Sutaiya Tal, located in Baijanath rural municipality-3, Banke district, is quickly becoming a popular destination for local visitors. The lake, located about six kilometers north of Kohalpur town, has spectacular natural beauty and is ideal for picnics, animal watching, and quiet strolls. It is situated on the Ratna Highway, the key highway linking Surkhet. It makes it easily accessible to travelers.
Sutaiya Tal is surrounded by thick woodland offering a quiet atmosphere for nature enthusiasts. It covers seven hectares of land. Visitors may go on short forest safaris and see numerous animal species such as the Royal Bengal Tiger, deer, and boar in the vicinity. The lake is also a popular bird-watching area, which adds to its attractiveness as a wildlife attraction.
For the last decade, the Deurali Janaashrit Buffer Community Forest Users’ Group has taken charge of protecting and promoting the lake. According to Mahendra Tharu, previous president of the association, Sutaiya Tal has lately gained popularity among local visitors due to its attractive position and importance for animal observation.
Because of a lack of funding, despite the lake’s high potential for eco-tourism, it has made it difficult to increase infrastructure and services. Prakash Bahadur Shahi, chairperson of Baijanath Rural Municipality, stated that the local administration has allocated money annually to encourage the lake’s growth. Plans are in place to construct a dam to protect the lake. Further cooperation from the provincial and federal governments is required to optimize the lake’s tourism value.
Shahi emphasized that promoting eco-tourism in the area could significantly benefit the local economy. It provides income opportunities for locals and boosts the municipality’s revenue.
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Image source: Dursan char
