Rastriya Samachar Samiti

Ilam, February 7:

Arrival of tourists in the eastern hilly district of Ilam marked an increment of 25 per cent in the year 2004 compared to that of the previous year.

During the period, a total of 15,693 foreign and domestic tourists visited the hill queen of eastern Nepal. In the year 2003, Ilam district had received 12,447 tourists.

According to Ilam Sarokar Manch (ISM), an organisation affiliated to the tourism industry and activities in the district, the arrival of Indian and the domestic tourists increased by 28.02 per cent, while there was a minor decline in the number of foreign tourists visiting the district.

The ISM statistics shows that some 7,000 Indian tourists entered the country through Pasupatinagar and Manebhanjyang transit points located east of the district.

A significant number of Bangladeshi, Japanese, American and British nationals are among the foreign tourists to visit the district.

The number of Indian tourists visiting Ilam saw a significant growth after the Darjeeling administration gave entry permit to Indian nationals six months back, says Pasupati Acharya, local development officer. He also credited the Antu Festival-2003 for the rise in tourist arrivals.

The Darjeeling administration had stopped issuing entry permission to Indian nationals to enter the country citing security reason last year. A large number of foreign tourists enter Nepal through Ilam after visiting Darjeeling, the neighbouring tourist destination in India.

Ilam district is famous for tourist destinations such as Sandakpur, Shiddithumka, Tumling and Antu Danda or Antu hill is regarded as one of the best places in the country for viewing sunrise and sunset. The area is also famous among the foreign tourists for viewing mountain ranges and its natural beauty.