Khopara Lake, located in Ward No. 5 of Annapurna Rural Municipality, which has recently emerged as a new tourist destination, is now witnessing the start of infrastructure development work.
To facilitate tourists visiting lake, construction of shelters, trekking paths, and drinking water management systems has commenced. Engineer Suman Bogati informed that the Tourism and Industry Office, with a budget of NPR 2 million allocated by the Gandaki Province government, is implementing the Khopara Tourism Infrastructure Plan through the local consumer committee.
The project aims to be completed by the upcoming Ashadh month (mid-June). Given Khopara’s high altitude of 3,600 meters above sea level, the laborers from the nearby Paudwar village have temporarily settled there to work efficiently. Hari Paija, the chairperson of the consumer committee, shared that since the village is far from the working site, the workers stay on-site and work both mornings and evenings.
“Until the second week of Baishakh (late April to early May), snowfall prevented us from working,” he said, “Even now, afternoon rains after 2 PM often disrupt the work throughout the day.” Last year, the Gandaki Province government had also allocated NPR 2 million for tourism infrastructure development in Khopara.
With the expansion of roads and the Annapurna Circular Trek route becoming shorter, Khopara has been promoted as an alternative destination to extend tourists’ stay and travel duration in the region. Khopara falls under the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).
Nestled on a steep hillside surrounded by rhododendron forests, Khopara is rich in biodiversity. Tourists visiting here can enjoy panoramic views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Gurja Himal, and stunning sunrises and sunsets. The area also offers diverse mountainous terrain, forests, wildlife, traditional animal shelters, lakes, and waterfalls.
With the rise in tourist arrivals, the local tourism cooperative is constructing a new building to expand the capacity of the existing community lodge, aiming to provide better shelter and facilities for visitors.
