The Koshi Provincial Government has initiated a trail-based development project, implementing a four-way trekking initiative across various hilly areas at an estimated cost of over Rs 2.45 billion. This ambitious project is funded through contributions of Rs 1.35 billion from the Swiss government, Rs 458.7 million from the provincial government, Rs 446.7 million from 29 local municipalities, and Rs 199.2 million from the federal government.
The project aims to construct and reconstruct 400 kilometers of trekking routes, including the Chiyabari Trekking Trail, Falgunanda Trekking Trail, Laligurans Trekking Trail, and Mundum. Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki inaugurated the initiative, emphasizing that tourism is a vital driver of development and prosperity for the province. He stated that tourism symbolizes the province’s strength, identity, and progress, holding immense potential for economic growth.
Swiss Ambassador Dr. Daniel Myauly highlighted that the trekking routes would create economic opportunities and reinforce federalism through collaboration. Since 2076 BS, the Swiss government has been actively supporting the province, contributing Rs 1.35 billion to this project alone.
Sadananda Mandal, the Provincial Minister of Forest, Environment, and Tourism, anticipates that the project will have a transformative impact on Koshi Province’s tourism sector. With a completion target set for Shrawan 2085, the initiative is expected to directly benefit one lakh locals and generate approximately 2,000 new tourism-related jobs.
To further boost tourism, the provincial government has declared 2082 BS as the Tourism Year, aiming to attract 78,000 domestic and international tourists during the four-year span of the project. The trail-based initiative underscores the province’s commitment to leveraging its natural beauty and trekking potential for sustainable development and economic prosperity.