Nepali orange becomes center of attraction in Kolkata Orange Expo

By Prem Adhikari, Kolkata (India), Dec. 9: Nepali agricultural products as well as ethnic dances of Rai and Chaudhari communities are showcased at the Orange Expo in Kolakta, India that began today.

The Expo has been organized to promote rural tourism in Asian countries, and Nepali tourism entrepreneurs have also participated in the three-day event.

Nepali fruit products such as oranges, avocado, akabare chilly, and tea as well as Dhaka garment products have been put on display in the exhibition.

Raj Basu, coordinator of the Expo who is also coordinator of the Association for Conservation and Tourism, informed that there are over 30 pavilions in the expo from countries including Nepal, India, and Bhutan.

Tourism entrepreneurs as well as homestay runners of districts such as lam, Dhankuta, Panchtahr and Jahapa of Province 1 have reached Kolkata with their products to showcase in the expo being held at the Saltlake City Center in Kolkata.

Arjun Karki, a tourism entrepreneur from Jhapa, said that the expo will be utilized for publicity of the marketization of Nepali agricultural products and the development of rural tourism.

“This expo has increased the possibility of many tourists visiting Nepal, especially the tourists from Bhutan, Bangladesh, and India due to the showcase of our rural tourism and agricultural products,” he said.

Karki added that Nepali organge has been getting much popularity in the expo.

The organizer said that the Expo will heal the gap between the Gorkhali and the Bangali created due to the conflict between Gorkhaland supporters and Bangal supporters in Darjeeling in 1986, and minimize the impact of the conflict on tourism as seen in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Bangladesh.