Preparations are underway to develop a new tourism infrastructure hub on 83 bighas of long unused government land in Thakurbaba Municipality, Bardiya, to attract more visitors and encourage tourists to extend their stay in the area. The municipality has proposed developing a multipurpose lake, recreational park, picnic areas and other tourism facilities on the site, which is located in Bargada of Thakurbaba Municipality 4. The proposed development is expected to create an additional attraction for visitors travelling to Bardiya and contribute to the local economy, employment generation and tourism development of the municipality.
Long Unused Land to Be Converted into a Tourism Destination
The land identified for the project had remained unused for many years and had reportedly faced local encroachment. According to Thakurbaba Municipality, the property was acquired by the government under the land reform program after it exceeded the legally defined landholding ceiling. It subsequently remained unregistered in the name of any individual, leaving the large area without productive use for an extended period.
Following years of effort, the land has now been brought under the ownership of the Government of Nepal, creating an opportunity for the municipality to use the area for planned tourism development. Mayor Tilak Ram Lamsal said the municipality had been working for approximately three years to secure the land for municipal use. With the property now registered in the government’s name, the municipality has begun the process of obtaining the land on lease so that development activities can move forward.
Multipurpose Lake to Cover Nearly Half the Area
According to the municipality’s plan, around 48 bighas of the total 83 bighas will be allocated for the construction of a multipurpose lake. The remaining land will be used for parks, picnic areas, and other recreational and tourism-related facilities. The proposed development is intended to create a destination where visitors can spend more time rather than simply passing through the area. The municipality believes that the combination of a lake, green spaces, recreational areas and visitor facilities could provide tourists with additional activities and encourage longer stays. The project is therefore being planned not simply as an infrastructure development scheme but as a new travel destination designed to complement existing attractions in Bardiya.
Lease Process Underway
Mayor Lamsal said the municipality has already moved forward with the process of obtaining the land on lease. According to him, the relevant file was returned for a decision regarding the lease, and the municipality is preparing to make the necessary decision and resubmit it. The completion of this administrative process is considered an important step before the municipality can begin the proposed tourism infrastructure development. Once the land is secured, the municipality plans to move ahead with the development of the lake, park, picnic areas, and other tourism facilities. The local government expects that putting the previously unused land into productive use will create a new economic opportunity while also improving the tourism appeal of the municipality.
Aim to Extend Tourists’ Stay
Deputy Mayor Bina Kumari Bhattarai said the project is being developed with the specific objective of encouraging tourists visiting Thakurbaba to stay for an additional day. At present, visitors may travel through the area primarily to reach major attractions, particularly Bardiya National Park. The municipality wants to provide additional recreational opportunities that could encourage visitors to spend more time within the surrounding community.
She said the municipality’s broader objective is to create another tourist destination, increase tourism-related activities, and generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities for residents. Longer tourist stays could also increase demand for accommodation, food, transportation, guiding, local products and other services, potentially allowing more members of the community to benefit from travel.
Designed to Complement Bardiya National Park
The proposed tourism infrastructure will primarily target tourists visiting Bardiya National Park, one of the major attractions in the region. The municipality noted that the entrance to the national park is situated in the western part of Thakurbaba Municipality, while the proposed development site lies toward the eastern side. The local government therefore plans to use the new tourism facilities to encourage visitors to explore areas beyond the existing park entrance and distribute tourism activity more widely across the municipality.
The development could provide visitors with alternative recreational experiences alongside wildlife tourism. By establishing a lake, park and picnic facilities, Thakurbaba aims to create a destination where tourists can relax and participate in leisure activities before or after visiting the national park. The municipality expects this approach to help diversify local tourism products and increase the economic benefits generated by visitors.
Potential Investment of Around Rs. 1 Billion
The municipality is also collaborating with the World Food Organization for the proposed tourism infrastructure development. According to Mayor Lamsal, the organization has proposed an investment of approximately Rs. 1 billion for tourism infrastructure in the area. However, the proposed investment has not yet reached the implementation stage, meaning that the project will require further administrative and procedural progress before the proposed funding can be put into use.
If the proposed investment moves forward, it could provide significant financial support for transforming the long unused land into a developed tourism area. Such an investment could help the municipality establish infrastructure on a larger scale and potentially create a destination capable of attracting visitors beyond those who come primarily for Bardiya National Park.
Expected Benefits for the Local Economy
The municipality expects the proposed development to have a positive impact on the local economy by creating a new tourism attraction in the eastern part of the municipality. The creation of recreational facilities could encourage tourists to spend more time locally, increasing demand for hotels, restaurants, transportation services, local products, and other tourism-related businesses. The project could also generate employment opportunities for local communities, both during the construction phase and after the facilities become operational. Direct employment could be created through the management and operation of tourism facilities, while indirect opportunities could emerge through accommodation, food services, transportation, small businesses and the sale of locally produced goods.
A New Opportunity for Bardiya Tourism
The proposed development on the 83 bigha site represents an effort to transform land that remained unused for years into a productive tourism asset. The planned multipurpose lake, parks, picnic areas and recreational facilities could provide visitors with additional reasons to explore Thakurbaba while supporting the municipality’s goal of increasing tourist stays and spreading tourism benefits across a wider area. However, the success of the project will depend on completing the lease process, securing the proposed investment and implementing the planned infrastructure effectively.
If these steps are completed successfully, the development could become an important new tourism attraction in Bardiya and complement the wildlife experiences offered by Bardiya National Park. By combining nature-based tourism, recreation, local employment and community economic opportunities, Thakurbaba Municipality hopes to establish the eastern part of the municipality as an additional tourism destination and strengthen Bardiya’s position as a diverse tourism area.
