By Hem Nath Khatiwada
Rasuwa, Mar. 20:Tender process for hotels, lodges, and tea shops in Langtang National Park and intermediate areas has finally gained momentum after a long hiatus.
Although the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation had prepared to pass tender in the fiscal year of 2074/75, it could not be processed for various reasons. The devastating 2015 earthquake stalled the process, but just when things were about to pick up pace, the COVID-19 outbreak dealt another severe blow further pushing back the tendering.
The process will begin from next year, as per Sushma Rana, Chief Conservation Officer of Langtang National Park.
There were 55 hotels in operation before the earthquake but the park cancelled the agreements with four hotels after the calamity. Now a process to renovate the hotels inside the park has started.
There are 13 hotels along the Gosainkunda route, 22 at Langtang route and 16 at Thadepati route. As there are 51 hotel lodges and tea shops operating there and the intermediate zone, they have to pay the revenue to the park management annually according to the grade. Hotels classified under Grade A category have to pay Rs. 120,000, Grade B Rs. 90,000, Grade C Rs. 60,000 and Grade D should provide Rs 20,000 as revenue annually to the LNP.
The four-category hotels were required to pay Rs. 486.59 million in revenue to the park in the fiscal year 2076/77. However, the hotels then paid only Rs. 346.59 million to it. Business operators have not been paying the stipulated amount for the last few years, given the financial blow they have had to endure as a result of the earthquake and the global pandemic.
At present, domestic tourist arrivals have been on the rise along this route.
According to Sabba Lama, the manager of the Red Panda Hotel in Chandanbari, around 70 to 150 domestic tourists visit Gosainkunda daily. Local tourism entrepreneurs are ecstatic over the rising number of international tourists in Gallang, Thuman, Syafrubeshi, Timure and Bridim of Tamang Sampada Marg of the district.
According to local Galbo Tamang, the number of domestic tourists has also increased in the Langtang area, the third tourist destination of Nepal. There is a trekking route stretching from Dhunche, Gosainkund to Helambu of Sindhupalchowk, Syabrubesi to Langtang and Tamang Sampada Marg from Syabrubesi to Goljung, Gatlang, Chilime, Thuman, Timure, Bridim to Syabrubesi.
The national park offers a range of travel and exploration opportunities for incoming visitors. Firstly, it lends magnificent panoramic views of Ganesh and Langtang mountain range. Tourists can also marvel at the rich biodiversity of Gosainkunda, which is enlisted in Nepal’s Wetland sites while also observing the immaculate Tamang art and culture along the Tamang Sampada Marg.
Revenue Collection
The National Park collected revenue of Rs. 388,000 for eco-tourism in March. According to park ranger Bibek Shrestha, 1,825 domestic and 86 foreigners from SAARC countries visited the park. It has collected Rs. 388,000 from eco-tourism and Rs. 1,021,562 from forest and other revenues.