Shey-Phoksundo luring domestic tourists

 

DOLPA, NOVEMBER 27 : Despite the decreasing temperatures, Phoksundo Lake, Nepal's deepest lake and often referred to as the "Blue Diamond," continues to draw both domestic and international tourists.

Nurendra Aryal, Chief Conservation Officer at Shey-Phoksundo National Park, reported that between mid-July and mid-October, a total of 1,632 tourists visited the Phoksundo Lake area. While domestic tourists form the majority, 326 tourists from SAARC and other countries also visited, generating revenue of Rs 1.053 million.

Since the beginning of the current fiscal year until October, the park has collected a total revenue of Rs 6.57 million from various sources including forest produce, eco-tourism fees, and entrance charges.

Laxman Devkota, a local resident of Tripurasundari Municipality-1, attributes the increasing number of domestic tourists to the region's rich cultural and natural heritage, including the Phoksundo Lake, Tripurasundari Temple, She-Gumba, and Dho Tarap.

Devkota emphasized the need for improved infrastructure, such as regularized Nepalgunj-Dolpa flights, an upgraded Bheri Corridor, and better-equipped hotels, to further boost tourism in the region.

Hoteliers in Dunai, the district headquarters, believe that domestic tourists will contribute significantly to the local economy, surpassing the impact of international tourists. The accessibility of Dunai by motorcycle and other vehicles via the Nepalgunj-Surkhet-Jajarkot-Rukum route has made it easier for domestic tourists to explore the region.