Surkhet, April 23

The government of Karnali Province today made its plans and policies for this fiscal public.

Governor Durga Keshar Khanal, making the plans and policies public today, said that medicinal herbs, agriculture, hydro resources, tourism development were the bases for the prosperity of the province. Hence, the government would keep those areas in the key priority list.

He claimed that they were planning to develop Karnali Province as a tourism hub, create investment-friendly atmosphere, heighten the identity of the province in the national and international levels and launch various lucrative packages to record tourist arrival by more than 5 lakh in 2019.

The plan incorporates the idea of forming Karnali Tourism Development Authority for effective implementation of pilot projects of tourism development in accordance with the slogan, “The bases of Prosperous Karnali are Development of Tourism and Infrastructure.”

It further states that projects such as Fukot Karnali, Betan Karnali, Jagadulla Hydropower Project, Sarada Hydropower Project, Nalsinghgad Hydropower Project, among other major development projects, will be kept as top priority and investment-friendly atmosphere will be ensured. It aims to ensure access to hydro electricity in all the local levels and alternative energy sources will be developed for the bright Karnali campaign.

The provincial government is planning to develop necessary coordination with the federal government to connect Humla and Dolpa with the national road network. Similarly, different projects including Jamunah-Hilsa Prime Minister International Fast Track, Karnali Corridor and Bheri Corridor, among others will be included among the national pride projects for the overall development and prosperity of entire Karnali province. It states that a feasibility study will be conducted in coordination with the federal government for tunnel construction from Bardiya to Surkhet.

Providing at least an ambulance to each local level connected with road, opening a skill-oriented school in Surkhet and taking necessary initiative to keep the Mid-western University and Karnali Academy of health Sciences under the provincial government by drafting necessary laws and developing Surkhet-based Regional Hospital into a Medical College and Teaching Hospital, among others, have been included in the plans.

Likewise, preparation of a DPR to construct a provincial stadium in Surkhet, opening a study centre on high altitude at a suitable place of the province and forming a sports council to develop games and sports also are in the list.

The government has also decided to develop a fully organic province. An organic Agriculture Production Council will be formed with the support of an expert team, employment generation will be focused through the concept of cooperative in each village and town, land will be properly utilised by scientifically categorizing it according to the policy.