Rastriya Samachar Samiti

Nepalgunj, February 7

Fifteen districts in Bheri, Rapti and Karnali zones of the midwestern region are rich in natural resources, though they are lagging behind from the development point of view.

The whole of Karnali afflicted with numerous problems such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and ill health is considered to be the most backward zone in the entire kingdom and no part of the area is linked with a road. The government has been trying to connect the Karnali with road transport. The government is building the Karnali highway from Surkhet to bring the Karnali zone into the mainstream of development.

The government has been making efforts to provide reliable road transport to the mid-hilly districts. A motorable road from Surkhet to Salyan and Jajarkot via Chhinchu is under construction. Likewise, the Royal Nepal Army is building a motorable road to Musikot, the headquarters of Rukum in Rapti. At present, a tractor can reach Musikot along the road under construction, it has been stated.

Because of the lack of motorable roads in the remote hilly districts, people there are under compulsion to walk for days to get even things for daily use. The government has been making necessary provisions for supplying essential commodities including salt, rice, edible oil and kerosene to people of the area through Nepal Food Corporation, Salt Trading Corporation and other relevant organisations.

There is a prospect for tourism which is rich in precious medicinal herbs such as Yarsagumba, Kutki and Guchhi Chyau. The picturesque Rara lake at Mugu of Karnali has the potential to draw thousands of tourists annually, while the Royal Bardiya National Park is also beckoning tourists.

Besides, Swargadwari in Pyuthan, Kubhinde lake in Salyan, Chandanath and Bhairavnath temples in Jumla, Sinja valley in Jumla, Dullu of Dailekh, Kankre Vihar and Latikoili temple in Surkhet and Bageshwari temple in Banke can help promote internal tourism significantly in the region.

As Karnali is the gateway for visiting Mansoravar lake in Tibet, the tourism potential of the area is quite high. The picturesque scenery, monasteries, lifestyle and culture of the hilly and plain areas make this region unique.