BANKE: The Gabhar Valley community homestay facility in Baijanath Rural Municipality of Banke is currently bustling with domestic tourists.

With the conclusion of major festivals like Dashain, the flow of tourists here has been increasing daily.

Krishnalal Chaudhary, Chairman of Gabhar Valley Community Homestay, said there has been an increase in guest arrivals at the homestay, which used to be deserted during the rainy season.

Tourists are particularly attracted to trekking routes and jungle safaris. A large number of visitors are coming here not only from Banke and Bardiya but also from other districts of Karnali, Sudurpashchim, and Lumbini provinces.

Gabhar Valley, which has established itself as a tourism destination in a short time, is located in the buffer zone of Banke National Park. Jungle safari has become the preference of domestic tourists visiting here.

According to Chairman Chaudhary, the importance of this area has increased due to the opportunity to see wildlife such as tigers, elephants and leopards, and to enjoy nature.

Currently, about 500 domestic tourists visit Gabhar Valley Homestay, run by the Tharu and Mugali communities, every day.

Not only traditional homestays but also luxurious hotels with significant investment have been added here, providing guests with well-facilitated rural tourism experience.

He says: “We have not only focused on livelihood but have also introduced, for the first time in Nepal, the concepts of income generation, cultural promotion, environmental conservation and tiger watching.

Gabhar Valley Homestay is a pioneer in promoting domestic tourism and a place to initiate a new dimension in the tourism industry.”

According to Chairman Chaudhary, old homestay have been upgraded with added infrastructure and large investment hotels have also been added.

The Gabhar Valley community homestay, which started in 2070 B.S., is now recognised as model homestay tourism in Nepal.

The homestay service here has become not only a means of livelihood but also a source of income. Although businesses in Gabhar Valley started with an investment of Rs 20,000 to 30,000 in the initial days, according to Chairman Chaudhary, investments now range from Rs 2 million to 5 million.

Bhim Kandel, President of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association Banke, said that the homestay service operated at Gabhar Valley, Banke has now become a strong means of sustainable income, not just a livelihood.

There has been significant improvement in the local community’s lifestyle and even in their economic condition since the establishment of the homestay services, he said.