Rasuwa, a Himalayan district of Nepal, has been experiencing a significant drop in temperature due to adverse weather conditions in recent days, leading to a sharp decline in tourist arrivals.
According to Shyam Kumar Sah, Senior Conservation Officer of Langtang National Park, snowfall in higher elevations and the freezing of water bodies along deep gorges, lakes, and damp trekking trails have intensified the cold, discouraging tourists from visiting the region.
Typically, tourist numbers decline during the winter season and gradually increase after mid-February. However, this year, weather disturbances since early January have made daily life more challenging, affecting tourism-related activities, stated Nisan Gajurel, President of the Rasuwa Hotel Entrepreneurs Association.
The extreme cold has directly impacted tourism, causing a near halt in activities across popular trekking routes, including the Tamang Heritage Trail, Gosaikunda, Langtang Valley, and the sacred sites of Gatlang Parvati Kunda and Thuman Nakthali. The absence of nature lovers and pilgrims has severely affected local tourism businesses, Gajurel added.
Despite the current downturn, Rasuwa has long been a favored destination for trekkers and pilgrims, offering diverse landscapes with hills, waterfalls, lakes, and rare wildlife. The region’s unique local culture, traditional music, and the rich biodiversity within Langtang National Park have always been major attractions.
Religious tourism has also been on the rise, with devotees visiting the sacred Gosaikunda Lake, believed to fulfill wishes upon taking a holy dip. Additionally, an increasing number of visitors are exploring the spectacular Bhange Jharna waterfall in Uttargaya, said Tukuprasad Subedi, Ward Chair of Uttargaya Rural Municipality Ward No. 2.
While the current extreme weather poses challenges, stakeholders remain hopeful that tourist arrivals will rebound as conditions improve in the coming months.
