Developing Tourism in Chepang areas

The Prajas of eastern hills of Chitwan district, also known as Chepangs, are known to live ancient, nomadic life, sometimes in poverty and destitution. However, hopes have arisen to see their villages being developed into centres of tourist attraction with the commencement of Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme (TRPAP) that has been working in the 4 VDCs of Chitwan since 2002.

There are 3,741 households and a population of 21,516 in the 4 VDCs, which together cover an area of 207.39 square kilometres. Of the total population, 11,284 are Chepangs. Leading lives segregated from other tribal people, the typical characteristics of the Prajas make them and their lifestyle unique as tourist attraction. They occupy themselves with hunting, collecting wild roots, fishing and farming along jungle edges and live on wild animals, fish and vegetables that they are able to find and grow. Noting the potential for tourist activities in this area, TRPAP has identified the Chitwan Chepang villages as one of their major upcoming areas for tourism.

The programme aims at improving the lifestyle of the Chepangs by identifying and showing the world the area’s natural heritage, historical significance and cultural assets. The program has been launched in Kaule, Shaktikhor, Siddhi and Korak VDCs. Some of the works done are: setting up of tourist information centre at Shaktikhor; construction of community building at Kaule; making of Kaule-Siraichuli-Shaktikhor horse-trail. Similarly, District Development Committee/TRPAP of Chitwan has worked on management of garbage, drinking water, toilet and lodging of the visitors.

Similarly, tourism-oriented trainings on various subjects that include hotel management, tourist guiding, tourist porters, handicraft making, leadership development and using of bio-gas and improved ovens, has been provided to about 200 local people so far, according to Ram Hari Devkota of TRPAP.

It has been said that about 33 percent of tourists who come to visit Nepal’s one of the major tourist destinations at Royal Chitwan National Park, are sure to visit the Chepang locality situated only 7 kilometres away from Sauraha in order to experience their unique culture. In order to reach Sauraha, a tourist can start from Charaudi on the Prithvi Highway. One has to go boating on River Trishuli up to Hugdi, and then trek through Hattibang, from where you further climb up to Siraichuli and then trek through Upardang Gadhi to reach the Chepang area.

Siraichuli, a peak on Mahabharat Range is 1,945 metres from sea level and serves a good vantage point to view natural scenes. The panorama of snow-covered peaks to be seen from here is Gurja, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Machhapuchre, Rolwaling, Gaurishankar in the north while toward the south stretch vast plains of Terai. One can also see beautiful sunrise and sunset from the peak at Siraichuli. To facilitate nature watching a view tower has been built at Siraichuli Peak, which looks like the Tiger Hill of Darjeeling. According to an international expert there is also a good possibility of para-gliding from Siraichuli Peak to Bharatpur.

Another place to be noted is Upardang Gadhi, which was the district headquarters of Chitwan till 2018 Bikram Era. The elegance and historical structures of Upardang Gadhi sits as an ancient citadel at a distance of 5 miles north from Tandi Bajaar, Chitwan. The fort, said to have been built by Shatru Bhanjan Shah, the oldest son of Bahadur Shah, lies at an altitude of 1,275 metres.

The area also famous for its bio-diversity and bird-watching opportunities is said to be home to about 400 species of birds. This is the habitat for 16 rare species, according to Hem Subedi of Sauraha Birds Education Society. Chitrang Fall, Chamere Cave, various ponds and tunnels, and of course the live museum in the form of Chepang culture and cultural heritage of Magar and Gurung people are other tourist attractions of the area.

'There is immense possibility of promoting tourism in the area as views of landscape from Himalayan peaks to low-land Terai can be offered in a single package of short duration starting either from Hugdi of Dhading or Sauraha of Chitwan,' says President of Trekking Agents' Association of Nepal (TAAN) Dipak Mahat.

The livelihood of the Chepang people is still poor though different programmes including Praja Capacity Development Project (PCDP) have been launched since 2034 BS targeting development in their area. Some of them are still leading gypsy life, housing around jungle edges and living on hunting. 70% of the Chepangs are illiterate, 85 percent do not have citizenship rights and 95 percent do not have land ownership certificates.

However, after the implementation of TRPAP in the area people have been aware to some extent. They have started understanding the significance of tourism and some have even looked forward to tourism as a source of income. The Chepangs have been involved in protecting and utilising the forest on their own under different lease or community forest programmes. They have taken to collection and even cultivation of herbs. .

“Substantial amount of work has been accomplished in the area for the promotion of domestic and external tourism in comparison with other districts,” said National Programme Manager of TRPAP Rabi Jung Pandey.

According to Joint-Secretary of the Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Shankar Prasad Koirala, the programme will definitely help meeting the government's goals of poverty reduction through the development of tourism in rural areas.
Courtesy: Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme (TRPAP) .