Myagdi, Sept 1: Home stay service has been launched in Pakhathar of the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve that straddles East Rukum, Baglung and Myagdi districts.    

Pakhathar has been identified as the new tourism destination and infrastructures are being developed accordingly with the support of the Gandaki provincial government's the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment.    

Home stay services have been started at six houses with a capacity to accommodate 120 visitors, according to Jeevan Kumar Pun, the Secretary of Dhorpatan Tourism Promotion Organisation. He said a trekking route has also been constructed from Pakhathar to Kiteni via Kadekodanda.    

"We have increased the home stay capacity and also working to further promote tourism identifying new tourism destinations to lengthen the tourist stay here," Pun added.

The home stay accommodation capacity has been increased and tourism infrastructures constructed at an investment of Rs 1.2 million under the 'One Election Constituency-One Model Home Stay' programme of the Gandaki provincial government.    

According to Pun, sign posts have been put up at different locations and the route improved by constructing stone steps along the trekking route at risky places. Rooms have been set aside for tourists in the traditional wooden houses.   

The visitors are offered various delicacies prepared from organically produced local millet, buckwheat dhindo, potatoes, mushroom and green veggies as well as a variety of milk products. They are also served local chicken and mutton.  

The 29 hotels and home stay facilities operated inside the Hunting Reserve can accommodate 300 visitors daily.