Source::Rss
Hattidah Wetlands, previously a haven for wild elephants, has now become a sought-after destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. Located in Lahan Municipality-15 of Siraha, this five-hectare wetland area near Chureparvat boasts natural and man-made structures amidst a lush green environment, attracting visitors with its peaceful ambiance and pleasant weather. The Hattidah Wetland and Tourist Area, developed by the Koiralo Khola Sample Community Forest User Group, features four ponds, a forest picnic area, and a well-maintained garden that stays verdant year-round, drawing in hundreds of tourists daily.
According to Rudranarayan Chowdhury, Chairman of the Koiralokhola Community Forest and Hattidah Wetland and Tourist Area Protection and Management Committee, the place has become a favorite of tourists in a short span, with up to 300 visitors arriving every day, except on public holidays and Saturdays when the footfall is higher. The committee has also taken measures to make the place more attractive, such as developing physical infrastructure, building a flower garden, a children's park, and various selfie points, providing boating facilities, and even exhibiting protected wild animals like black bears, tigers, dumsi, and rabbits.
Besides the locals, school and college students from nearby districts, including Udaipur, Saptari, and Dhanusha, also frequent the site, and during festivals and the New Year, tourists from neighboring India visit in significant numbers. The development of Hattidah Wetland Tourist Area has received financial assistance from various sources, including the Division Forest Office Sirha, Large Watershed Management Center Koshi Udaipur, President Chure Conservation Program, Lahan Municipality, and former Member of Parliament Pradeep Giri, who allocated Rs. 10 lakhs from his parliamentary fund for building a water tank in the park.
With increasing public interest in Hattidah Wetlands, the local government has also shown a keenness to develop the place further and create jobs for the local youth, thus boosting economic growth. Lahan Municipality head Mahesh Prasad Chaudhary has pledged to provide substantial support for physical development, including the upgrading of the gravel road and the construction of a selfie bridge inside the park. The growth of Hattidah Wetlands as a tourist destination has also led to the expansion of trade and business in the area, with local entrepreneurs like Poshan Saday reaping the benefits.
The committee's chairman, Rudranarayan Chowdhury, has expressed his vision of organizing the place better and elevating its identity by promoting it at the national and international levels. Hattidah Wetlands has emerged as an enchanting tourist attraction, offering visitors a serene retreat amidst nature's bounty._Rss
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