Rumsi Village: A Model Tourism Hub in Tanahun

Tannu. Traditional houses adorned with neatly arranged stones. Stones covering the path to reach the houses.

Ninety percent of the total households in the village are from the Magar community. Rumsi village, located in Byas Municipality-14, Tanahun, is a beautiful and scenic village with diverse originality.

With the objective of increasing the income of the local residents through the promotion of village tourism, this place has started to make strides in tourism since the Byas Municipality, in collaboration with the Gandaki Province government, started a program three years ago to develop this village as a model village.

This village is particularly known as the 'Lahure' village because a large number of its residents have been recruited into the British and Indian armies. Santosh Thapa, Chairman of the Rumsi Community Homestay Management Committee, informed that various programs are being implemented to develop this village as a model village through the Chief Minister's Innovation Partnership Program, which is being operated by the municipality in collaboration with the provincial government.

He informed that out of the total 120 households here, 90 percent are dominated by the Magar community, and homestays are being operated in 80 houses. He stated that emphasis has been placed on the conservation and utilization of the historical, religious, cultural, and natural heritage of the village to develop it as a model settlement.

He said that the goal is to develop the village as an attractive tourist destination by increasing income through various tourism and agricultural activities. Under the Chief Minister's Innovation Program, programs such as the Bandipur-Rumsi Village Tour, Rumsi Eco Trek, Canyoning at Rumsi Waterfall, Farmer's School, cultural exchange, local food dishes, and religious programs are planned.

The Gandaki Province government allocated Rs 65 lakh and the Byas Municipality allocated Rs 35 lakh for the program. Chairman Thapa informed that the municipality has allocated Rs 10 lakh this year for building houses to facilitate the management of the homestays operated here.

Hari Maya Thapa, a member of the Rumsi Community Homestay Management Committee, said that domestic and foreign tourists come to the homestays operated in the village from various places. She shared her experience that any tourist who visits once praises the beauty and hospitality of the village upon leaving.

She informed that the locals have set a reasonable package for homestays, with a charge of Rs 1,200 per night. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with tea and snacks, followed by dinner with local chicken/mutton and breakfast the next day. She informed that local organic products are used in the food and snacks served. She also mentioned that guests are served food collectively and then sent to their respective homes, and groups of more than 10 tourists are welcomed with the village's unique art and culture.

Tourists visiting here can enjoy seasonal natural products like fiddlehead ferns and 'siplikan'.

How to Reach Rumsi
Rumsi can be reached using various modes of transport from Tanahun's district headquarters, Damauli, and the tourist destination, Bandipur.

The total distance from Damauli to Rumsi is 16 kilometers, while from Bandipur it is 15 kilometers. From Damauli, one can come via Bhadgaun, Buddhasingh Marg, Pokhari Bhanjyang, Gudi Phachyang, and Keshavtar, while from Bandipur, one can come via Serathar, Sukhaura, and Keshavtar.

Local residents say that public transport from Damauli to Rumsi runs at different times from morning daily, while private vehicles can be used from Bandipur. According to Basanta Poudel, operator of the Village Safari, tourists coming to Bandipur are now being transported to Rumsi via the recently launched Village Safari, which uses jeeps similar to those used for jungle safaris, allowing for observation of the rural environment.

Mani Raj Lamichhane, Chief of Nepal Tourism Board, Gandaki Province, said that an introductory tour (familiarization trip) was recently organized for journalists and tourism entrepreneurs to this village during the Village Tourism Mart held in Bandipur, for the promotion of tourism in Rumsi.

He expressed confidence that the introductory tour with journalists will achieve significant success in promoting the village's tourism. Shobha Sapkota, President of the Village Tourism Promotion Forum (VITO), Gandaki Province, informed that VITO is also promoting potential villages within the Gandaki Province under the slogan 'Every Village, a Tourist Destination'.

She stated that priority is given to training homestay operators in potential tourist villages in areas such as hospitality and homestay management as needed.