Rani Lake emerging as destination for tourists

By Gajendra Gurung,Nepalgunj, Apr. 6: The fish reared in Rani Lake in Nepalgunj have started to become an attraction for domestic tourists.

Located east of Tribhuvan Chowk in Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City-8, this area has emerged as a focal point for domestic tourists.

Domestic tourists visiting the lake often engage in feeding the fish reared in the pond and delight in watching them. Deepak Khanal, an employee of the Lake Management Company, said that the majority of domestic tourists enjoy observing and feeding the fish during their visit to the lake.

Khanal said that the lake attracts more domestic tourists on public holidays compared to weekdays. Boating facilities have been arranged here, he added.

Visitors often spend their time boating, feeding the fish, and enjoying interaction with them. There is an entry fee of Rs. 10 to enter the lake area, which is around eight feet deep, while an additional charge of Rs. 25 is imposed for boating.

According to Khanal, around 6,000 fish fry were put into the lake this year, which spans an area of around four katthas. Various species of fish, including kaman, naini, bhakyur, and grass carp, have been stocked in the pond. Not only do these fishes attract tourists, they also contribute to generating significant income.

“We begin selling them once they reach one and a half kilograms. The fish market is thriving, customers flock here as soon as they reach the size suitable for sale,” he added.

They introduce fry into the pond twice a year. The fish are fed twice daily, in the morning and evening, with a diet consisting of cut pieces of cabbage, and around 10 kilograms of feed per day.

Tourists from other districts, as well as from India, visit Nepalgunj for special business and tour purposes. During their stay, they visit the lake to take pictures and enjoy themselves. Tourists often purchase fish to take home with them.

The number of visitors to the lake is typically high in the evening. Families, children, and couples often choose the area as a destination to spend time together. Surrounding the lake, there are gardens, playgrounds, swings, slides, and a children's playhouse for entertainment.

Nirmal Thapa, the representative of the contractor company Shubh & N.S. based in Kathmandu, said that they signed a 10-year contract with the Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City on September 21, 2021, and obtained approval to operate the lake.

According to Thapa, the company has signed a contract to pay Rs. 550,000 annually to the sub-metropolis for the operation of the lake.

He further said that under the terms of the 10-year contract, the company has the permission to increase the contract amount by 10 per cent every two years.