JHAPA: A hidden green haven in eastern Jhapa is steadily making its way onto Nepal’s tourism map.
Bhelagudhi Wetlands and the Martyrs’ Memorial Park, located in Haldibari Rural Municipality–2, have begun attracting a growing number of domestic tourists and are fast gaining recognition as a promising eco-tourism destination.
A unique blend of natural beauty, biodiversity, and historical significance, the wetlands are proudly referred to by locals as the “Green Heart of Jhapa.” Spread across nearly 96 hectares at the junction of Haldibari, Bhadrapur, and Birtamod, the area is being developed as an ideal site for forest picnics, family outings, student study tours, and nature observation.
Visitor numbers have increased notably during the winter and spring seasons. Once overgrown with bushes and forest, Bhelagudhi has undergone a visible transformation in recent years.
Punya Prasad Lamsal, chairperson of the Bhelagudhi Community Forest Users Group, said the change began after the local government introduced a master plan and started systematic development. “Earlier, very few people visited this place. Things changed once planning and infrastructure development began,” he said.
At present, the site features 28 huts, drinking water facilities, and electricity in each hut. According to Lamsal, the availability of electricity has made the area more convenient for picnic groups. On holidays, 20 to 25 groups visit the wetlands, with steady footfall on regular days as well.
Visitors say social media has also played a role in promoting the destination. Pramila Rajbanshi, who visited Bhelagudhi with a women’s group from Damak, said she learned about the place through TikTok. “Another group from our cooperative had already visited, so we decided to come as well. I was pleasantly surprised to find such a beautiful place in our own district,” she said.
Biraj Humagain, a Grade 11 student from Arjundhara who visited on a school trip, echoed similar sentiments. “It’s wonderful to have such a peaceful and scenic place in Jhapa itself. We don’t need to travel far to enjoy nature,” he said.
Efforts to develop Bhelagudhi as a tourist site date back to 2064 BS, according to Narayan Prasad Luintel, former chairperson of the Bhelagudhi Wetland Area Development Consumer Committee. “We began conservation and development work with a small budget of Rs 100,000 from the Land Reforms Office, but progress stalled due to lack of funds,” he recalled.
Following the promulgation of the constitution, the wetland gained priority under local governments. Luintel said Haldibari Rural Municipality began preparing a master plan in 2076 BS and has since been developing infrastructure in phases.
Significant investment has gone into the project through coordination among federal, provincial, and local governments. Lamsal said Rs 13 million was invested through the federal Tourism Promotion Partnership Program, Rs 5 million came from the provincial government, with additional funding from the rural municipality.
According to him, infrastructure development worth an estimated Rs 83.9 million has been completed so far, including a community museum, bush clearing, fencing, road expansion, embankments along the Deuniya River, wooden bridges, pond embankments, a ring road, community buildings, and toilets.
However, he noted that a Rs 50 million project allocated in FY 2076/77 remains incomplete. “The contractor has yet to complete structures such as the zipline, fountain, and embankments,” Lamsal said. “Had these been completed, Bhelagudhi would be even more attractive.”
The growing tourism activity has also opened up local employment opportunities. Jyotsna Giri, a local resident, said increasing visitor numbers could support small businesses such as tea stalls and snack shops. “If the remaining works are completed, local youth will have better opportunities to earn within the village,” she said.
Beyond tourism, Bhelagudhi holds significant ecological value, hosting a variety of bird species, aquatic life, and native plants. The Martyrs’ Memorial Park adds historical and emotional significance to the site. Local resident Kumar Chhetri believes that with improved infrastructure, accessibility, and promotion, Bhelagudhi could become a major domestic tourism hub in Jhapa, noting its proximity to urban centers like Birtamod and Bhadrapur as a key advantage.
A confluence of nature, history, and community effort, Bhelagudhi Wetlands stand at the threshold of great potential. Locals remain confident that with the completion of pending infrastructure and sustainable management, the site will truly live up to its name as the Green Heart of Jhapa.
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