Dhumaiya Watershed Area attracting domestic visitors seeking cooler climate

BY SIRAJ KHAN

Nepalgunj, Apr. 8: The Dhumaiya Watershed Area, situated in Taduwa within Binauna of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality–5, Banke, has recently emerged as a popular destination for those seeking to escape the summer heat. According to the rural municipality, a large number of domestic tourists have started visiting the area from Nepalgunj to cool off during the summer. The area is protected by the Siddheshwari Community Forest Users Group.

Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality Chairman Tapta Bahadur Paudel said that during the summer, domestic tourists from cities like Nepalgunj and Kohalpur come to the watershed area to bathe in the waterfalls, take photographs, shoot videos and enjoy picnics. He said that as the temperature continues to rise each day, more and more people are coming to bathe in the naturally flowing Dhumaiya waterfall and swim in the pond.

Chandra Prakash Rijal, who has been issuing entry tickets to the watershed area, said that around 300 to 400 tourists visit the site daily during the summer season. He added that recently, people have started coming from distant places by jeep, car and motorcycle to spend the day enjoying the waterfall.

The Siddheshwari Community Forest Users Group stated that with basic infrastructure development including drinking water taps, a pond suitable for swimming and basic picnic facilities, the number of domestic tourists has increased.

Sabin Pun, chairman of the Siddheshwari Community Forest Users Group, said the site is becoming a top destination for domestic tourists due to its biodiversity, natural beauty and accessibility. He stated, “Although we haven’t been able to develop more infrastructure due to budget constraints, the number of visiting tourists has been steadily increasing. On Saturdays and public holidays, the area sees a particularly large crowd.”

Pun informed that watershed area is located about 25 kilometres east of Nepalgunj, the district headquarters of Banke, across the Rapti River. The paved Hulaki Highway extends up to Chilharhiya Chowk in Binauna. After crossing about three kilometres of unpaved road from Chilharhiya Chowk, one can easily reach the area.

Meanwhile, Chairman Paudel said the municipality has been allocating budget each year for the development of infrastructure and promotion of tourism in the Dhumaiya Watershed Area.