Tourist arrivals rise in Shuklaphanta National Park as domestic tourism gains momentum

Kanchanpur: Tourist attraction in Shuklaphanta National Park, one of the major tourist destinations in the Far West, has been steadily increasing.

Until Asad of the current fiscal year, 4,191 tourists have visited the park. This is 469 more than the 3,722 tourists who visited the park in the previous fiscal year. Tourist arrivals have increased by around 12.6 percent in the current fiscal year alone.

According to Purushottam Bagle, information officer of the park, a total of 1,657 female and 2,534 male tourists visited Shuklaphanta from Asod to Asad of the current fiscal year.

Domestic tourists continue to dominate the park’s visitor numbers. Out of the total visitors, 3,699 were Nepali tourists, including 1,513 women and 2,186 men. The statistics show that Nepali tourists account for around 88 percent of total visitors, indicating that Shuklaphanta is emerging as a major domestic tourism destination.

Similarly, 358 tourists from SAARC countries visited the park, including 87 women and 271 men. Likewise, 156 tourists from third countries visited the park, including 57 women and 99 men. Although the number of foreign tourists remains comparatively low, it has been gradually increasing in recent years. The number of foreign tourists in the current fiscal year has increased by 22 compared to the previous fiscal year.

According to monthly statistics, the highest number of tourists visited the park in Chait, with 621 visitors. This was followed by 580 in Kartik, 579 in Jestha, 554 in Baisakh and 424 in Asar. Due to favorable weather conditions and easier wildlife observation, tourist numbers tend to increase during Chait, Baisakh and Jestha.

The lowest number of tourists was recorded in Asoj, when only nine tourists visited the park. Similarly, 293 tourists visited in Mangsir, 369 in Magh, 376 in Poush and 386 in Falgun. The lower number of visitors in Asoj is attributed to the ongoing rainy season and the tourist season not having fully begun.

In the previous fiscal year 2081/82, a total of 3,722 tourists visited Shuklaphanta National Park. Among them, 3,371 were Nepali tourists, 199 were from SAARC countries and 152 were from third countries. While the number of Nepali and SAARC tourists has increased significantly in the current fiscal year, arrivals from third countries have remained relatively stable.

Spread over an area of around 305 square kilometers, Shuklaphanta National Park is recognized as one of the world’s largest habitats of the rare swamp deer.

Along with swamp deer, the park is home to wildlife species including tigers, wild elephants, one-horned rhinoceroses, leopards, nilgai, gazelles, wild boars, bears and jackals. The park is also a major attraction for bird lovers, with more than 450 species of birds recorded there.

The vast Shuklaphanta grassland, Ranital, Sikari Lake, Salgaudi Lake, Baba Lake, Salghari, Chaudhar River area, wildlife observation towers and natural trails inside the park are among the major attractions for tourists. Visitors can observe wildlife through elephant safaris, jeep safaris and morning and evening bird-watching activities.

Shuklaphanta National Park is being established as a unique destination for natural heritage, biodiversity and wildlife observation. With further improvements in infrastructure expansion, promotion and tourist-friendly services, the arrival of foreign tourists is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.