Nareshwor Lake in Vyas Municipality 10, Dumsichaur, Tanahun, has begun attracting a growing number of domestic visitors following the introduction of kayaking, with the scenic reservoir increasingly emerging as a popular destination for short-distance trips. The lake has recently been drawing around 200 to 300 domestic tourists a day, particularly during holidays, as visitors are attracted by its peaceful surroundings, natural setting, and recreational opportunities.
Kayaking Brings A New Wave Of Domestic Visitors
The introduction of kayaking has added a new recreational attraction to Nareshwor Lake and appears to have played a major role in increasing visitor numbers. The combination of calm waters and the surrounding landscape has made the lake appealing to young people, families and groups looking for a nearby destination where they can spend time outdoors without travelling far from the main urban areas of Tanahun.
Resident Bijay Darai said the lake had initially been in a testing phase for kayaking, but visitor numbers began increasing noticeably as more people became aware of the activity and the area’s natural appeal. According to him, the growing presence of the lake on social media has also contributed to its rising popularity, with visitors increasingly sharing their experiences and encouraging others to visit.
The recent increase in visitors has also raised expectations among residents that tourism activity around the lake could generate wider economic benefits. Increased footfall could create opportunities for small businesses, food outlets, accommodation providers and vendors selling local products, while also creating additional employment opportunities for people living in the surrounding communities.
Reservoir Development Opens Tourism And Agriculture Potential
Nareshwor Lake is not solely a tourism project. The reservoir covers around 28 ropanis and was constructed using concrete gravity dam technology, according to Vyas Municipality Chief Administrative Officer Sukdev Lamsal. The dam is approximately eight metres high, while the lake has an average depth of around 2.5 to three metres and a water-storage capacity estimated at between 25,000 and 30,000 cubic metres.
The municipality has developed the reservoir as a multipurpose project intended to serve several local needs, including agriculture, environmental protection, tourism and employment generation. While the stored water is expected to support irrigation in nearby farmland, the growing popularity of the lake has created an additional opportunity to use the site as a recreational and tourism destination.
Ward Chair Khemraj Pokhrel said the stored water would be pumped and distributed to nearby agricultural land, particularly benefiting farmers in Dumsichaur. The irrigation component is expected to reduce farmers’ dependence on rainfall and support more reliable agricultural production, while the tourism use of the reservoir provides another potential source of economic activity for the area.
Vyas Municipality Plans Wider Tourism Development
With visitor numbers increasing, Vyas Municipality is now looking at Nareshwor Lake as a potential new domestic tourism destination rather than simply a local recreational site. Mayor Baikuntha Neupane said the municipality wants development around the lake to generate direct economic opportunities for local communities, including through hotels, restaurants, local-product sales and other tourism-related services.
The municipality’s approach is to connect tourism development with the surrounding local economy so that visitors do more than simply visit the lake and leave. The expansion of supporting infrastructure and businesses could encourage longer visits while creating opportunities for residents to benefit from the growing flow of domestic tourists.
The increasing popularity of the lake also highlights the potential for developing short-distance tourism destinations within Nepal. As domestic travellers increasingly look for accessible places for brief trips and outdoor activities, destinations such as Nareshwor can benefit from recreational facilities that complement their natural surroundings.
Rs 4 Crore Project Gains New Tourism Significance
Nareshwor Lake was constructed jointly by Byas Municipality and the Gandaki Province Government, with the project costing approximately Rs 4 crore. Although the original investment was designed around broader needs such as water storage and agricultural use, the growing number of visitors has given the project an increasingly important tourism dimension. The municipality now sees the reservoir as a foundation for linking agriculture, tourism, environmental protection and local employment within a single development area.
If tourism infrastructure and services continue to improve alongside the recreational use of the lake, Nareshwor could develop from a newly popular local attraction into a more established domestic tourism destination in Tanahun. With hundreds of visitors already arriving on busy days and kayaking providing a new reason to explore the area, Nareshwor Lake is gaining momentum as a promising short-distance tourism destination while creating new possibilities for the local economy.
