Dhorpatan Welcomed Over 23,000 Tourists in a Year

Nepal’s only hunting reserve, Dhorpatan, welcomed 23,692 tourists in Fiscal Year 2024/25, marking a significant increase compared to 15,573 visitors in the previous fiscal year, according to the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Office.

Ranger Sagar Subedi of the reserve office said the rise of more than 8,000 visitors was largely driven by increased promotion and improved tourism infrastructure. Among the total visitors, 12 were from SAARC countries and 213 from other foreign nations, while the majority were domestic tourists.

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Subedi noted that the growth in visitor numbers has boosted revenue, with more than Rs 2 million collected from entry fees last fiscal year. Nepali tourists pay Rs 100 for entry into the reserve.

He added that popular trekking routes and the promotion of sites such as Dhorpatan Valley, Niseldhor, Dhorbarah Temple, Bukipatan, and Jaljala have also contributed to the surge. While foreign tourists primarily visit for hunting, domestic visitors are drawn to the natural and cultural attractions of the area.

Ram Bahadur Gharti, operator of Dhorpatan Community Homestay, said around two dozen hotels and homestays are now operating in the valley, and tour packages have made access to the region more convenient. -- RSS

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