A new strategy to attract tourists Motorboat operation by damming the Babai River

By Gokarna Paudel,Tulsipur, Aprl.1 :A suspension bridge was initially built across the Babai for crossing the river, but now, to attract tourists, the river's water has been dammed to offer motorboat rides. 

Umesh Dangi, a young entrepreneur from Ward No. 16 of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City, has also cultivated watermelons on two bighas of land in the same riverside area. To entertain visitors who come to the suspension bridge for TikTok videos and photography, he has introduced motorboat rides.

The Babai River has been dammed beneath the suspension bridge, creating a reservoir spanning approximately ten bighas. 

Umesh stated that although irrigation facilities from the Babai River were not fully utilized in the southern part of Dang, he aimed to turn the river into a tourist attraction and generate employment opportunities for local youth through motorboat operation. 

The ticket price for a boat ride has been set at Rs. 200 per person. 

According to Dangi, five percent of the ticket revenue will be allocated to the Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City as an entertainment tax.

Man Bahadur Rawat, Ward Chairman of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City Ward No. 11 and Coordinator of the Social Development Committee, mentioned that the local government has formulated policies to support such initiatives, ensuring proper implementation. He also assured that young entrepreneurs bringing innovative ideas to attract tourists would receive support from the local authorities.

Local youth Basanta Nepali emphasized the importance of supporting such innovative projects, stating that the introduction of motorboats would not only boost tourism but also stimulate economic activities in the region.