Along the roadside of Budhhashanti Rural Municipality-4, Barne, on the way from Jhapa to Ilam, the vibrantly blooming Gulmohar trees have grown to be a major attraction for thousands of tourists each day. The area has become a scenic hotspot, drawing tourists’ attention and admiration due to the lush red blossoms that line the road.
Tourists often crowd the location, which is well-known for its breathtaking natural beauty, to take pictures and videos, especially for social media. The Municipality Chairperson, Manoj Prasai, stated, “We don’t have official data on the number of visitors, but the foot traffic has significantly increased in recent times.”
Gulmohar Trees
The local government built restrooms, resting areas, and drinking water facilities at the location last year in response to the increasing number of visitors. In order to meet the needs of tourists, small hotels and tea shops have also begun to open.
The Barne tea garden is situated in the region along the Mechi Highway, which runs from Jhapa to Taplejung. Every onlooker is enthralled by the picturesque scene created by the contrast of bright red Gulmohar flowers and evergreen tea fields.
Weekends and public holidays attract more tourists than usual, according to Chairperson Prasai. Last year, the municipality planted more than 200 Gulmohar saplings throughout the area in an attempt to protect and improve the attraction.
In order to make the route more accessible for visitors, the municipality laid concrete blocks along a 500-meter section of road adjacent to the Gulmohar trees. Because of its popularity on social media, tourists have lovingly dubbed it “TikTok Road.”
Tourists frequently pause to take in the beauty of the Gulmohar before continuing on to neighboring sites like Kanyam, Shree Antu, and Mai Pokhari in Ilam. The longest suspension bridge in Koshi Province is located in Ward No. 6 of Buddhashanti, just one kilometer to the north. Those who visit the bridge also make sure to take in the colorful roadside scenery as they go.
In addition to giving the area more aesthetic appeal, the blooming Gulmohars have increased demand for local transportation as more people come to see the breathtaking blooms for themselves.
