Crowd of domestic tourists flock to Kauledanda

By Iman Singh Rana,Palpa, Oct. 17: Kauledanda in Nisdi Rural Municipality-3, Jhiruwas, Palpa, which was covered with thick bushes about 15 years ago, has now become a popular destination for domestic tourists. 

After the open land in the area was registered as a community forest, locals began planting broom grass (amriso), giving Kauledanda a completely new look.

Roman Thapa, a ticket assistant at the Kauledanda Community Forest, said the area has seen a continuous flow of visitors since the start of the Dashain festival. 

“Between 300 and 1,000 people visit daily for sightseeing and picnics,” he said, adding that on clear days, it is difficult to find a place to sit because of the crowd.

With improved road infrastructure, access to the area has become easier, attracting visitors not only from Palpa but also from nearby districts such as Nawalpur, Nawalparasi, Syangja, Tanahun, Rupandehi and other parts of the country. 

Tourists enjoy the lush broom grass forest and the breathtaking views stretching from the Himalayas to the Tarai plains.

Janak Koirala of Rampur said he was delighted to witness such stunning views and the greenery of the amriso forest. 

According to Daman Thapa, chairperson of the Kauledanda Community Forest, the site has grown more significant since 2010 due to the hard work of the locals. 

“In the beginning, locals earned from selling broom grass, but now they are benefiting economically through tourism by selling local products and operating homestays,” he said.

The forest, spread over more than 246 hectares, has over 227 households as members. Ward Chairperson Navindra Thapa Soti of Nisdi-3 said the rural municipality, in coordination with the provincial and federal governments, has developed roads, drinking water facilities, toilets, waiting sheds, picnic spots, a children’s park and a museum to promote tourism.

He added that the municipality has also allocated a budget this year to manage drinking water and build walking trails in the area.