Shuklaphanta National Park in Kanchanpur, considered one of the most promising yet underexplored tourist destinations in the country, is witnessing a steep decline in visitors despite its immense potential. Known for its vast grasslands, rich wildlife, and proximity to the Indian border, the park recorded just 3,722 visitors in the last fiscal year of 2024-25—down from 4,006 the previous year of 2023-24.

The tourist flow was healthy before the Covid pandemic. As many as 12,138 tourists visited Shuklaphanta National Park, which lies in the southwestern corner of the country, in a single year, 2017-18.

Spread over 305 sq km, Shuklaphanta is home to Asia’s largest herd of swamp deer, numbering over 2,300, along with 43 adult tigers, 23 rhinos, 306 blackbucks, and 461 bird species, according to recent counts. It also hosts lakes like Ranital and Shikarital ponds, with studies underway to include Shikarital in the Ramsar wetlands list. Despite this ecological richness, tourist numbers continue to dwindle.

Officials and conservationists attribute the decline to poor infrastructure, lack of promotional activities, and limited facilities around the park. “Beyond jungle safaris, we could offer birdwatching, camping, and nature walks,” said Purushottam Wagle, a conservation officer at the park, during a tourism event organised by the Zoological Society of London. “But without quality hotels and reliable transport, tourists don’t stay longer.” He further complained that air fare is quite expensive to reach Shuklaphanta.

Before the pandemic, annual tourist arrivals crossed the 12,000 mark, but numbers have fallen sharply since. Senior conservation officer Chandra Shekhar Chaudhary said budget constraints have slowed infrastructure upgrades. “We are building trails, watchtowers, and bridges with minimal funds and support from partner organisations,” he said, adding that the park received only around Rs3 million in the current fiscal year of 2025-26 for tourism infrastructure.

The lack of a permanent bridge over the Chaudhar river remains a major hurdle, preventing year-round safari access across all park sectors. Conservationists argue that building the bridge and improving internal roads are essential for expanding tourism activities beyond seasonal visits.

Stakeholders also stress the importance of private investment in hotels and eco-lodges around the national park. Currently, Mahendranagar town has just a few standard hotels, while areas closer to the park lack quality accommodations for nature enthusiasts seeking mesmerising experiences.

The under-construction Majhgaun airport offers some hope. Once operational, it is expected to improve access to Shuklaphanta and neighbouring tourist destinations. However, experts warn that better roads, tourism promotion, and cross-border cooperation with India are equally crucial, given the park’s proximity to the Indian states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Many believe that smoother border procedures and better transport links could draw large numbers of Indian tourists, but current bottlenecks and harassment in the border entry points discourage visitors.

Tourism promotion has also lagged behind in Shukaphanta in comparison with other destinations. “Shuklaphanta hasn’t received the publicity it deserves,” said Narendra Dev Bhatta, a board member at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). He said plans are underway to open an NTB provincial office in Sudurpaschim and establish a tourist information center at Gaddachauki near the Nepal-India border. Budgets have also been allocated to promote cultural and religious events like the Purnagiri Mela (fair), which could be linked to nature tourism in Shuklaphanta.

Of late, Shuklaphanta has come to be known as a major bird-watching destination in the country. Many tourists, both international and domestic, visit the protected area to enjoy wildlife and birds. The increasing number of birds and bird species in the park lure droves of tourists.

New bird species have been recorded in the Shuklaphanta area in recent years. Lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor), which is commonly found in South and Central Europe and West Asia, was sighted for the first time in the Kalapani area of Shuklaphanta in May 2023.

Established as a national park in 1976, Shuklaphanta is the country’s second youngest national park, after Parsa National Park. Shuklaphanta, with its sweeping grasslands, rare wildlife, and scenic wetlands, could become a major nature tourism hub. But without better roads, hotels, and promotional efforts, experts fear visitor numbers will continue to decline, leaving one of Nepal’s hidden ecological gems off the tourism map.

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The vast grasslands of the Shuklaphanta National Park, pictured recently. This park is home to Asia’s largest herd of swamp deer, numbering over 2,300. It also hosts 43 adult tigers, 23 rhinos, 306 blackbucks, and 461 bird species, according to recent counts. POST PHOTO: BHAWANI BHATTA