Picturesque Uttarpani slips into oblivion

BY KABIRAJ GHIMIRE.Hile, July 16: Located just two kilometres from the bustling hill town of Hile and a kilometre from the revered Bakrakunda Temple lies Uttarpani, once-thriving hill station that mirrors the picturesque villages of Europe. Known for its tidy, quaint houses built by the British government in the 1980s, serene ponds, surrounding tea gardens, and panoramic Himalayan views, Uttarpani used to be a major attraction for both local and foreign tourists.

Until two decades ago, visitors were captivated by the region's charm. Despite rough roads, tourists often made the journey from Hile to Uttarpani, some even for film shoots. Locals recall the golden days when tourists, film crews, and photographers crowded the area. Local Shyam Bahadur Yonjan said, “Back then, both domestic and international visitors came here. Several films were shot here. It was a beautiful place. But now, Uttarpani has lost almost everything.”

The charm of Uttarpani began to grow in the 1980s and peaked around 2003. But today, despite having paved roads, the village lies deserted. The once-beautiful British-built houses are now dilapidated, several ponds have dried up or been filled in, and bush overgrowth has blocked previously scenic viewpoints.

Despite its proximity to popular tourist spots like Hile and the Bakrakunda Temple, Uttarpani has slipped into obscurity. “While hundreds of tourists still visit Hile and Bakrakunda during peak season, Uttarpani remains quiet,” Yonjan added.

Local leaders believe that with proper infrastructure development, like maintaining the ponds and linking the area with Bakrakunda via a trail through the tea gardens, Uttarpani’s former glory could be restored. “We’ve raised the issue with local, provincial, and federal authorities multiple times, but no one seems interested,” says Jayendra Ghising, another local. “A DPR (Detailed Project Report) for pond restoration has been prepared, so we’re hopeful things might change.”

According to Nagendra Pandey, Ward Chairman of Dhankuta Municipality Ward No. 10, the area still holds immense potential. 

“Many of the ponds have dried or been overrun, the beautiful houses have lost their charm, and the hills are covered with wild shrubs. We’ve done what we can, but there’s still a lot to be done,” he said. He said that Uttarpani could once again become a national-level tourist destination if restored properly.

Ironically, while less-promising locations across Nepal have received substantial tourism infrastructure, Uttarpani, with its water resources and natural beauty, has been largely neglected by all levels of government.

To revive local tourism, residents have come together to launch a community homestay programme. Devika Tamang, Chairman of the Uttarpani Dharmashala Community Homestay, said, “Uttarpani still has natural beauty, though we’ve lost much. We can’t do everything, but through homestays, we’re promoting tourism and managing what we can at the local level.”