सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Kathmandu. ‘They say that the sun only sets in the west! Water tourism in western Nepal is facing a similar fate. Some businessmen are arguing that the era of rafting in Nepal is coming to an end, while the commercial era in the entire tourism sector, including water tourism, has not even begun in western Nepal,’ says businessman Janesh Bhandari.
He believes that while concerns are being expressed that rafting is in crisis in the eastern region due to various reasons, there has been no serious discussion about its commercial development in western Nepal, especially in the far west, which is a ‘virgin’ region.
‘Businessmen working in the east, in various forums and dialogues, express concerns that the era of rafting is coming to an end. The commercial era has not yet begun in the Far West, says Bhandari, a businessman who operates rafting in the Bajura section of the Karnali River, “The state has not been able to invest and publicize the promotion of tourism in the Far West. The problem of businessmen only operating in the east and fleeing if there is a problem, but not being interested in the possibilities of the far west remains. I say that many things start in the east and end there. This is also the case with water tourism.”
Another businessman, Devraj Jaishi, says that although the western region, including the Far West, was overlooked in the past due to geography and lack of communication networks, that situation is no longer the case, and if the state works according to the policy of making the Far West a destination, the entire country can benefit. ‘In terms of water tourism, the world-famous Karnali, Mahakali, Seti Karnali, Budhi Ganga and other rivers and natural heritages like Khaptad, Bharimalika, Ramaroshan, Shuklaphanta, Apisaipal are located in this region. There is just as much potential for religious tourism. If the government wants, the development of water tourism here can contribute to the development of the entire region.’
But ironically, a planned development blueprint has not yet been prepared to utilize these possibilities. In terms of water tourism, the Far West is even more neglected. It has been 50 years since the start of water tourism in Nepal, but Western Nepal is just moving to the left. In Mahakali, commercial development of water tourism has not yet occurred.
The outgoing president of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), Shiva Adhikari, says that it is sad that the rivers of the Far West, including the Mahakali, are not being used commercially despite the fact that rafting has been practiced in other parts of the country for half a century. He says, “It is ironic that among the permitted rivers in the country, the Mahakali is the only one where rafting is not practiced, even though this river is famous all over the world for its potential. Even though rafting has been practiced in the country for decades, there is only talk of potential here.”
The newly elected secretary of NARA believes that the utilization of natural resources and promotion of tourism in the Far West region is not due to a lack of entrepreneurs who want to do the work, but due to state policies. He says that the activities centered on Bagmati, Gandaki and their surroundings have not led to the commercial development of rafting on world-famous rivers like Mahakali and Karnali, and that there are various problems in other rivers as well.
‘Since the Mahakali is also a Nepal-India border river, there is no situation where businessmen can do anything here if they want. If the government facilitates it in a policy-based manner so that it can be carried out without any hindrance, the private sector is ready to work, but no government body is interested in this,’ he said, ‘There is a similar problem in other rivers as well. As the government has not conducted the necessary studies and invested in and managed essential infrastructure including possible routes, road expansion, accommodation at the starting and destination points, the benefits have not yet been realized.’
Bharat Badair Joshi, Mayor of Dadeldhura’s Parshuram Municipality, says that instead of ignoring the Mahakali as a border river, rafting should be developed here in collaboration with India.
‘Rafting can be done easily from Darchula to Dodhara Chandni in Kanchanpur. Last year, we confirmed that by planning a journey from Parshuramdham to Khalla in Kanchanpur in about two hours. Now there is a need for its commercial development. For that, we should communicate with India and take forward the work by addressing its security concerns,’ he said. ‘There are three levels of government in the country. The federal government has been spending crores in the tourism sector for decades, but a negligible portion of it is being invested in the Far West. An example of this is rafting. Discussions have started for a few years in this sector, where a lot of benefits can be gained with a small investment. Now, there is a need for necessary facilitation to take it forward commercially.’
There was a golden age in Nepal’s water tourism. Experts in this field consider that era to be the 1990s, but it did not touch the Far West. There were talks of potential here, but things did not work accordingly. Businessman Bhandari, who has been operating yachting in the Karnali (Bajura) section for the past nine years, says, ‘In the past, private organizations and government affiliates made noise, increased investment, and developed infrastructure, and the tourism sector flourished there, but geography and infrastructure cheated us. That situation is no longer the case. For the development of the Far West, which tourists want to see, rural life, development status, different lifestyles, religious beliefs, and unique natural landforms, the government now needs to focus here with the determination of making the Far West a destination.’
