Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve sees surge in tourist arrivals

Tourist arrivals at the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve in Nepal have seen a significant increase, reaching 37,520 visitors in the latest fiscal year. This represents a rise of approximately 13,000 visitors compared to the previous fiscal year, which saw 23,692 arrivals, and a substantial jump from the 15,573 visitors recorded in the preceding year.

The growth is driven primarily by domestic Nepali tourists, who accounted for 37,270 of the recent visitors. Ranger Sagar Subedi attributed the upward trend to improved tourism infrastructure, increased publicity, and the development of well-managed hotels and homestays. While foreign visitors traditionally visited the area for hunting, domestic travelers are increasingly visiting to explore sites such as Dhorpatan Valley, Nisheldhor, Dhorbarah Temple, Bukipatan, and Jaljala.

This surge in visitors has positively impacted revenue. The reserve collected Rs 4,768,405 in entry fees during the latest fiscal year, up from Rs 3,121,500 in the prior year. Additionally, revenue from the sale of stones, gravel, and sand reached Rs 10 million, an increase of Rs 4.6 million over the previous period.