CHITWAN: A formal demand has been made to declare Chitwan as the tourism capital of Nepal.
Led by the District Coordination Committee (DCC) Chitwan, all seven local governments of the district, along with tourism stakeholders, have jointly recommended the Bagmati Province Government to grant Chitwan this status.
According to Narayan Prasad Adhikari, Chief of the DCC Chitwan, a recent meeting involving the heads of all seven municipalities, representatives from the private sector, tourism entrepreneurs, experts, and other stakeholders concluded with the unified request.
“Today, we are officially submitting this proposal to the Chief Minister of Bagmati Province,” he said.
Mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Renu Dahal, said that Chitwan is globally recognized as a top destination for safari tourism and thus is well-suited to be declared the tourism capital. She highlighted that the metropolis had observed 2024 as Visit Bharatpur Year to promote tourism.
Pralhad Sapkota, Mayor of Ratnanagar Municipality, stated that Chitwan hosts the highest number of tourism-related activities in the country. He noted that the Chitwan National Park attracts both national and international tourists for its biodiversity, rare wildlife, and opportunities for research and study.
Among the 100 destinations identified by the government, 20,000 lakes in Chitwan, Patihani, and Someshwar Gadhi have been listed, with Meghauli included as one of the top tourism destinations.
Tourism expert Bishwaraj Subedi stated that Chitwan qualifies as a tourism capital due to its natural, cultural, religious, and adventure attractions, along with accessible transportation, sufficient accommodation, tourist information centers, and supporting infrastructure.
This joint recommendation has intensified calls for both provincial and federal governments to recognize and invest in Chitwan’s growing tourism potential.
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