Federal policy curbs Koshi tourism initiatives

By Shashidhar Parajuli,Biratnagar, May 11: The “Koshi Province Tourism Year 2082,” announced by the Koshi provincial government with the aim of attracting tourists from neighbouring countries, has been adversely affected by policy-related complications imposed by the federal government. 

Promotional programmes targeting India’s Bihar and West Bengal states, as well as Bangladesh, have failed to move forward due to cumbersome federal approval requirements for foreign visits.

The provincial government had prepared the “Koshi Province Tourism Year Programme Operation and Implementation Guidelines 2082” and planned activities such as road shows, cross-border tourism festivals and bike rallies in border cities including Siliguri, Purnia and various locations in Bihar. 

However, since provincial ministers and senior officials were required to travel abroad for these programmes, and federal approval was mandatory, the plans have remained stalled.

Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Forest and Environment Dr. Indra Prasad Sapkota said that conflicts with federal laws have prevented tourism promotion efforts from progressing as intended.

“We had drawn up major plans to promote tourism in Siliguri, Bihar, and Purnia,” said Secretary Sapkota. 

“But federal law has effectively created a situation where provincial ministers and officials cannot travel abroad freely. While provincial legislation allows the Chief Secretary to grant permission, federal law requires mandatory approval from the central government. Because these provisions do not align, we have been unable to establish an effective presence in neighbouring markets,” he added. 

According to the ministry, Koshi Province has spent nearly Rs. 10 billion in the forestry and tourism sectors over the past eight years. 

However, much of the investment has gone into unproductive areas such as building parks within community forests and constructing temples in various localities. 

Despite the substantial expenditure, it has not created a strong foundation for attracting foreign tourists and generating revenue.

Tourism Minister Bhim Parajuli said future investments would no longer remain confined to temples and small parks alone. 

He informed that the upcoming budget would avoid projects costing less than Rs. 2.5 million and instead focus only on strategically important destinations under a new five-point principle.

“A tourism activity cannot truly be considered tourism unless visitors are spending money from their own pockets,” Minister Parajuli said. “Our efforts will now focus on linking tourism with production and employment.”

Under the guidelines, Rs. 2 million had been allocated for tourism promotion in Bengal and Bihar, Rs. 2 million for the Nepal Travel Mart, and Rs. 5 million for participation in various fairs and festivals. 

However, with federal policy becoming an obstacle to promotional activities in neighbouring countries, it appears difficult for the Tourism Year campaign to achieve its expected outcomes.

The provincial government is now preparing to advance projects such as the palace of King Birat, Barju Lake, the ‘Live Zoo’ at Ramdhuni, and Barahachhetra as flagship tourism initiatives. 

However, Minister Parajuli stressed that legal hurdles imposed by the federal government on external promotion efforts would need to be resolved, and that special initiatives would be pursued with the central government for that purpose.