Annapurna Rural Municipality in Myagdi has successfully generated NPR 12.76 million in internal revenue from its tourist sites during the current fiscal year 2081/82. This revenue has been collected through entry fees, hotel operations, and contracts awarded for tea stalls at various tourist attractions, including Poon Hill, Bhurung Tatopani, Paudwar, and Ratopani Kund.
According to local officials, contracts for entry fees and the operation of hotels and tea stalls were awarded through competitive bidding. Specifically, contracts worth NPR 5.62 million, NPR 2.87 million, and NPR 261,555 were signed at the beginning of the fiscal year for Bhurung Tatopani, Paudwar Tatopani, and Ratopani Kund, respectively.
Additionally, a contract worth NPR 4.01 million was signed in the last week of Ashwin for the operation of tea stalls and entry fees at Poon Hill in Annapurna-6. The chairman of the rural municipality, Bharat Kumar Pun, stated that an advance payment had been collected, allowing them to offer a 10% discount in accordance with the procedure.
Pun explained that despite multiple notifications for contracts at Poon Hill, no bids were received initially, leading to a delay. Eventually, a contract was finalized three months into the fiscal year for NPR 4.01 million.
The contracts have been awarded to various hotels, including Hotel Hot Spring in Bhurung Tatopani, Kaligandaki Rooftop Pvt. Ltd. for Paudwar Tatopani Kund, and Hotel Everest Pokharebagar for Ratopani Kund. The rural municipality collects an annual fee of NPR 30,000 from hotels operating in the Khopra area and NPR 36,000 for the use of public land.
Annapurna aims to generate a total of NPR 17.25 million in internal revenue this fiscal year, making tourism a key source of income. Chief Administrative Officer Ram Prasad Sharma noted that the municipality is on track to meet its revenue target within the first quarter.
The municipality also collects business taxes from hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops located in popular areas such as Mohredanda, Rupse Chhara, Ghorepani, Annapurna Base Camp, and Humkhol.
Furthermore, Ward 4 Narachyang in Annapurna hosts the world’s tenth highest peak, Annapurna I, and is surrounded by various hot springs. This year, NPR 10 million has been allocated for infrastructure development on the trails leading to Annapurna Base Camp.
Chairman Pun emphasized the importance of improving infrastructure, promoting tourism, and enhancing the living standards of local residents as strategies to boost internal revenue for the municipality.
Source: RSS
