Ilam is a small hilly district, which is located in Eastern Development Region of Nepal with an area of 1703 sq. km. extending from 260.40′ to 270.8′ north latitude and 870.40′ to 880.10′ east longitude. The altitude of this district ranges from 250 meter to 3636 meter above from the sea level. Ilam is charming because it is unspoiled by modernity, pollution and urban bustle. Ilam is multicultural district. Ilam is very rich in terms of natural, cultural and environmental perspective. Ilam has various nature resources, greeny forests, rivers, lakes, mountains, holy sites, tea gardens and hospitable people. Being these all assets, Ilam can provide an ecotourism destination for the nature lovers.Concept of Ecotourism In general, Ecotourism is the best available option to develop tourism product with minimum of negative impacts, which is instrumental in opening an access to new and virgin natural regions but steered with an objective to conserve vegetation, its habitant and also by developing linkages to bring forth the welfare and well being of local residents.
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Ecotourism focuses on local culture, it is typically defined as travel to destination where the flora fauna and cultural heritage are the primary attraction. In recent years many developed and developing countries have been adopting ecotourism as a means of economic development and sustainable growth. Since ecotourism is related with nature travel in rural remote and protected areas. The varied natural resources, diversity of geographic belts, the uniquences of physical features, the small greenery hills have made Ilam useful and attractive destination to ecotourists. Ilam: A Touristic Destination Ilam has its own scope for tourism development. The fundamental attraction of tourism in Ilam are natural sceneries, pleasing weather, short trekking routes, tea estates, small hills with greeny forest, snowcapped mountains and hospitable people. Being these attractions Ilam has strong potentiality for development of ecotourism. Apart from the natural beauty, this is a region of ethnic diversity and cultural heritage. Maipokhari, Pathibhara, Gajurmukhi, Singhabahini etc are famous for religious destination for pilgrimage tourists. Different ethnic communities like limbu, Rai, Gurung, Tamang, Magar, Sherpa, Newar, give their different cultural tastes. The rare lapcha, one of the tribal group of Nepal, their cultural museam also attracts the tourist, Ilam is the homeland of Lepchas’. Ilam offers some of the most usual and delightful trekking. Tourist who come to Ilam can make their tour more exciting and pleasant through such trekking. The following routes are most potential for trekkers, which also help to develop ecotourism in those areas.Ilam to Sandakpur: Sandakpur is situated at an altitude of 3636 meter above from the sea level. So, the area is often snow covered. Its height and slope provide opportunities for skiing. Due to its height, the site offers some spectacular sunrise and sunset views. It also offers view of mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchanjunga, Mt. Makalu and some of the world’s highest mountains. Rather than cultural and historical aspects its natural aspect seems highly promising for ecotourism development in this area. The area is also important for flora and fauna. Red panda, a rare animal species are also found there. From Ilam bazaar bus services are not regular. So, tourists can use private vehicles that take them to Khorsanitar of Maimajhuwa, about 21km north from Ilam bazaar, from there Sandakpur is about six hour trek.Ilam to Maipokhari Maipokhari processes religious, archeological and touristic value for the promotion Ilam as a model ecotourism center. Maiokhari, the famous lake with nine angular points which covers an area of 1.6 hectors. Maipokhari lies at an elevation of 2150 meter above the sea level. It is an important watershed area. The forest around Maipokhari harbors various valuable species of plants, like ground orchid, white rhododendron and various diversity in wild animals. Maipokhari has great religious and cultural importance. So, its religious value and popularity make it a potential site for ecotourism development. Maipokhari is located about 11km north from Ilam bazaar. Foot trekkers can get enjoy by viewing enchanting views of ‘Jasbire Bhanjyang’ which lies in the way to Maipokhari. Maipokhari is about 4 hours by foot from Ilam.Ilam to Antudanda Antudanda (Dipendra Shikar) is located about 35 km east from Ilam bazaar. Antudanda is famous for the views of the Himalayas, the best view point of sunrise and sunset. Antudanda lies at an elevation of 1627meter is Samallung VDC. Antudanda is an hour drive from Pashupatinagar and about 3 hours drive from Ilam bazaar. Home stay facilities available at Antu region, village tourism is in growing phase in this area. Rare hepcha a ethnic group and their culture can also view in Antu. Antu pokhari, tea estates are next attraction of Antu. Mountain biking, pony riding, camping sites angling, boating, rock climbing village tour bird watching, skiing and paragliding area possible tourism products that can be developed in the area, which help to promote ecotourism in Ilam. Ilam to Gajurmukhi The major attraction of Gajurmukhi is a cave with carved images of gods and goddesses. The cave is about 