Sukhani Martyrs Memorial Park, a growing attraction for domestic tourists, has seen a drop in visitor numbers in the past fiscal year compared to the fiscal year 2079/80. Assistant Manager Yogendra Rizal attributed this decline to the inability to operate the park’s main attraction, the musical water fountain, during nighttime hours.
In fiscal year 2079/80, when the evening fountain shows were operational, the park welcomed 221,000 domestic and international tourists, generating a revenue of NPR 11 million in ticket sales. However, technical issues with the fountain restricted its operation to daytime only, resulting in a reduced visitor count of 184,000 in the last fiscal year, Rizal explained. “The dual-time fountain shows brought in more tourists,” he said, adding that the shutdown of nighttime services has led to a significant dip in both visitors and park revenue.
The musical fountain was installed two years ago with an investment of NPR 5 million from the Ministry of Tourism and NPR 1.5 million from the park. Despite the funds allocated, the fountain’s upkeep has been inadequate, leaving it operational only during the day. Flooding before Dashain also impacted the fountain’s functionality, said Rizal.
Spanning 24.75 hectares of community forest in wards 9 and 11 of Arjundhara Municipality, Sukhani Martyrs Memorial Park commemorates the five martyrs who lost their lives during the Panchayat era. In addition to the martyrs’ statues, the park features a turtle rescue and breeding center, a children’s playground, picnic areas, a boating pond created by damming a wetland area, and a suspension bridge, according to the park management committee.
The park charges an entry fee of NPR 50 and an additional NPR 50 for boating, while seniors, children, and people with disabilities can enter free of charge, Rizal noted.
Despite the setbacks, Sukhani Martyrs Memorial Park continues to offer an enriching experience for visitors, though restoring the evening fountain shows is seen as crucial for boosting tourism in the coming years.
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