The Shankarbeli Wetland, located in Ward No. 6 of Ramdhuni Municipality, has recently been emerging as a popular domestic tourist destination. Established 13 years ago, the wetland has been developed into an attractive site through the active efforts of the consumer committee, along with conservation initiatives, cleanliness campaigns, and support from provincial and local governments.
According to former chairperson of the Wetland Management Committee, Ratna Rai, thousands of tourists visit the area daily. During the picnic season, more than 10,000 visitors arrive each day, while in the off-season, the number stands at over 150 daily.
Rai stated that the peak picnic periods are from Kartik to Poush (October–January) and from mid-Baisakh to mid-Jestha (late April to early June). The wetland, conserved by the Shankarbeli Forest Users’ Committee, is considered an ideal destination for both nature-based recreation and picnics.
The area becomes especially attractive in the month of Baisakh when the surrounding siris (Albizia) trees bloom, enhancing its natural beauty and drawing larger crowds of visitors, according to the committee.
With the capacity to accommodate around 110 groups at once, the site is well-suited for picnic activities. Groups are charged fees ranging from NRs 300 to NRs 1,000, which are used for conservation, cleanliness, and management of the wetland.
Spread over approximately 4.5 bighas of land, the wetland has seen infrastructure development funded by NRs 20 million allocated by the Koshi Province government in the fiscal year 2080/81, as shared by committee member Nishchal Tamang.
Additionally, a structure known as the “White House,” built at the center of the pond with financial support of around NRs 150,000 from Ramdhuni Municipality, has further enhanced the site’s appeal. Visitors from Dharan, Itahari, Biratnagar, Jhapa, Udayapur, and even from India frequently visit the wetland.
