Miscellaneous
Promising yet untapped Mid-west
The Mid-western region is home to a plethora of historical, cultural and touristic wonders.The Mid-western region is home to a plethora of historical, cultural and touristic wonders. The region features the deepest lake in the country, Shey-Phoksundo; the largest lake in the country, Rara; the largest valley in Asia, Dang; the land that produces the Marsi paddy, which is not produced anywhere else in the world, among others.
Although rich in all its cultural and natural glories, the mid-west is beset by the lack of infrastructures and its own remoteness, which places the region at the rear end of Nepal’s development index.
Sprawling over 42,378 square kilometres, and home to about 3,546,682 people, according to the census of 2010, the mid-west still largely remains an unexplored land. Although districts like Surkhet—the headquarter of the region—are relatively prosperous, the hilly and mountainous parts of the region are very backward, but that’s where the promises lie.
If only the Mid-west was given the attention it deserves, it could well be developed into a veritable hotspot for tourism.
Featured are vignettes that capture the life and landscapes of the mid-west and are currently on display at Nepal Tourism Board in Bhrikutimandap. The exhibit will continue until Sunday.
Text and photos: Bharat Bandhu Thapa