Tourists visiting Phoksundo Lake rises

By Bishnu Prasad Devkota,Dolpa, Nov. 3: The number of tourists visiting Phoksundo Lake in Dolpa has increased, thanks to the availability of road transport. 

According to Yagya Raj Rokaya, the ranger at the Shey Phoksundo National Park Office in Suligaad, from August to November, 2,000 foreign and domestic tourists visited the lake.

He mentioned that the availability of road transport has led to a significant increase in the number of tourists 

visiting Dolpa. 

The majority of visitors coming to see Phoksundo Lake are 

domestic tourists.

Rokaya reported that from August 15 to November 1 this year, a total of 1,924 visitors came to see Phoksundo Lake, comprising 1,819 domestic tourists, three from SAARC countries, and 

102 foreigners. 

Furthermore, from October 15 to November 1, 1,257 tourists visited Phoksundo Lake.

The number of domestic tourists has seen a significant increase since it has become possible to travel to Bhimpul, located near the park office at Suligaad, which serves as the gateway to Phoksundo Lake.

Due to the rapid increase in the number of tourists arriving at Phoksundo Lake by motorbike, the Nepali Army security checkpoint near Bhimpul in Suligaad lacked parking facilities 

for motorcycles. 

“When there is no parking facility, motorcycles are being parked on both sides of the road, leading to a chaotic situation,” Rokaya said.

Delis RC from Jajarkot Khalanga expressed that his long-standing dream of visiting Phoksundo Lake has finally become a reality. 

He mentioned that he had heard numerous tales of Phoksundo Lake's glory, and seeing it in person surpassed his expectations based on what he had heard and seen on television.

He conveyed that it is impossible to put into words the sublime beauty and otherworldly nature of Phoksundo Lake when gazing it. 

Anish Singh Thakuri, who had returned to Kathmandu after reaching Phoksundo Lake, expressed that he felt whole and complete upon reaching 

the lake.

However, Thakuri suggests that if the relevant authorities can draw the attention of the relevant agencies to improve the management of jeeps operating from Tallubagar to Dunai in Jajarkot, it will enhance the convenience for tourists.

Likewise, tourists are compelled to pay higher prices because of the lack of uniformity in pricing at the hotels operating from Suligaad to 

Phoksundo Lake.

To establish an official and permanent route for tourists to Phoksundo, it should be considered restricting access to local residents at the entrance near Bhimpul 

in Suligaad. 

This could involve routing tourists through the Dunai headquarters and the Shey Phoksundo National Park Office in Suligaad, which may allow for standardisation of hotel management and charges. 

Such measures can potentially extend the duration of tourists' stay and provide local communities with increased earning opportunities.