SUKLAPHANTA TOURISM FESTIVAL AMIDST GRAND GATHERING IN MAHENDRANAGAR
Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA) Far Western Regional Association launched ever First Suklaphanta Tourism Fair amidst a grand gathering in Mahendranagar of Kanchanpur on Friday, the 17th March 2017 in the premises of Suklaphanta National Park. Hundreds of tour operators from Nepal & Uttarakhand (Nainital, Dehradun, Delhi & other neighbouring areas) India have come to Mahendranagar to participate in the Fair which aims at disseminating more information about myriads of tourism potentialities of Far Western Nepal. The Fair inaugurated by Chief Guest NATTA Central Committee President Mr. Madhu Sudan Acharya focused on turning Kanchanpur into tourism hub in Farwest Nepal. Speaking on the occasion Chief Guest NATTA President Mr. Acharya underlined the fact that the pace of development in Far-West of Nepal will no more remain slower as the economic activities of the people are sureto grow more with the rapidly growing infrastructure and tourism in this part of the country. Regarding the Fair he commented, it is ‘better late than never’. Nepal Tourism Board’s commitment to market the products and the government’s commitment to development the infrastructure and most importantly the dream of the local denizens to convert the Far-West Nepal into a Beautiful Far-West Nepal are sure to pave the way further for tourism in the days to come. This place, he added, has both the attractions – Wildlife and adventure activity. Tourists can go for soft trekking while they visit the Jaljale Lake. President Acharya also gave away souvenirs and recognition to several dignified contributors in Far-West Tourism including media. NATTA Centre was represented by 2nd VP Mr. D.K. Sharma, Secretary Mr. Sudhir Kumar Upadhyay & CEO Prof. Hari Sarmah.
Government of Nepal has changed the status of Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve into Suklaphanta National Park effective from Pousa 7, 2073 (22 Dec., 2016). It covers an area of 305 skm. It is a prime habitat of swamp deer.
The Voice of Far-West: Development of Tourism is the slogan of three-day long Suklaphanta Tourism Fair 2017. During the inaugural session folk dances of local Rana Tharu community and musical performances were staged.
A workshop session of local tourism stakeholders and entrepreneurs was also held on the second day with the cooperation of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). The workshop was well attended and actively participated in by the tourism stakeholders from all over the district. It concluded with formulation of guidelines to develop tourism in various constituencies of Far-West.
Suklaphanta Tourism Fair 2017 was organised by NATTA Far-West, promoted by NTB and supported by DOC (Kanchanpur), Bhimdutta Municipality,Dhangarhi Sub-Municipality,mSuklaphanta National Park, WWF, NTNC Kanchanpur, NCCI Kanchanpur and Madhyavarti Chettra.