Tourist attractions of Rukum East lie in obscurity

By Our Correspondent,Rukum East, Apr. 8: With so many natural things of beauty, the Himalayan district of Rukum East has enormous tourism potential. But they all lie in obscurity. 

According to Sunil Kumar Roka Magar, proprietor of the Hotel Lake City in Sisne Rural Municipality-6 Rukumkot, the tourist attractions in this area are hidden from view for lack of infrastructure and adequate publicity.  Roka called for an investment in the tourism industry.

He said, “The three-tier government has invested in the tourism sector, but tourism could not flourish due to the lack of consistent investment in accordance with objectives of the plan.” 

The main reason for the poor development of tourism sector is the indifference on the part of the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Department towards the development of tourism industry in the district, he added.

The district is home to more than half a dozen mountains ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 metres in height. 

According to Tilak Bahadur Roka Magar of Bhume Rural Municipality-3 Kangsi, valuable medicinal herbs along with Yarsagumba are found in the district. Many pastures, glacial lakes, lakes and hot springs are other attractions. According to Roka Magar, the key sites of clashes between the Maoists and security forces during the conflict period, guerilla trails, lifestyles based on local art cultures, traditional costumes, dialects, and organic cuisine available in various places in the district could also become a source of income for the inhabitants if the government invested in tourism.

 “Unfortunately, the government has not paid attention to the promotion of these sectors,” he added. District Coordination Committee Chief Megh Bahadur Shrestha mentioned that Rukum East is rich in tourist destinations, so an integrated plan is required for the development of the area. 

According to Shrestha, if the district-based local government prepares a plan for tourism development, the provincial and federal governments should give it special consideration while making investments. He said that District Coordination Committee has been urging the provincial and federal governments to make plans and invest for the development of tourism sector in the district through the local government.