KANCHANPUR: Tourists visiting Shuklaphanta National Park during the ongoing Shuklaphanta Tourism Festival are being provided with free nature guides, aiming to enhance their experience and promote the park as a prime tourist destination.
The festival, organized by Bhimdatta Municipality to mark the establishment day of Shuklaphanta National Park, began on Friday and will continue until February 27.
According to Rajendra KC, Coordinator of the Bhimdatta Municipality Tourism Development Committee, the initiative aims to attract more tourists by showcasing the park’s natural beauty and rich biodiversity. He also mentioned that the safari fees and nature guide costs are being supported by the national park to encourage more visitors.
Shuklaphanta National Park, spread over an area of 305 square kilometers, is known for its vast grasslands and diverse wildlife. It is home to 56 species of mammals, 56 species of reptiles, 15 species of amphibians, 88 species of fish, and 111 species of butterflies.
Rare animals such as leopards, one-horned rhinoceroses, elephants, black partridges, kingfishers, and lesser spotted owls can be spotted in the park. It is particularly famous for its large herds of buffaloes, with over 2,200 buffaloes, and other wildlife, including 25 wild elephants, 16 one-horned rhinos, and 42 leopards.
Highlighting the importance of promotion, Ramchandra Regmi, President of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, Kanchanpur, stressed the need to promote Shuklaphanta at national and international levels. He emphasized that while local private sector initiatives are helpful, government intervention is essential to attract more foreign tourists.
The week-long festival also includes activities such as cleanliness drives, essay competitions, and interactions with tourism entrepreneurs and travel agents from Nepal and India, aiming to foster tourism collaboration and enhance the visibility of Shuklaphanta National Park as a premier travel destination.
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