The motorboat program at Bulbule Lake in Birendranagar has been officially launched by the Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Yam Lal Kandel. The motorboat has been operating on a trial basis since Baishakh 12th.
During the inauguration, Chief Minister Kandel highlighted the importance of tourism for the development of Karnali Province and pledged the state government’s full support for the motorboat operations. He emphasized, “Professionalization of the agricultural sector, domestic industry, and tourism are essential for the development of the province. Tourism activities have increased since the Botebora company began operating a motorboat here. The state government will provide all possible support in the coming days.” He also called for increased private-sector investment in the province.
Kandel stressed the need to change the perception of Karnali Province as a region of suffering and hardship. He stated that developing the tourism sector is the best way to achieve this transformation, as it would boost economic activity in the region, create employment, and reduce the outflow of youth seeking opportunities abroad.
Birendranagar Municipality Chief Mohan Maya Bhandari (Dhakal) noted that the economic activity in the area has increased since the motorboats started operating at Bulbule Lake. She mentioned that the municipality charges 25 rupees per person for entry into the Bulbule Lake area, and annual revenue has now reached 50 lakhs rupees due to the motorboat operations.
Bishnu Dhakal, the owner of Bote Bora company, which operates the motorboats, expressed his satisfaction with the substantial number of tourists over the past month. He mentioned, “We have received strong support from both the provincial and local governments. Domestic tourists from Jumla, Humla, Mugu, and other districts have visited to ride the motorboats.” According to Dhakal, over 30,000 people have experienced the motorboats since Baishakh 12th.
Dhakal also pointed out some challenges, including the low water level in the lake and the need to close the park before evening. “We are working at the local level to provide adequate water facilities in the lake and to extend park hours. We hope these initiatives will be completed soon,” he said.
Bote Bora Company has invested 1 Crore 50 lakh rupees in launching the motorboat service and cleaning Bulbule Lake with its investment. The company has employed 820 people for cleaning, with an expenditure of 25 lakh rupees so far. The water level has slightly decreased after cleaning the garbage, but efforts are ongoing to maintain sufficient water in the lake.
Currently, the company operates three motorboats—two 10-seaters and one 8-seater—charging 200 rupees per person, or 250 rupees if children are accompanied.
The inauguration program was attended by several notable figures, including State Assembly Speaker Nanda Gurung, Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Minister Durga Bahadur Rawat, Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative Minister Binod Kumar Shah, Birendranagar Municipality Chief Mohan Maya Bhandari (Dhakal), Deputy Chief Nilkantha Khanal, and heads of all three security agencies, among others.
