मुन्दुम पदमार्ग
Bhojpur, November 4 (Kartik 18) :
Local public representatives have stated that strict legal provisions regarding forest areas are posing major obstacles to constructing necessary homestays and other infrastructure required to make tourists’ stays comfortable along the Mundum trekking trail.
They expressed these views on Tuesday in Bhojpur during a “Homestay Registration Camp Coordination Discussion” program organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Forest, and Environment of Koshi Province.
With representatives from all seven local levels of the district and various stakeholders in attendance, it was highlighted that because the majority of the trail falls within forest areas, difficulties are arising in building required facilities for tourist accommodation and dining.
Key Statements from Officials and Stakeholders:
- Surendrakumar Udas (Mayor, Shadananda Municipality): Pointing out that the rule requiring a land ownership certificate for homestay registration creates difficulties in running homestays inside forest areas, he drew the government’s attention to amending the forest acts and regulations to allow the construction of necessary temporary structures in meadows and pastures without harming the environment.
- Saroj Basnet (Chairperson, Temkemayung Rural Municipality): He emphasized that the state should provide policy facilitation for constructing “homestays” and “gothstays (cowshed stays)” without causing any disruption to the forest area, thereby preserving natural beauty and the environment.
- Daulath Kulung (Chairperson, Salpasilicho Rural Municipality): Stating that strict state policies cause hardships for tourists due to the inability to build necessary shelters along the trail, he called for reforms in existing policies to harness tourism potential.
- Ramadevi Rai (Vice-Chairperson, Temkemayung Rural Municipality): She stated that the authority to register homestays should be granted to local levels, and that amendments to forest laws along with procedural facilitation are essential to build structures targeting tourists according to local needs.
- Khudrus Mia (Head, Division Forest Office): He clarified that while community forests can operate community homestays by formulating separate guidelines, no individual structures can be built on forest land.
- Krishna Nyaupane (Tourism Branch Chief, Koshi Province Ministry): He informed that suggestions received from public representatives and stakeholders during the discussion will be presented to the ministry, and necessary initiatives will be taken for facilitation after discussions.
Participants emphasized the need to facilitate the construction of homestays and necessary infrastructure to prolong tourists’ stays on the Mundum trail and boost local economic activities. On the occasion, it was informed that only three homestays have been registered in Bhojpur to date.
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