Hattidaha Wetland, located at the foothills of the Chure range in Lahan Municipality-15, Siraha, has emerged as a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. Following the construction of new infrastructure targeting festivals, the area has become even more attractive.
Around three years ago, the wetland, nestled within the ‘Koiralo Khola Model Community Forest,’ was conserved and developed for eco-tourism. Since then, it has captivated the hearts of visiting tourists. The wetland has become a serene retreat for residents of Siraha, Saptari, Dhanusha, and surrounding areas in the Terai region.
“Recently, the area has seen a daily influx of domestic and international tourists,” said local resident Mugalal Chaudhary. “As the number of tourists increases, the locals are thrilled, and we are overjoyed.” He emphasized the need for further infrastructure development and organized promotion to attract even more visitors.
Rudra Narayan Chaudhary, Chairperson of the Hattidaha Wetland and Tourist Area Conservation and Management Committee, noted that while tourist numbers are lower during the monsoon months of Asar and Bhadra, the start of festival season has led to a significant rise in visitors. “More tourists visit during festivals compared to other times of the year.
With this in mind, we built additional structures for this year’s Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath festivals, which resulted in a substantial increase in tourist arrivals. We are more excited than ever,” he said. Last year, the wetland attracted 121,000 domestic and international tourists, according to Chaudhary.
The development of Hattidaha Wetland into a tourist hub has been supported by Lahan Municipality, the President Chure Conservation Development Program, the Division Forest Office in Lahan, the Parliamentary Development Fund, and the Udayapur Watershed Management Office, among others.
The wetland is a picturesque location with lush forests at the foot of the Chure hills, a clean pond offering boating facilities, a wildlife center, cool weather, and a peaceful environment. Other attractions include a children’s park and uniquely designed selfie spots that appeal to visitors.
Looking ahead, there are plans to further develop the area with adventure tourism activities, the promotion of community homestays, horse riding, the construction of a ‘selfie bridge’ over the pond, and the establishment of an information center. These initiatives aim to attract more tourists in the future. Chaudhary also mentioned that the area’s tourism has contributed to local employment through its internal revenue.
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