Efforts are underway to develop Hile of Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality–9 in Bhojpur into a new rural tourism destination by conserving the culturally and environmentally significant Bar-Pipal trees and improving local tourism infrastructure. A plantation and rest-shelter construction program has been launched with a budget of around NPR 700,000 from the Division Forest Office, Bhojpur. The initiative combines the conservation of Bar-Pipal trees with the development of public spaces that can serve both local residents and visitors.
Protecting a Cultural and Natural Heritage
According to Khudrus Miya, Chief of the Division Forest Office, Bhojpur, the program aims to protect Bar-Pipal trees while promoting the area as an attractive tourism destination. Bar and Pipal trees hold strong religious and cultural significance in Nepali society and are also important for local biodiversity and the environment. Miya said the project gives priority to plantation and the construction of a traditional resting platform, known as a Chautara, as part of efforts to preserve this heritage while creating tourism opportunities.
Plans for a ‘Rishi Ban’ and Study Centre
Ward Chairperson Nabraj Mangfahang said plans are being considered to establish a Bar-Pipal study centre in the area and develop the site as a ‘Rishi Ban’ (Sage Forest) in the long term. Eight different varieties of Bar trees have already been planted in the area, while other locally suitable species, including rhododendron, are also being planted to expand greenery and improve the landscape. The plantation and Chautara construction were carried out under the ‘Bar-Pipal Shami Chautari Construction Program’, with local initiative playing an important role in implementing the project.
Chautara Adds to the Visitor Experience
The newly constructed Chautara is expected to provide a convenient resting place for local people while also creating an additional attraction for visitors.
Traditional Chautaras have historically served as resting points for travellers in Nepal, making them an element of both rural culture and tourism. With greenery, traditional structures and plans for a study centre, the site could gradually develop into a place where visitors can experience the area’s natural environment and cultural heritage.
Community Support for Conservation
Local resident Nandakumar Timilsina welcomed the initiative, particularly at a time when traditional Bar-Pipal trees are increasingly disappearing from many areas. He said conserving the trees along with constructing a Chautara would help preserve the identity of the village while also contributing to environmental balance. The involvement of local residents in the project is expected to strengthen community ownership of conservation activities and encourage greater participation in future tourism development.
Potential for Rural and Sustainable Tourism
The initiative is expected to contribute to biodiversity conservation, preservation of religious and cultural heritage, and rural tourism development in the Temkemaiyung area. The Division Forest Office also sees potential for creating local income-generating opportunities through the sustainable use and conservation of forest resources. If properly developed, the site could become a community-based tourism attraction where visitors can enjoy nature while learning about local traditions and plant species.
Long-Term Tourism Potential
The combination of Bar-Pipal conservation, Chautara construction, plantation, expanded greenery and a proposed study centre could give Hile a distinctive identity as a cultural and nature-based tourism destination. Local stakeholders believe these activities could help establish Hile as a new attraction within Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality, while also demonstrating how conservation of traditional natural heritage can be linked with sustainable rural tourism. The Hile initiative shows how protecting culturally important trees and developing simple, community-focused infrastructure can create new opportunities for rural tourism while preserving local heritage and the natural environment.
