Rasuwa, Feb. 5: A total of 116,384 foreign tourists have visited the Langtang National Park as of last year.

According to chief conservation officer at the National Park Office Jhamak Bahadur Karki, a total of Rs. 54,526,000 has been realised as revenue so far through fees charged to tourists visiting Langtang and Gosainkunda areas since the commencement of tourist registration in fiscal year 2035/36.

Some 8,808 foreign tourists came here during Visit Nepal Year 1998 and the number rose to 16,076 in 1999.

The tourists start their journey on foot after reaching Dhunche by bus 120 kilometres from Kathmandu or Syaphrubainsi which is 233 kilometres.

Picturesque mountainous ranges and natural beauty can be viewed from Langtang. It takes 4 days to reach there from Dhunche and 3 days from Syaphrubainsi.

Poor people here have been able to manage their livelihood to some extent with the wages of Rs. 150-300  they get per day for guiding and or portering.

It is estimated that the turnover of the  local hotels exceeds  by Rs. 10 million per year. An average amount of Rs. 1,000 is spent daily by a tourist who normally stay 8-10 days.

Tourists now have better services from 52 hotels following the classification of hotels introduced by the government.

Some 24 hotels here are under operation  under ‘A’ grade, 11 under “B’ grade and 8 under ‘C’ grade under a 5 year contract period. There are also 9 curio outlets.

Fifty percent of the revenue amount of Rs. 343,55  being realised from the hotels has been using in a community development programme for local people under the national park central area development programme.

Hotels for the tourists have also been contracted on private land at Chandanbari, Thulosyaphru, Syaphrubainsi, Langtang and Kangjen.

The tourists hotels inside the park area furnish price lists for food items and are also equipped with smoke free ovens.

Kerosene has been available for hotels outside the park areas to reduce the consumption of wood within the park.

Some persons belonging to other districts also have found employment in cooking and cleaning after undergoing training being conducted by the tropical mountain institute, an INGO, and the park itself.

A variety of birds and butterflies and other wildlife such as deer, snow leopard and bear are added attractions in the national park for visiting tourists, the chief officer said.

In case tourists suddenly fall ill in the Park area, a helicopter can be sent for by the telephone at Chandanbari or by wireless. Helicopters can be booked at Dhunche.

The local people could hardly eke out a living for three months in the year by cultivating crops like potato and barley on land in the lap of the Langtang Massif. But with the advent of the tourists living standards have risen. Some people in the hotel business can even afford to reserve a helicopter in case of need.

If camping sites can be arranged for tourists who come in groups, it would be an added attraction, and local people could find employment as guides after undergoing training.