In 1968, a young Lal Bahadur Shrestha moved with his parents from Harjang VDC, Sindhupalchok, to Thori, Chitwan. This relocation was part of King Mahendra’s initiative to safeguard Thori’s forests from Indian encroachment. Shrestha’s family, along with many others from various hill districts, established new settlements like Nirmalbasti and Suwarnapur.
Early Challenges
The early years in Thori were difficult. Shrestha recalls the hardships his family faced, including the challenging journey to the district headquarters and the threat of banditry. In 1978, for administrative convenience, Thori was incorporated into Parsa district.
Transformations in Thori
Over the decades, Thori has seen significant changes. What was once a forest protection settlement now boasts a paved two-lane road to Birgunj and a connecting dirt road to Chitwan. Thori’s scenic valley, surrounded by hills, is emerging as a potential tourist destination.
Tourism Potential
Prakash Khanal, coordinator of the Prosperous Thori Campaign, highlights the area’s potential for wildlife and eco-tourism due to its proximity to Chitwan National Park, Parsa National Park, and India’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve. Despite this, the lack of infrastructure has hindered the growth of tourist activities.
Boosting Thori’s Fame
During the 2015 blockade, Thori became an informal entry point for petroleum products. Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s statement claiming Lord Ram was born in Thori further boosted its fame. The area is now home to attractions like Raidhara picnic site, Stone Park, Raniwan, Sinehi Hill, and numerous temples.
Growing Tourism Infrastructure
Thori’s tourism infrastructure is gradually improving. The view tower in Thori-2 offers stunning sunrise and sunset views, attracting more visitors. The Thori Jungle Resort, opened two years ago, caters to both domestic and international tourists. Resort manager Sudip Thapa reports a significant increase in tourist arrivals, emphasizing the need for further infrastructure development to realize Thori’s full tourism potential.
Government Support and Challenges
Despite being declared a tourist area by the Madhes Province government, the promised budget for development has not been allocated. Shrestha criticizes the provincial government for not following through on its commitments. Thori Rural Municipality has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for tourism development and has begun work on a park, swimming pool, and play area with its budget.
Potential for Indian Tourism
Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Anil Kumar Agrawal sees potential in attracting tourists from nearby Indian states with large populations. He advocates for currency exchange facilities at customs points to facilitate Indian tourists.
Improving Accessibility
Improvements in Thori’s customs office services now allow Indian tourists to obtain temporary permits for their vehicles more easily, increasing tourist influx. Bharatpur Metropolitan City is working to attract more tourists through the Thori-Bharatpur route, despite challenges with road conditions through Chitwan National Park.
Thori has transformed from a forest protection settlement into a potential tourist hub. Under the leadership of Lal Bahadur Shrestha, efforts are underway to develop Thori into a thriving tourist destination, leveraging its natural beauty and strategic location. However, challenges remain, including the need for infrastructure development and government support.
