A Tourism Information Center has been established in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, the country’s only designated hunting reserve, to facilitate easier access to information for visitors and promote sustainable tourism development.
The facility has been constructed under the Sustainable Tourism Promotion Project implemented by BYC Baglung with an investment of approximately NPR 7.4 million. The initiative aims to provide comprehensive information about the reserve’s biodiversity, hunting activities, and conservation efforts, ensuring a more informed and responsible visitor experience.
Focus on Wildlife Awareness and Conservation Information
According to the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Office, the information center will display detailed materials on hunting activities, wildlife species, and conservation practices within the reserve. Visitors will be able to learn about animals such as blue sheep (Naur), Himalayan tahr (Jharal), red panda, and Danphe, among other protected species found in the region. The center will also include educational displays about animal parts such as horns and hides, helping raise awareness about regulated hunting practices and biodiversity conservation in the reserve.
Project Aimed at Strengthening Tourist Guidance
BYC Baglung Secretary Vikram Paudel stated that the center has been designed to provide accurate and structured information to tourists visiting Dhorpatan. He expressed confidence that the facility will significantly improve the visitor experience by offering reliable guidance about the reserve’s ecosystem and activities.
He further noted that both domestic and international tourists visit Dhorpatan through different modes of travel, with foreign hunters arriving via chartered helicopters for regulated hunting expeditions, while domestic tourists generally travel by road for sightseeing and exploration.
Development Under Sustainable Tourism Initiative
The construction of the tourism information center has been carried out under the Sustainable Tourism Promotion Project, with the main building already completed within the premises of the reserve headquarters. Remaining infrastructure development works are currently underway, and the center will be formally handed over to the reserve authorities upon completion.
Once operational under the management of the reserve office, the center will also integrate materials from the existing museum and information center located at the headquarters, ensuring a more consolidated and enriched knowledge hub for visitors.
Digital Integration and Visitor Data System
Authorities have planned to incorporate digital information boards that will display real-time updates on reserve activities. These will include data on wildlife populations, hunting statistics, and annual tourist arrivals.
According to Ranger Sagar Subedi of the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Office, the center will also feature models of key wildlife species such as blue sheep and Himalayan tahr, along with preserved hunting-related materials and interpretive exhibits. The integration of digital displays is expected to modernize visitor information services and enhance educational value for tourists.
Expansion of Tourist Infrastructure in Dhorpatan
The project also aligns with broader efforts to develop attractive tourism infrastructure in Dhorpatan Municipality-9. Officials confirmed that the first phase of construction was awarded to Shree Doleswor Mahadev Construction Pvt. Ltd., marking the beginning of structured tourism development in the area. Authorities believe that improved infrastructure will help position Dhorpatan as a more organized and informative destination for both adventure tourism and wildlife observation.
Growing Tourist Arrivals and Revenue Contribution
According to conservation officials, Dhorpatan recorded a total of 15,573 domestic and international visitors in the fiscal year 2080/81 (2023/24), generating approximately NPR 1.9 million in revenue. Conservation Officer Mandeep Pangeni highlighted that the increasing tourist flow reflects growing interest in the reserve’s unique ecosystem and regulated hunting activities. He emphasized that structured facilities like the new information center will further enhance tourism management and improve revenue generation in the coming years.
The establishment of the Tourism Information Center in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve marks a significant step toward strengthening sustainable tourism, wildlife awareness, and visitor services in Nepal’s only hunting reserve. Authorities expect the facility to play a vital role in improving tourist experience while supporting conservation efforts and promoting responsible tourism practices in the region.
