Itahari, Feb 2 (RSS): Chief Minister of State 1 Sherdhan Rai has said that tourism will ensure prosperity in the state. The state government has prioritized tourism for the purpose of prosperity, Rai said.
''We have listed tourism development as a pillar of desired prosperity in our state'', Rai stated while addressing the Koshitappu tourism festival at Kusaha, Sunsari on Sunday. ''We have made target to bring in 500,000 international tourists, mostly Indians, in our state during Visit Nepal Year 2020.''
On the occasion, Chief Minister Rai said the state government was afoot to do everything for the prosperous state.
Speaking at the same function, Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of State 1 Jagdish Prasad Kusiyat said the state has given topmost priority to increase tourists and tourism revenue.
Likewise, Mayor of Koshi Municipality Ayub Ansari said the festival was conceptualized to make footfall of 100,000 domestic and international tourists.
Koshi Municipality is the main organizer of the festival collaborating with Koshitappu Wildlife Reserve. Established in 1976 and spanned over 175 square kilometers of area in three districts of Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur, the wildlife reserve was declared a Ramsar site in 1986. Officials estimate that there are 419 wild buffaloes and 16,012 birds in the only conservation area of the eastern Terai.
