Eco-tourism booms in Nawalpur’s community forests

November 21, Kathmandu: The community forests near the Chitwan National Park (CNP)- on the Nawalpur side- are attracting more tourists with their wildlife-based activities. The forests, which lie in the buffer zone of the CNP, offer a variety of attractions, such as jungle safari, aquatic birds, and diverse fauna.

Nar Bahadur Mahato, the chairman of the Dhakaha Buffer Zone community forest, said that wildlife tourism was their main source of income. “We have prioritized tourism because tourists visit here to see wildlife. Jungle safari is the major choice,” he said.

Mahato also said they had established an ‘eco corridor’ to attract more tourists. The corridor covers 2,020 hectares of land across various community forests. It provides a convenient trail for visitors to explore the area’s natural beauty.

Four other community forests under the Sishbar Consumers’ Committee are also planning to join the eco corridor project. They are also managing the meadows and wetlands to enhance the ecological value of the buffer zone.

The indigenous communities living near the forest are also promoting homestay facilities for tourists. Premshankar Mardaniyar Tharu, the central chairman of the Homestay Association, said that the number of homestays and hotels had recently increased. He added that they expected more growth in the future.