Ghodaghodi sees surge in domestic tourist activity

KATHMANDU: Ghodaghodi Lake in Kailali, which is listed as a Ramsar site, has seen a surge in tourist activity recently.

According to Deepak Bahadur Shah, Chair of the Ghodaghodi Community Forest, the number of visitors has significantly increased since the Dashain festival.

A small entry fee of Rs 10 is charged to visitors, but Shah mentioned that managing the ticket sales became challenging during the festival due to the large influx of people. He also noted that domestic tourist numbers have been steadily rising.

The increase in visitors has also benefited local photographers.

Laxman Sunar, one of the 25 photographers in the area, shared that before Dashain, they earned around Rs 1,000 to 1,500 per day.

However, since the festival, daily earnings have jumped to Rs 5,000, thanks to the growing number of tourists.

Along with photographers, the hotel and hospitality sector around Ghodaghodi has also thrived. Raju Awasthi, a hotel owner, stated that the influx of tourists, especially during Dashain, has boosted their business. “If we can attract tourists year-round, not just during festivals, this could become a sustainable source of income for us,” he said.

Another attraction for visitors is Ojhuwa Lake, which is connected to Ghodaghodi. Many tourists trek from Ghodaghodi to visit this nearby lake, adding to the area’s appeal.

Tourism entrepreneur Dabal Shah highlighted that the long Dashain holidays and the favorable weather have contributed to the rise in visitors. According to him, the Ghodaghodi area has become more organized in recent years, with newly established walking trails and the availability of horse rides and boat trips, all of which have helped attract more tourists.

Located near the East-West Highway, Ghodaghodi Lake is a peaceful and secure habitat for rare birds. It is home to several endangered species of indigenous fish, butterflies, and other rare birds, which led to its designation as a Ramsar site in 2003.

In recognition of its importance as a bird sanctuary, the Ghodaghodi area was declared Nepal’s first “Bird Sanctuary” on 27th February 2022.

According to Daya Ram Chaudhary, Chairman of the Bird Conservation Network Kailali, this declaration has also contributed to the rise in tourist numbers.

Despite the increase in visitors, tourism entrepreneur Shah believes that more needs to be done to encourage longer stays. “If we create an environment where tourists can stay longer, there is great potential for tourism development in Ghodaghodi,” he added.

The lake, which covers 138 hectares and is shaped like a hand with fingers, is a chain of interconnected lakes, surrounded by jungle and rich in biodiversity.

It serves as a crucial biological corridor linking the Terai and the Chure hills, further emphasizing its ecological importance.