Dhanusha, Feb 5: Indo-Nepal Summit aiming to promote religious tourism concluded in Janakpur.
The event jointly organised by the Consulate General of India, Birgunj and the Janakpurdham Chamber of commerce and Industry concluded underlining the need of introduction and implementation of clear policies, plans and programmes to promote religious tourism in Nepal.
The participants were of the view that a rise in tourist arrivals in Nepal from India and the enhancement of tourism industry here would help further strengthen the relations between Nepal and India, alleviate poverty and increase income generations.
On the occasion, Madhesh Province Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh said Nepal and India have religious and cultural similarities and such features have led to the promotion of religious tourism industry in both countries.
He pressed the need of encouraging Indian tourists arriving to visit the Janaki Temple in Janakpur to visit other religious destinations in the country as well. He pointed out the necessity of more efforts for the same. He proposed the idea of connecting Kathmandu, Lumbini and Pokhara with the Ramayan Circuit. He said the province government has come with the plan to conserve the Dugdhamati River to further explore the significance of Ramayana Circuit.
Stating that a large number of religious tourists from Nepal reach Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Babadham and Benaras of India, contributing significantly to the India’s economy.
Consulate General of India, Birgunj Consul General Devi Sahai Meena talked about the similar religious and cultural relations between Nepal and India and tourists wish to visit religious sites in both countries.
The event was coordinated by the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce State Development Council.
Consular General Meena said that both countries needed to carry out works seriously for facilitating the tourists. According to her, every Indian tourist wanted to visit Janakpurdham, Pashupatinath, Lumbini, Pokhara and other places in Nepal and the Nepali tourists also liked to visit the religious places in India.
Vice Chairman of Madhes Province Policy and Planning Commission, Dr Sohan Kumar Saha and former vice chair duo Dr Haribansha Jha and Dr Bhogendra Thakur said that the government of both countries should develop a common strategy and carry out works accordingly for the promotion of the Ramayana Circuit and the Nepal-India tourism.
They argued that connecting the Madhes Province with the tourists from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh of India would contribute in a big way in the development of this region. Secretary of Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce State Development Council, Atul Kumar Thakur said that the programme has been organized for the promotion of tourism in both countries.
President of Janakpurdham Chamber of Commerce and Industries Surendra Bhandari said it is necessary for the governments in both countries to the development of additional infrastructures for the promotion of the Ramayana Circuit.
President of Marwadi Service Committee Janakpurdham and central member of Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Nirmal Chaudhary, former mayor of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City, Bajaranga Prasad Saha, Chamber of Commerce Madhes Province president Abhisek Chaudhary, culture expert Ramesh Ranjan Jha and Sunil Mallik, Chair of Greater Janakpur Area Development Council, Shital Saha and Satish Patuwal spoke on various facets of the Ramayana Circuit and tourism potentials.
