Tourists flock Sunkoshi, Bhote Koshi for rafting

BY CHITRA MIJAR,Sindhupalchowk, Apr. 21: The number of domestic and international tourists seeking to escape the scorching heat by rafting on the Sunkoshi River at Sukute and the Bhote Koshi River above Bahrabise is steadily rising with the arrival of summer.

According to Mahendra Singh Thapa, president of the Sindhu Sukute Tourism Entrepreneurs' Association, a significant rise has been seen in the number of tourists coming for rafting in the rivers along the border area of Sukute in Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality and Bahrabise Municipality. He said the number of tourists coming for rafting has doubled compared to last year.

The number of tourists coming for rafting, biking, mountain biking and bungee jumping is on the rise. Among the 6,000 rivers worldwide suitable for rafting, the Sunkoshi and Bhote Koshi rivers are among the top 10 adventurous rivers. 

Thousands of tourists come to raft in these rivers every year. According to Ishwar Lal Shrestha, the operator of Sindhu Beach Resort, the resorts and hotels located along the river corridor are now overwhelmed with the influx of both domestic and international tourists. 

As resorts and hotels in the Sukute area are now filled with tourists, visitors are staying in hotels in nearby towns such as Khadichaur, Bahrabise, Balefi and Dolalghat, and travelling to Sukute early in the morning for rafting. Compared to other rivers, the water in the Sunkoshi and Bhote Koshi rivers is cleaner, and the flow is more suitable for rafting, making them popular destinations for tourists every year. With the growing number of tourists, hotels and resorts are struggling to accommodate the guests.

Currently, domestic tourists are flocking to enjoy rafting. On public holidays, Fridays and Saturdays, there are long queues of people rafting in the Sunkoshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. Since Sukute is only 70 kilometres from the capital, tourists can reach these destinations within two to three hours and return to the capital the same evening after enjoying the rafting.

The arrival of both domestic and international tourists for rafting in the Sunkoshi and Bhote Koshi rivers has given a boost to local businesses in the surrounding markets. The demand for agricultural products from nearby villages has also increased. With the growing tourist crowd, the demand for labourers and staff at the resorts and hotels has gone up, creating employment opportunities for locals.

However, uncontrolled extraction of river-based materials from the Sunkoshi and Bhote Koshi rivers has started affecting rafting activities. The association has repeatedly informed government officials and representatives, both verbally and in writing, but the issue remains unresolved.