Popularity of Tharu cuisine boosts Dang's local economy

BY SANTOSH DAHIT,Dang, Feb. 8: In recent years, resorts and hotels specialising in Tharu cuisine have been flourishing in Dang. Once confined largely to village households, traditional Tharu dishes are now gaining popularity in urban hotels and resorts. As these indigenous cuisines have begun to be presented commercially, such resorts and hotels have expanded into profitable business ventures.

At Kabila Resort, located in Ghorahi Sub-metropolitan City-16, Syani Ambapur, the number of customers visiting to savour Tharu cuisine has been increasing day by day, informed Managing Director Bikash Chaudhary. 

He said the resort served a wide range of traditional Tharu and indigenous dishes, including dhikri, bread made from anadi rice, local free-range chicken, duck choila, pork dishes, various fish items, snails, crabs, and other native delicacies.“Tharu cuisine has become the main brand of our resort,” he said. “This is the key reason the resort has been operating successfully.” 

The resort has also expanded its services, as it offers tasty food at prices lower than the market rate, making it a popular choice among customers. According to Chaudhary, the resort initially provided only food services, but accommodation facilities have now been added. In addition, a seminar hall has been constructed to host meetings, workshops, gatherings, and conferences. Located about four kilometres from Ghorahi, Kabila Resort has built separate cottages designed to reflect a rural atmosphere, catering to guests for both morning and evening meals. Along with Tharu cuisine, the resort also offers contemporary Tharu cultural performances.

“By commercialising traditional cuisine, we have contributed to the preservation and promotion of art and culture,” he said, adding that the initiative has also created employment opportunities for local people. According to him, around 25 individuals are employed directly and indirectly at the resort. During festivals and special occasions, artist groups receive Rs. 5,000 for a one-hour dance performance, with additional remuneration provided depending on the nature of other performances. Chaudhary informed that the resort, which began with an initial investment of Rs. 3 million, has seen total investment grow to more than Rs. 70 million over the past seven years.

“Twenty young people came together to raise Rs. 3 million at the beginning. With continuous investment and income, it has now reached Rs. 70 million,” he said. Kabila Hospitality Group Chairman Kulbir Chaudhary stated that the resort was established with the aim of involving the Tharu community in entrepreneurship.

“Our main objective is to integrate the Tharu community into business. At present, our focus is more on community participation and empowerment than on profit and loss,” he said. According to him, the operation of the resort has had a positive impact on the economic empowerment of the Tharu community, job creation at the local level, and the promotion of indigenous products.