BANKE: Banke National Park (BNP) is set to be branded and promoted as a tourism destination to attract more visitors to the district.
According to Birendra Prasad Kandel, senior conservation officer at Banke National Park, the promotion campaign will be carried out in coordination with all eight local levels, including Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, and other relevant agencies.
A coordination meeting held in Kohalpur on Tuesday decided to install large hoarding and information boards at the Duduwa checkpoint, Ranjha Chowk, Nepalgunj Airport and Kohalpur Chauraha to promote the park. The meeting also decided to strengthen coordination among Kohalpur Municipality, Banke National Park, the Nepal Army and other concerned agencies.
Kandel said necessary infrastructure has been developed in the park to promote tourism, while preparations are underway to operate safari services. He said the number of tourists taking safaris in the park has tripled compared with the previous fiscal year.
According to Kandel, the park now has adequate grasslands, artificial lakes, watchtowers and forest trails to support tourism activities.
Kohalpur Mayor Purna Prasad Acharya said the municipality is committed to linking tourism promotion with local development while ensuring the conservation of the national park. He said the municipality has been conducting awareness programmes in coordination with the park authorities and will continue to support efforts to promote tourism in the area.
The Banke National Park Office, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), INRUDEK, the Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal and other organizations are involved in promoting tourism in the park.
Established on Asadh 28, 2067 BS, Banke National Park was established primarily to conserve the habitat and biological corridors of tigers. The park has developed facilities targeting both domestic and international tourists, including walking trails, elephant safaris, homestays and water-based activities on the Rapti River.
Krishna Chaudhary, chairman of Gavar Valley Community Homestay, said star hotels and homestays have been operating in Nepalgunj and Kohalpur to accommodate tourists visiting the park.
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