Bardiya National Park sees rise in tourist arrivals

GULARIYA, JULY 19: The Bardiya National Park (BNP), a tourist destination in the far west of Tarai, has recorded a rise in tourist arrivals. The BNP is home to rich biodiversity, attracting visitors interested in seeing tigers, gharials, and various bird species.

Conservation officer at BNP, Purushottam Wagle, informed that the increased arrival of tourists in the park has encouraged tourism enterprises, which suffered the worst during COVID-19 and are now recovering gradually. The rise in tourist arrivals has also contributed to revenue.

In the fiscal year 2079/80, the BNP was visited by 24,324 tourists, generating revenue of Rs 22 million. The number rose to 26,131 in the fiscal year 2080/81, boosting revenue to Rs 28.4 million.

In the wake of increased tourist footfall, the BNP has emphasized better service delivery and improved tourism infrastructure. Jungle trails have been set up for walking and driving in the park, Wagle added. Similarly, initiatives have been launched to increase the number of hotels and homestays to ensure sufficient amenities.

Both domestic and foreign tourists visit the BNP. Tourism entrepreneur Ramaji Thapa informed that the influx of new visitors has energized the locals. The park visitors love Tharu culture, including their cuisines and pageants. "Foreign tourists are mesmerized by the biodiversity here," he said, adding that if the safari vehicles do not work in the BNP, the park rescues tourists immediately.

In the BNP area, there are over 30 tourist hotels and homestays, according to tourist guide Anuram Chaudhari. He also noted that foreign tourists prefer walking to vehicle safaris in the park.