Okhaldhunga, April 14

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari said today that more publicity was needed to promote agriculture and tourism in the country.

Inaugurating the first Thole Demba Tourism Festival amidst a function in Okhaldhunga today, the president urged tourism entrepreneurs to work together to increase the number of tourists coming into the district.

The president said that tourism entrepreneurs need to work on environment management, security, effective communication systems, quality hotels and lodges, and proper health care to encourage more number of tourists, both domestic and international, to visit the district.

President Bhandari further stressed on the need of rebuilding earthquake-damaged religious and cultural heritages, including temples and monasteries, for the sustainable development of tourism sector, and to keep such heritages safe for future generations.

The Thole Demba is a sacred site for locals of different communities in the area.

Locals come to pray for progress and prosperity at the site. The festival that began today will run for three days.

On the occasion, Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala and CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel spoke of the need of promoting tourism in the region.

Lawmakers Shakuntala Rajbhandari, Ramhari Khatiwada, and Yagyaraj Sunuwar pledged to do all they can from their side to promote the district’s tourism sector.