The Sudurpaschim Province government has unveiled its fiscal year 2081/82 budget, focusing on developing tourism infrastructure under the slogan “Tourism Infrastructure: Foundation for a Prosperous Province.”
The budget, passed by the Provincial Assembly on Sunday, includes plans to develop various tourism facilities in collaboration with federal, provincial, and local governments, and the private sector. Key projects include the construction of hotels, lodges, hill stations, downhill routes, sky cycling, bungee jumping, homestays, zip lines, paragliding, and rafting, all in line with the provincial tourism master plan.
Additionally, the budget outlines the organization of tourism festivals and sports-related events in the Khaptad region, in partnership with federal and local governments and the private sector. A total of NPR 5 million has been allocated for the provincial tourism festival.
To enhance tourism, the government plans to invest NPR 135 million in the development, expansion, and promotion of various religious and natural sites, such as Badimalika, Khaptad, Ramaroshan, Malikarjun, Godavari Dham, Shuklaphanta, Shaileshwari Temple, Behandababa, Ajaymeru Kot, Ugratara Temple, Tikapur Park, Shurma Devi, Melouli Bhagwati, and Baidyanath Dham.
Furthermore, the budget includes provisions for constructing a religious tourism circuit to promote eco-tourism and a feasibility study for the “Jhuse Damai Cultural Museum.” The government also aims to establish a “Herbal Park” in Kanchanpur’s Bhimdatta Municipality, Doti’s Purvichauki Rural Municipality, and Gauriganga, Kailali.
To support cross-border tourism, the budget allocates funds for establishing tourism assistance centers at Trinagar, Gaddachauki, and Karnali Chisapani. The government hopes to generate employment and reduce poverty through tourism development, especially by promoting religious and eco-tourism destinations of national and provincial significance.
The province will also set up an integrated cultural museum to preserve local art, culture, traditions, and rural eco-tourism. In addition, the private sector will be encouraged to develop model homestays to accommodate tourists, focusing on potential areas.
Aside from tourism, the budget prioritizes agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and cooperatives, with initiatives such as the “Self-Reliant Agriculture Campaign,” “Earn While Learning Program,” and “Chief Minister’s Climate-Friendly Model Agriculture Village Program.” Efforts to reduce agricultural production costs and increase farmer income through subsidized loans and electricity tariffs are also part of the budget.
The Sudurpaschim Province aims to create jobs and self-employment, reduce poverty, and diversify and modernize agriculture and tourism. The budget also emphasizes the development of education, healthcare, social sectors, governance, public services, energy, transportation, and other physical infrastructures.
The fiscal year’s budget totals NPR 31.62 billion, and after initial delays due to a change in the provincial government, it was passed by the Provincial Assembly on Sunday.
