Banke National Park aims to bring in 2,000 tourists

By Siraj Khan, Nepalgunj, April 9: The Banke National Park, which was established to protect tigers, is all set to bring in around 2,000 tourists in the national park. It is the youngest national park in the country which was established to protect the Royal Bengal tigers in 2010. 

According to Manoj Kumar Shah, the Chief Conservation Officer of Banke National Park, the national park is all set and ready to invite as many national and international tourists as possible. 

Saying that not more than 500 tourists visited the national park in previous years, he said that this year's target is to bring in 2,000 tourists. 

Mentioning that all the jungle paths have been opened for tourists, he said that tickets are open at any time from Banke National Park Headquarters’ Obhari, and the sector office located at Kohalpur bearing in mind the comfort of tourists. 

He said that the national park was focused on building infrastructures for 13 years and now it is heading towards promoting tourism. 

He said, “There is no track record of tourists visiting the national park, this year we are targeting to bring in more than 2,000 tourists. We are working by putting tourists in the centre.” 

He said that two additional ponds will be established in the current fiscal year to avoid the scarcity of drinking water for animals of the national park during the summer season. 

He said, “We expect to see tigers enjoying the water. We are moving forward with a planning of developing reservoir and wetlands.” 

“Now, one can enjoy sightseeing the rare Royal Bengal tigers including other prey species in the national park. All the jungle paths to the national park are in working condition. We are putting all our efforts so that everything is at par when tourists visit” He said. 

The number of tigers has increased from 4 to 25 in number in the National Park.