Eco-Tourism emerging as a foundation for prosperity in the Far west
Ghodaghodi: About seven kilometers north of Lamki Bazaar in Kailali lies the Aampani Waterfall, nestled in the Chure range. Located within the Bargada Community Forest in Mohanyal Rural Municipality–7, the waterfall remained largely unnoticed until a few years ago. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as people sought solitude and closeness to nature, Aampani Waterfall gradually gained attention.
According to Dhwaj Bahadur Shahi, secretary of the Bargada Community Forest Office, tourist numbers have increased significantly after the Far West Provincial Government invested around four million rupees under its tourism promotion program to manage the area. Similarly, Lohtiwa Lake in Bhajani–2 stands as an example of how forest conservation extends beyond protecting trees to reviving disappearing natural heritage. The encroached lake was reconstructed in 2062 BS through the initiative of the Radhakrishna Community Forest Users Group, and work is underway to establish a Tharu Museum nearby. Today, tourists visit the area daily for boating, forest picnics and nature observation.
Ghodaghodi Lake in Kailali is considered highly significant from an eco-tourism perspective. Declared Nepal’s first ‘World Century,’ the area is rich in biodiversity. Home to rare birds, fish and butterflies, the Ghodaghodi area has contributed to changes in the lifestyle of local residents, says Deepak Bahadur Shah, chairman of the Ghodaghodi Community Forest. He notes that the number of both domestic and international tourists has been steadily increasing.
In Kanchanpur, Shobhatal has also emerged as a major destination for domestic tourists in recent years. Protected by the freed Kamaiya community in Belauri Municipality–5 since 2061 BS, the lake has seen increased tourist arrivals after further management by the municipality. Ganesh Chaudhary, secretary of the Shobhatal Conservation Committee, says visitors come for forest picnics, boating and sightseeing.
The potential for eco-tourism in Kailali and Kanchanpur is vast. In Kailali, Karnali Chisapani, Rajkanda, the proposed cable car route, historic Tikapur Park, Aampani Waterfall in Lamki, Ghodaghodi Lake listed on the Ramsar World List, and the World Century area are major attractions. Other potential destinations include Lohtiwa Lake in Bhajani, forest areas around the Basanta Biological Corridor, Joganiya Lake in Gauriganga and the religious site of Behadababa.
Within Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City, Jokhar Lake, Devhariya Botanical Garden, and areas such as Godavari, Budhi Tola and Khanidanda in the Chure region are developing as new tourism centers. The historic Garbha Durbar in Chure Rural Municipality and the hiking trail leading to it have linked history with nature. In Kanchanpur, Shuklaphanta National Park, the Dodhara–Chandani area, Vedkot, Shobha, Jhilmila, Bandha Tal and Linga forest areas are emerging as important eco-tourism destinations.
Employment opportunities through eco-tourism
The growth of eco-tourism has also created employment and income-generating opportunities at the local level. Photography, horse riding, hotels and homestays are expanding, allowing youth to become self-employed within their villages instead of seeking work abroad. Basanta Kumar Shahi, who earns a living by offering horse rides to tourists, says he earns around Rs 1,200 per day.
Around 20 young men and women are employed in tourist photography in horse riding areas. Deepak Upadhyay of KI Singh Rural Municipality in Doti says he earns between Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,500 per day by taking photographs, without having to go abroad.
Approximately 30 bed-and-breakfast hotels are operating around Ghodaghodi. Hotelier Anita Chhetri says income increases significantly during festivals such as Maghi, the New Year and public holidays, reaching up to Rs 2,000 per day during peak periods. Similarly, homestays near Ghodaghodi have created income opportunities. According to Sitaram Chaudhary, chairman of Maghi Homestay, eco-tourism has helped introduce the culture and lifestyle of the Tharu community. In Kanchanpur, ward member Kripa Chaudhary of Belauri–5 says locals, including freed Kamaiya families, have found employment through the management of Shobhatal.
Conservation challenges
Alongside development, eco-tourism has brought challenges. Increased income has led to disputes over jurisdiction and revenue collection. In the Ghodaghodi Lake area, a dispute has arisen between the community forest users group and the municipality over revenue collection. Tensions escalated after Ghodaghodi Municipality issued a contract for fee collection without coordination with the community forest group that has long been involved in conservation.
Community Forestry Chairman Deepak Bahadur Shah alleges that the contract was awarded without consultation, leading to dissatisfaction among stakeholders. The municipality has since implemented the contract with the support of security agencies. Mayor Khadak Rawat says the municipality has agreed to move forward with management in collaboration with community forestry.
In contrast, a partnership model has been adopted at Shobhatal in Kanchanpur. Deputy Mayor Jogram Chaudhary says Belauri Municipality has decided to share 40 percent of the profits, while the conservation committee receives 60 percent. According to Conservation Committee Secretary Ganesh Chaudhary, discussions are underway to allocate a portion of income to the municipality, as the freed Kamaiyas have been protecting the lake.
Despite infrastructure development at sites such as Aampani Waterfall, issues related to garbage, vandalism and security have emerged. Damage to structures and littering, including discarded liquor bottles, have added new challenges to conservation efforts.
Government initiatives and future direction
Provincial and local governments, along with related bodies, have shown increased activity in developing eco-tourism in the Far West. Under the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, projects such as Nakshatra Batika in Chaumala, Tharu Maruwa, bridge construction and Aampani Waterfall management have been completed. According to Dabal Bahadur Bohara, head of the provincial tourism program implementation unit, future plans include a park near Chisapani Bridge, Bankabir Park, a hiking trail at Lamital in Attariya and the construction of a Nepal Mother statue at Bhamkeni Dham in Kanchanpur.
Former Director General of the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation, Deveshmani Tripathi, says eco-tourism in Kailali and Kanchanpur is still in its early stages. He cautions that excessive physical infrastructure in the name of tourism is not the solution. “The essence of eco-tourism lies in conserving local nature, culture and biodiversity while ensuring sustainable benefits,” he said.
Janak Padhya, Divisional Forest Officer at the Divisional Forest Office, Pahalmanpur, emphasizes that eco-tourism activities must be conservation-friendly and standards-based. He notes that sustainability can only be achieved by maintaining a balance between social, economic and environmental aspects.
Experts conclude that with active community participation, clear policies, regular monitoring and a strong focus on conservation, eco-tourism can lay a solid foundation for economic prosperity in the Far West while safeguarding biodiversity.