BaglekhRegion : Becoming The Choice Of Domestic Tourists
Baglekh area at the entrance of Khaptad, a major tourist destination in the far-western region, has become the choice of domestic tourists. The Baglekh area in Gaunpalika-2, the eastern outpost of the district, has been crowded with domestic tourists lately. More than 100 domestic tourists visit here daily.
People from far and wide have started coming to enjoy the area, which has been popularized through social media Tiktak and Facebook. Compared to other days, a large number of domestic tourists come here on Friday and Saturday. Most of them said that they came to this area to have fun after finding out through Tiktak and Facebook. Sunil BK, a local, said that the business is flourishing here as it has become the choice of domestic tourists.
He said, “In the past, the vegetables and fruits grown in our village used to rot in the fields due to lack of people to buy them. It is said that tourists have started entering the area as the road to Baglekh has been tarred with the investment of the Far-Western Provincial Government. After the influx of domestic tourists, hotels and shops have also started opening in Baglekh
Kalakumari Saund, who runs a hotel inBaglekh, said that she is keen to sell local food and other items to the traders here daily. He said, “Many people come to order the local food of the village. We have vanity to cook and sell local dishes.”
Horses are also available in the area for tourists. It is said that the number of domestic tourists is increasing due to horse safari. Horse operator Bikram Kami said that the locals used to arrange three horses for the tourists to come here.
He said, “In the past, we used to carry luggage on horseback. Now, we have also arranged horse riding as per the demand of tourists. The business is running well.”
According to the horse operator, a tourist used to charge Rs. 100 for riding a horse at one time and Rs. 50 for taking a photo only on horseback. Another horse operator Ramesh BK said that plans have been made to add more horses as the number of domestic tourists has started increasing.
He said, “Since horses are the first choice of most of the people who come to visit Baglekh, we have planned to bring more horses as the three horses we have are not enough. More horses will be provided in the near future.”
Manavi Bam of Bogtan Fudsil village said that domestic tourists prefer to visit Baglekh as it is a place to enjoy and picnic all day long. He said, “This place is very beautiful because it is on a high hill. We also formed a group. We were very happy. The horse service provided here made us even happier.”
This area is also called ‘Mini Khaptad’. Bhim Bahadur Bista of Purbichowki Gaonpalika-2, Kudasain said that the Baglek area is called ‘Mini Khaptad’ due to its similar fields.
He said, “The area is the choice of domestic tourists as it offers a panoramic view of the surroundings from Baglekh.”
Narad Nepali, a local and a media person, said that the high hills of Baglekh can be seen in various places of Tanakpur and Surkhet districts of India.
He said, “Baglekh is a very beautiful place geographically, from where one can easily see the view of various cities in India from Surkhet in Karnali, so people who come once come again.”
Prem Bahadur Rawal, chief of Shaileshwari Transport Authority, said that most of the domestic tourists go there daily as it is a 20-minute drive from the district headquarters Silgadhi. He said, “The road up to Baglekh has been tarred. Due to its proximity to the district headquarters, domestic tourists go there to have fun.”
Infrastructure development plan
As the number of domestic tourists has started increasing, the Eastern Chowki Municipality has planned to develop infrastructure in the area. The village municipality has stated that the infrastructure development plan has been given priority after the increase in the number of tourists.
The village municipality has stated that it has planned to develop the area by developing picnic spots, conserving forests and wildlife, and constructing necessary physical infrastructure.
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