Shankarbeli Wetland in Sunsari Developing as Key Domestic Tourist Destination

Shankarbeli wetland, located in Ramdhuni Municipality-6, Sunsari, has recently been developing as an internal tourist destination. Established 13 years ago, the wetland area has been developed into a tourist spot through the active involvement of the consumer committee, conservation efforts, cleanliness drives, and support from provincial and local governments.

According to Ratna Rai, former chairman of the Wetland Management Committee, thousands of tourists visit here daily. Rai stated that during peak picnic season, more than 10,000 tourists visit daily, while during the 'off-season,' more than 150 tourists visit daily.

He mentioned that the area sees a rush of visitors for picnics from Kartik to Poush and from Baisakh 15 to Jestha 20. The wetland, conserved by the Shankarbeli Forest Consumer Committee, is considered an ideal spot for natural recreation and picnics. The beauty of the area is enhanced when the Shirish flowers bloom in the month of Baisakh, which also increases the influx of tourists, according to the committee.

This area, capable of hosting about 110 picnic teams simultaneously, is considered suitable for group outings. The committee collects fees ranging from 300 rupees to 1,000 rupees from visiting picnic teams. The committee stated that this amount is used for the conservation, cleanliness, and management of the wetland.

Nischal Tamang, a member of the consumer committee, informed that various infrastructure projects were constructed using the two crore rupees allocated by the Koshi Province Government in the last fiscal year 2080/81 across the wetland, which spans about four and a half bighas.

The 'White House,' constructed with the support of Ramdhuni Municipality for about 150,000 rupees in the middle of the pond, has further enhanced the attraction of the wetland. Tourists visit here from Dharan, Itahari, Biratnagar, Jhapa, and Udayapur, as well as from India.