Imamnagar, Dec 14: In a proactive move to curb wildlife poaching, enhance environmental awareness, and promote tourism, a team from the Nepali Army has embarked on a one-day expedition to the Chure Mountain, situated under the Banke National Park. The mission, led by Sri No. 4 Bahini Adda Imamnagar Barracks and accompanied by the Arjunwan Gana for wildlife protection, aims to patrol the Chure region three times a day.

Ashok Khadka, the Ganapati chief soldier of the Gana, emphasized the importance of regular patrols to control poaching, stating, “Even before this, we used to have regular patrols. But this time, we have organized a one-day trip to inform other soldiers who have not been to that area about Chure tourism promotion and the environment.”

Chief Senani Khadka highlighted that understanding the park’s terrain and assessing how tourists can access it is integral to their responsibilities. “Promoting the tourism of Banke National Park is also the responsibility of the army,” he asserted. The team conducted an on-site study of the tourist areas during the expedition.

The park, extending into the lands of Dang, Salyan, and Bardia, boasts numerous grasslands. The military team from Mr. No. 4 Bahini Adda Imamnagar Barracks, including Bahinipati Assistant Rathi Prakash Thapa, Chief Soldier Rojesh Khatri, Chief Soldier Deepak Gurung, and Ganapati Chief Soldier Ashok Khadka of Arjunwan Gana, explored various sections of the park.

During the expedition, army officials inspected watering holes used by tigers and other wild animals. The team also contributed to the park’s upkeep by constructing a new ‘fire line’ and gathering information on cleanliness measures. Krishna Chaudhary, a tourism businessman accompanying the team, highlighted the popularity of the Chure mountain range for one-day trekking. “Tourists feel that they have climbed a mountain while trekking in Chure,” he added.

Businesses facilitating Chure mountain range travel have implemented a fee structure of Rs 1,000 for Nepali citizens and Rs 1,000 for foreign tourists, further supporting the sustainable development of tourism in the region.