Nature guide Kum Thakur attracts domestic and foreign tourists in Shuklaphanta National Park
Mahendranagar: Kum Thakur has become a favorite among domestic and foreign tourists visiting Shuklaphanta National Park, earning appreciation for his long experience and professional service as a nature guide.
Thakur, 37, from Nayabasti in Bhimdatta Municipality-14, Kanchanpur, works as a nature guide and says he is among the first to lead tourists inside Shuklaphanta. “Rather than sweating and suffering abroad, I am happy to give tourists an interview with wildlife and the environment at home,” he told RSS.
He currently serves as the president of the Nature Guide Association Shuklaphanta and is considered highly knowledgeable about the park. He said he returned from Malaysia in 2009 after three years of work and began working as a nature guide in late 2012. Since then, he has been working in Shuklaphanta National Park for 13 years. He also received nature guide training in 2007.
According to him, many wildlife species can be easily observed in Shuklaphanta during the summer season. “I take tourists around based on what wildlife species are found in which area,” he said, adding that the national park is famous for its rare wildlife and flora. He also noted that a large number of foreign tourists visit the park for birdwatching.
Thakur, who also works as a photographer, has documented wildlife through photos and videos and has taken photographers, models, artists, and vloggers to the park. He said foreign birdwatchers especially enjoy the environment of Shuklaphanta.
Having strong knowledge of the park’s geography and wildlife behavior, Thakur said that tigers can be seen 10 to 15 times a month during the summer season. Tourist flow increases from Falgun to the end of Jestha, with notable crowds even during Dashain and Tihar holidays. He added that more than 465 species of birds are found in the area, attracting both domestic and foreign tourists, with domestic visitors preferring tiger sightings and foreigners preferring birds, while many also come to observe wild bison.
Thakur, who works at Shuklaphanta Jungle Cottage, said he earns Rs 25 to 30 per month as a nature guide. He noted that only jeep safaris and jungle walks are currently available, but tourism could increase with further planning. He also mentioned that Shuklaphanta is an excellent destination for nature-based tourism.
In the Majhagaun and Nayabasti areas, which lie within the core region of the park, around 10 to 12 people are working as nature guides. He said junior guides earn Rs 1,000, while birdwatching tours can earn more than Rs 2,000.
Shuklaphanta National Park, spread over 305 square kilometers, is rich in bird species and biodiversity, making it suitable for nature study. The number of domestic and foreign tourists is increasing due to its vast grasslands and the presence of rare wildlife and plants.
He added that tigers are mostly seen in Ranital, Babatal, Salgaudi Lake, Chaudhar Khola, Shikari Lake, grasslands, and Barkaula areas.