Tourist sites in Jajarkot remain neglected

By Basudev Sharma,Jajarkot, Nov. 9: A dozen tourist destinations in Jajarkot have been left neglected, as the local governments and concerned bodies failed to allocate sufficient funds or make effective plans for their conservation. 

These religious and cultural sites, which have been popular tourist attractions, are now at risk of being forgotten as a result of the government’s lack of investment in their protection. 

The historical and cultural heritage sites in Jajarkot, which span across seven local levels, are in a state of disrepair, and without proper care, they are gradually falling into ruin. Despite the local government allocating funds for agriculture, health, education and infrastructure development, tourism-related projects have not received adequate attention or financial support.

The earthquake of 2015 severely damaged several centuries - old landmarks, including the 250-year-old Rato Seto Durbar (Red and White Palace), the Shiva Temple, Sangta Cave, Machhaina Maalika Temple, Jagatipur Durbar built by King Jagati Singh, Bhimeshwar Temple, Kalika Temple, and other significant religious sites in Khalanga, the district headquarters.  

Additionally, temples like the Masto Temple in Kushe Village, Malika Temple in Barekot, and others across the district remain in a state of neglect due to the local government’s failure to prioritise their preservation. These tourist destinations, which hold immense cultural, historical, and religious significance, have been deteriorating as the local government has failed to allocate sufficient funds or make effective plans for their conservation. 

District Coordination Committee member Khadga Bahadur Budhathoki emphasised the need for the local government to officially list these sites and engage relevant authorities for their preservation and promotion.

“Many of these tourist destinations hold great potential for attracting both domestic and international visitors, particularly because of their religious and historical significance,” he said.  “If properly preserved, these places could significantly boost local tourism,” said Budhathoki. 

He stressed that local authorities should take immediate steps to safeguard these sites to attract tourists and revitalise the local economy. In several instances, the failure to protect these sites has led to a decline in external tourist interest. 

For example, the Machhaina Malika Temple, which was previously a destination for devotees, has now seen a decrease in visitors, partly due to lack of preservation. 

Chandra Bahadur Thapa, Deputy Mayor of Chhedagad Municipality, said the municipality has allocated funds to protect and preserve tourist destinations within the municipality. 

However, he also mentioned that collaboration with the provincial government is necessary for larger-scale restoration efforts. “Tourism development brings employment opportunities and increases local income, which is why we are focusing on promoting and safeguarding these sites,” Thapa said.

Despite these efforts, the overall neglect of touristic sites by the seven local levels in Jajarkot has led to their gradual deterioration.  The lack of sufficient budget allocation for the preservation and development of tourism has left these cultural treasures in a perilous state.