Koshi Province Minister Highlights 100 Days Achievements in Tourism, Forest Management, and Conservation

Biratnagar. The Minister of Tourism, Forests and Environment of Koshi Province, Bhim Parajuli, has made public 100 main achievements of the ministry on the occasion of completing 100 days of his tenure.

The list, published on Friday under the title '100 Notable Works in 100 Days', includes work done in the areas of tourism promotion, forest management, biodiversity conservation, and good governance.

Minister Parajuli stated that his tenure prioritized the tourism sector, with Koshi Province entering into bilateral understanding with Gandaki, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces for tourism promotion. He also mentioned initiatives for direct Pokhara-Biratnagar air service and tourist bus operation.

Minister Parajuli informed that efforts have begun to connect the tourist areas of Koshi Province with the Ramayana Circuit and to create an integrated package in collaboration with tourism entrepreneurs of Chitwan.

According to the published list, in terms of tourism infrastructure, a tourism information center has been established in Harkapur, Okhaldhunga, and a total of 46.9 kilometers of trekking routes, including the Mundhum Trekking Route, Laligurans Trekking Route, Falgunanda, and Chiyabari trekking routes, have been constructed and renovated. The promotion of the Mundhum Trekking Route through QFX Cinema and Buddha Air's inflight magazine is mentioned as an achievement.

The provincial government has also reported significant revenue collection from the forest sector. It is claimed that a revenue of 6 crore 2 lakh 92 thousand has been collected through overall forest management, with a large amount collected from timber sales. Minister Parajuli stated that millions of cubic feet of timber and firewood have been produced from government and community forests, and the process of internal consumption and auction is underway.

According to him, 1 crore 7 lakh cubic feet of timber has been sold and distributed for private forest promotion. The achievement includes the construction of permanent nurseries in Dhankuta and Panchthar and the renovation of 40 timber nurseries.

Minister Parajuli has expressed special interest in reducing human-wildlife conflict. During this period, a total of 2 crore 18 lakh 24 thousand rupees in relief has been distributed to 1,066 individuals affected by wildlife. He mentioned that a Rapid Response Team has been formed in Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari to reduce elephant conflict, and patrols are being conducted using drones. Solar fencing and solar wire fences have been repaired and installed over more than 33 kilometers in Jhapa and Sunsari.

In the area of conservation, the ministry has collaborated in organizing the Red Panda Festival in Sandakpur and the Yak Festival in Phalebung, Panchthar. Red Panda surveys and landslide mapping have been completed in Okhaldhunga. Additionally, fire control materials have been distributed to community forests in various districts.

Environmentally, 33 environmental study reports have been approved. The completion of road landslide prevention works in 13 locations and irrigation watershed management works in 10 locations in Koshi Province is mentioned in Minister Parajuli's 100-day achievements.

A significant achievement of Minister Parajuli's tenure is that the ministry and the Forest Directorate have zero outstanding audit irregularities. This reflects financial discipline and good governance. The ministry has also taken steps towards digital governance by implementing an integrated office management system.

Regarding the budget implementation for the fiscal year 2082/083, the ministry has achieved 37.98 percent financial progress and 72.5 percent physical progress so far. Minister Parajuli himself has monitored and inspected 12 districts of the province and directed to make service delivery effective.