This photo posted on social media shows snow-clad hills of Khaptad. Photo Courtesy: Dipak B Khadka.

January 23:  Khaptad, a major tourist destination in Sudurpaschim Province, has drawn increasing number of domestic tourists since the second snowfall this winter on last Wednesday.    

The green meadow and high hills surrounding Khaptad have been clad with over a feet snow attracting nature lovers, informed the officials of Khaptad National Park at Jhigrana.    

Around 12 to 15 domestic tourists visit Khaptad on an average day. The number of visitors shoot up during snowfall, which occurred last time almost three weeks ago on December 29. Although the risk of COVID-19 persist in the district, tourists have been visiting the place to play with snow and enjoy the beauty of the snow-clad hills and meadows, said Hiralal Saun, a local.    

The snowfall has stopped and sunshine makes easier for the tourists to visit the place at noon, Saun said. Due to snowfall, Khaptad, which is also a protected conservation area, has witnessed an increase in cold making it difficult for the locals for outdoor movement. Farmers are, however, elated with snowfall hoping that they can yield good harvest.    

Deepak Bahadur Khadka, a home-stay proprietor at Jhigrana, shared that the snowy view of the hills and meadows here serves as a feast for the eyes to nature and adventure lovers who have to trek to reach here.    

Over 4,000 domestic tourists have visited Khaptad since mid-April last year, the Khaptad National Park Office said. (With inputs from RSS)