20 feet long and 10 feet height. Its important is most from a religious perspective. It is on the bank of Deumai river. Gajurmukhi is 4 hour drive from Ilam bazaar and enhancing the trekking route from Ilam through Mangalbare and Dhuseni, it takes about 6-7 hours by foot. Gajurmukhi is one of the famous place of pilgrimage. Ilam to Siddithumka It lies at an elevation of 1800 meter west of Ilam bazaar. Siddithumka is ideal for a short trek and for panoramic views of the mountains and plains wrought in the colors of sunset and sunrise. It is a 4 hour trek to reach Siddithunka from Ilam bazaar. ‘Ratna Gufa’ is another attraction of Siddithumka.Ilam to Pathibhara Pathibhara of Ilam is believed to be the younger sister of Pathibhara Devi of Taplejung Pathibhara is an important site from a religions and cultural viewpoint. The Pathibhara temple is closed to the mechi Highway in the south east of Kolbung VDC. It has an easy road access to it.Ilam to Chhintapu At an altitude of 3400 meter above the sea level, Chhintapu ranks the second highest peak in Ilam district. The area is famous for various types of rhodedendron. Aboutt 11 varieties of rhododendron are found in this area. It is also famous for herbal plants and various species of birds. It is close to Maipokhari, a trek from Maipokhari to Chhintapu via deurali and Maipatal will take only Six hours walk. This area has great potential for the development of ecotourism. Kanyan and Fikkal Bazaar Ilam has 144 year history of tea farming Kanyan tea estate is the largest one. The existing products at the Kanyan and Fikkal bazaar are natural attraction. Kanyan is popular among tourists for picnicking sight seeing and taking photographs. The area is accessible by a black topped read linking to Ilam, Fikkel and Kanyan. Panitar of Mangalbare, Chilinkot, Soktim, Ilam are major tea estates of Ilam, they decorated Ilam as a bride ‘Todke Jharna’ is another attraction of Ilam which is in Maimajhuwa VDC which lies about 20 km north from Ilam bazaar.Recommendation for ecotourism development in Ilam Ilam has various touristic assets but it is lagging behind the publicity throughout the national as well as international level. There is necessity of intensive desire of government, local peoples, statkeholders to promote ecotourism in Ilam. Proper plans, policies and programs should be made in this regards. · There is possibility to develop charali – Ilam part of the mechi Highway as a ‘Sightseeing Highway.’ Both side of the road provide a magnificent view where we can observe the enchanting views of orchid, colorful flowers, tea estates, small greenery hills etc. Proper plan should be made for develop this part as a model highway, which obviously help to promote the tourist products of Ilam.· For the development of ecotourism there should be an ariport in Ilam.· To make Ilam a famous tourist destination and develop Ilam as a model ecotourism center, Ilam needs a tourism information center.· Ilam offers an excellent gateway for the trekkers. So there need to be reconstructed and added the trekking routes.· Ilam has cultural diversity, for the conservation and promotion of cultural values there need to be established cultural museam.· Antu Danda, Sandakpur and Sidithunka are famous for the spectacular view of sunrise and sunset. These places may attract the handsome number of tourists if they published properly.·
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Pilgrimage sites of Ilam like Maipokhari, Gajurmukhi, Pathibhara, Singhabahini and other temples inside the
Ilam Municipality increase the religious values of Ilam should be promoted to increase the volume of tourist as well as enhance.the religious values of Ilam. · Numbers of resorts and view tours can be built in various central parts of tea gardens in different places to lure handsome numbers of tourists from national as well as international level.Conclusion Tourism is said to be hen that lays golden eggs. Ecotourism has immense potential to help the global fight against poverty. A WTO initiated study concluded that in developing countries tourism is almost universally the leading source of economic growth, foreign exchange and job creation. Tourism industry can be easily set up because no heavy expenses are made while starting it For developing ecotourism many resources are available in Ilam. Ilam is the first choice for those people who want to know about cultural heritage, religion, customs and model agro tourism as well as village tourism. Ilam itself is decorated by nature. Ilam offers a high value of ecotourism in terms of the natural cultural and scenic attributes. There are ample opportunities that Ilam could present itself as a model ecotourism site. Because of its location, enchanting views, best weather, hospitable people diversity in flora and fauna and good access, Ilam has becomes the base for promote the best tourist destination Although, these positive aspects, there are some constraints to further development of ecotourism in Ilam, such constraints are poor transportation and communication facilities, lack of manpower, lack of marketing and lack of willingness etc. The future of ecotourism in Ilam is found to be very optimistic. There are so many potential ecotourism site in Ilam which are waiting for further development and promotion throughout the national as well as international area.
