkata have also begun arriving.
Salakpur, along with nearby areas such as Kuwapani and Jaubari, is well-known for its large-scale orange production. Farmer Madan Bimali, who cultivates oranges on eight ropanis of land, is selling fresh oranges at Rs 130 per kilogram directly from his orchard.
He says this year’s harvest is the best in three years and that selling directly to consumers offers better returns than selling in bulk to traders. Tourists are allowed to pick and eat oranges in the orchard, but rules have been introduced to prevent indiscriminate plucking.
Another local farmer, Deven Khadka, cultivates oranges on 10 ropanis of land and says visitors are equally attracted by the scenic sunrise views from Gurdhum Hill, making the orchard area a dual attraction.
Orange cultivation in Salakpur dates back to 2004 BS when Gaurilal Lama, originally from Darjeeling, introduced orange plants to the area. While the early orchards used seedlings brought from Darjeeling, farmers now grow improved varieties sourced from Palpa, ensuring higher productivity. Lama says farmers face no market challenges, as traders from Jhapa purchase their produce reliably.
Salakpur is also known for other agricultural products such as cardamom, acacia, and honey, which draw students and researchers from across Nepal. Every year, the locally grown oranges are showcased at the Orange Festival in India’s Kolkata, helping promote the region’s agricultural identity internationally.
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