October 31: Domestic and foreign tourists have started arriving in Kanchenjunga region, the home to the third highest peak in the world.    
As a result, tourism entrepreneurs are excited with the arrival of tourists in the Kanchenjunga area, which has been deserted for a long time. Tourism business is the main source of income for the communities in the high mountain settlements such as Kapla, Phale, Ghunsa, Khabajen and Lonak in Phattanglung Rural Municipality-6 of Taplejung.    
Hotel owner Pema Sherpa had thought of changing his profession after arrival of tourists dropped to zero due to COVID-19. But his thoughts have now changed with signs of revival of tourism in the area.    
According to the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council, 52 hotels are operating in the trekking route leading to the base camp of Mount Kanchenjunga.    
Programme assistant coordinator at the council office, Jiten Chemjong, said that four hotels built with an investment of more than Rs 10 million are operating at an altitude of 3,500 meters to 4,500 meters above the sea level. The hotels which had been closed for a long time due to coronavirus pandemic are now full of guests.    
Two paths are used to reach the base camp of Mt Kanchenjunga. Mostly, tourists reach the base camp of Kanchenjunga through Sirijunga Rural Municipality of Taplejung.    
Tourism assistant at Management Council's Yamphudin office, Suryaman Rai said along with foreigners domestic tourists are also arriving to see the Mt Kanchenjunga region through the south route.    
In the fiscal year 2078/79, a total of 359 tourists had entered the Kanchenjunga conservation area of Taplejung. Chief Conservation Officer Ramesh Kumar Yadav said that 222 foreigners, 63 from SAARC countries and 74 domestic tourists have entered the conservation area to observe the natural, religious, historical and tourist sites. In the previous year 2077/78, only 63 tourists had arrived in the region. --  RSS