Tourists are leaving, businessmen are fleeing
If we take 1975 as a basis, it has been five decades since the commercial start of rafting in Nepal. There are more than six thousand rivers in the country, both small and large, of which the government has officially opened 18 rivers for rafting. Although it was said that 18 rivers were opened until the last decision by the then Council of Ministers on 12 Paush 2059, rafting is currently being done formally and informally on various other rivers in the country. Especially Trishuli, Kaligandaki Upper Khand, Kaligandaki Lower Khand, Seti Khola, Marsyangdi, Budhi Gandaki, Sunkoshi, Sunkoshi Upper Lokhand, Bhotekoshi, Balefi, Lower Arun, Tamor, Dudhkoshi, Karnali, Mahakali, Seti Karnali, Bheri and Babai are famous for rafting.
Since the river flowing from the high mountain range flows uninterruptedly, kissing the peaks of Pakha, Pakhera and Himchuchura, domestic and foreign tourists are eager to raft on these beautiful rivers. Therefore, Nepal is an attractive destination for adventure tourists around the world.
‘Rafting on the calm and still rivers flowing through the high mountain ranges provides an opportunity not only for adventure, entertainment and physical fitness, but also to see the natural landscape, diverse demographic presence, unique natural beauty, uninhabited villages, cultural heritage and wildlife, flora and biodiversity. That is why Nepal is the choice of adventure rafters around the world,’ says Adhikari, the outgoing president of Nara.
Entrepreneur Ganga Prasad Nepal says that Nepal is a major attractive destination for rafting because the opportunity to see the unique scenery of the mountains, hills and Terai in a single trip is rarely seen in other countries in the world. Entrepreneurs complain that such an important area has been in trouble recently due to state policies. Businessman Nim Bahadur Magar says that this area is facing problems such as turning rivers and streams into dumping sites, drying up rivers by damming them without draining other areas in the name of hydropower, and digging hills to block the natural flow of the river, causing floods and landslides.
‘The government’s policy is not clear. On the one hand, many rivers are becoming unfavorable for rafting in the name of hydropower. Meanwhile, the government is building hydropower on the river near Annapurna Base Camp. Due to high dams, the world-famous water tourism of Bhotekoshi, Marsyangdi, and Kaligandaki is not only shrinking, but has reached a point of extinction. Due to lack of far-sighted thinking, the flow of water has been blocked. Even 30 percent of the water that should be released for natural flow is not released. The condition of the rivers is being devastated due to floods, landslides, and drought. This puts rafting at risk. Tourists are getting stranded,’ he said.
In addition, the union, state and municipality have to pay taxes, but there is no concrete initiative for concessions from the state, which has led to the exodus of entrepreneurs, says Magar, former president of Nara. ‘A tourist from Dolalghat in Sunkoshi to Chatara has to pay 25-30 thousand. This does not make tourists come back. On the other hand, this business is very expensive. One has to pay more than Rs. 1.3 million for a boat, but there is no concession. There is a similar problem with maintenance. That is why entrepreneurs are in a state of exodus. At one time, there were more than 130 entrepreneurs, now there are only about 75, and not all of them are in a state of being active.’
Similar is the opinion of businessman Megh Magar. He says that on the one hand, the natural condition of the river is deteriorating, and on the other hand, the investment of businessmen is at risk because the state is not paying proper attention to the development, promotion and regulation of this area.
‘In the 1990s, the number of foreign tourists rafting in Nepal was good. In a way, that time was a golden era, but it was disrupted by conflict, earthquakes, political instability and other factors. After that, it could not catch up. The state only cared about trekking and mountaineering. There was no investment in rafting and river tourism, while Nepal is a world-class destination for water tourism like rafting and kayaking. Now we are really in trouble.’
Water tourism in Western Nepal
There are rivers like Karnali, Mahakali, Seti Karnali, Rapti, Babai, Thulo Bheri, Sano Bheri, Bheri, Humla, Mugu and Tila Karnali, Budhi Ganga. All these rivers have their own characteristics. Some are good for kayaking, some for fishing, some for rafting. There does not seem to be any concrete initiative for their commercial use. According to the information received, rafting packages of one to 18 days can be made in Karnali, 10 days in Bheri, 14 days in West Seti Karnali, and one day to six/seven days in Mahakali, but they have not been promoted.
Karnali Rafting and Adventure Pvt. Ltd. owner Jaishi says, ‘Until now, work has been going on as per the policies made by some organizations while sitting in Kathmandu. I hear some people talking about the river that can be rafted for 14 days, but it is only 10 meters wide. Rafting packages from half a day, one day to 18 days can be made here, but we have not found a platform to promote it.’
It is said that only four/five organizations are currently licensed in western Nepal. Not all of them are active, but companies that have not received a license are also entering the river at will. ‘We are working in this area by investing crores of rupees. A single boat costs more than Rs 13 lakh. There are no repair centers in all places. “The state does not provide concessions or incentives,” said Jaishi. “On top of that, companies, individuals, locals and foreigners who have not obtained a license are running rafting without any restrictions. There are no rules on which river and which route to operate. Since there is no body to regulate the existing rules, entrepreneurs are being harmed.”
Entrepreneur Bhandari also claims that the country can be transformed through water tourism if the state and the private sector work together to realize the tourism potential of western Nepal by reforming the past policy.” The Far West was ignored because it was far away. Targeted tourism tour packages were never created here. There are now three levels of government, but the situation has not changed. Now it is not the end of possibilities, new hope can be raised from the Far West. A new rhythm can be restored in the declining water tourism and overall tourism,” says Bhandari, who is also the owner of the Balive Ecovillage Hotel. “The Far West is a ‘virgin land’ in terms of tourism. Earlier, it was overshadowed by the near and far commentary. Now, roads have been built in many places, there is air facilities. Now, it is necessary to move forward with the spirit of the Far West as a destination, not because everything is deteriorating in Nepal, but because the Far West is an area of potential.’
Experts say that water tourism is not just about the river, but also about art, culture, lifestyle, education and society, faith and civilization, as these aspects are also connected to it.
There are religious centers like Parashuramdham, Ugratara, Melauli Bhagwati, Shaileshwari, Baidyanathdham, Badimalika, Kalikarjun, Behdababa, Brahmadev, Badikedar, and natural areas like Khaptad, Ramaroshan, Tikapur Park, Karnali Chisapani, Rajkanda where you can watch the sunrise, Ramaroshan, Jhilmila Lake, Bedkot Lake, Ghodaghodi Wetland Area, Shuklaphanta National Park. Within this geography, the original traditions, languages and literature of the Rautes to the Khas Aryas, the different costumes, lifestyles, food and drink from the Rana Tharu to the Sauka caste can be a ‘package’ for tourists.
Padam Bogati, the mayor of Bhimdatta Municipality Kanchanpur, says that everyone should come together for the development of Karnali and Mahakali in the far west, just like the development of the Trishuli, Bhotekoshi and other river areas in the east.
‘I remember around 2034/35 BS, ‘Enjoy the Beach’ was written in big letters in Trishuli. It meant going to the sandbank and sleeping comfortably. The Trishuli River Basin was used that way for many years. Look at Trishuli today, there are hotels and resorts all around. That potential is also there in Mahakali and Karnali, but so far it has not been used,’ he said. ‘Even if there are no big five-star hotels here, we can attract tourists by turning our settlements into homestays and offering a taste of traditional dishes.’
Now let’s do this
‘The state should be clear about whether we only need hydropower or prosperity. The poor rural people and settlements along the river banks benefit from prosperity, but if the natural river system is destroyed, no one benefits,’ says businessman Megh Ale, ‘Hydro can be done in any part of the river, but rafting is not possible everywhere. Therefore, benefits can be obtained by ensuring both things. The state should become serious.’
He said that there should be no delay in making full use of the Karnali and Mahakali rivers in the far west so as not to further deteriorate the natural nature of the rivers in the east. Magar says that since the Karnali is still among the five major rivers of the world and the Mahakali has the same potential, publicity here is necessary.
The outgoing chairman of Nara, Adhikari, says that since many people are now interested in the Mahakali River, they should cooperate with India and use it, and move forward by addressing the global interest in the Karnali and West Karnali rivers in a timely manner. ‘Many people say what India will do, nothing will happen if we cooperate with India. They are doing business worth crores by operating rafting in the same Mahakali, we are silent about what we do. Now let’s move forward through dialogue and cooperation, don’t delay,’ he said.
Businessman Jaishi says that many problems will be solved if the government determines the river route, provides infrastructure in the entry and destination areas, encourages licensed companies, stops illegal river entry, and facilitates publicity.
‘Currently, feasibility studies and official identification of routes have not been done in many rivers here. There has been no initiative to identify licensed companies, encourage them, or regulate the rivers. Indian and British companies bring rafts from there and enter the river and return, while companies from other countries also bring their own kayaking boats and use them. We are like innocent people after investing crores of rupees. This situation has to end,’ he said.
Former NARA President Nepal also says that it is now necessary to develop, promote and publicize the Far West destination. Stakeholders in this sector say that a policy of concessional air tickets for some time for Far West destinations, promotion of the destination on major world forums, encouragement of entrepreneurs for investment, government priority, and private sector professional organizations such as Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce, Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Nepal Confederation of Industries, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and others should further contribute to the development of the tourism potential of the Far West.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्