In the areas where Taplejung, Tehrathum, and Sankhuwasabha meet at the confluence of the three rivers at Milke, 32 to 33 species of rhododendrons can be found. During the rhododendron blooming season in Chaith–Baisakh in the Pathibhara region, there is a notable increase in the number of pilgrims and tourists. The operation of snack houses, homestays, and tea stalls in the areas where rhododendrons bloom has boosted both local income and tourism promotion. The rhododendrons that begin to bloom from Magh have mostly started to shed by the third week of Baisakh. Currently, this festival marks the final phase of the rhododendron flowering period according to the season. Rhododendrons bloom from the third week of Magh in the lowland areas and continue until the second week of Jestha in the hilly and mountainous regions, promoting tourism through natural beauty and generating a new source of income for locals.
As a Himalayan district, Taplejung boasts abundant rhododendrons throughout its forests. Particularly during Chaith–Baisakh, the vivid red rhododendrons increase the attraction for both domestic and international tourists. Devraj Gurung, station manager of Taplejung FM, noted that the establishment of snack houses, homestays, and tea stalls in rhododendron blooming areas has increased local income and promoted tourism. He also highlighted his two decades-long commitment as a media professional to innovating his career by promoting local cultures and home-hosted hospitality.
Displaying a rhododendron plant, Gurung said, “Recently, I have been focusing on protecting rhododendron plants and emphasizing the promotion of domestic tourism. This year’s rhododendron bloom brought about good business. Over a hundred areas here can generate income from rhododendrons. In the past, the lack of gardens around hotels when rhododendrons bloomed was a challenge, but now, we are also focusing on expanding gardens.” Ramesh Rai, program coordinator of the Himalayan Conservation Forum, shared that he has been working on biodiversity in Taplejung for a long time and noted that 22 species of rhododendrons are found in the Pathibhara area.
Indranarayan Shrestha, president of the Pathibhara Region Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, stated that hotels in the Pathibhara area earn substantial income during the rhododendron flowering season. The meeting point of Taplejung, Tehrathum, and Sankhuwasabha, the confluence zone called three-jure jaljale-milke, is regarded as the rhododendron capital, where 32 to 33 species occur. This area is a famous and promising tourist destination in eastern Nepal. As both domestic and international tourists flock here during the rhododendron bloom, Hari Khanal, a hotelier from Chainpur Municipality-1 in Sankhuwasabha, emphasized the need to expand gardens and actively promote tourism activities.
He also mentioned that in Basantpur of Tehrathum, rhododendron juice and liquor are very popular. In Milke, located in Maibakhola, a Rhododendron Park has been constructed. According to hotelier Khanal, the park was built with a budget of 7 million Nepalese rupees from the Ministry of Tourism, featuring diverse structures. Rhododendrons grow in forested areas ranging from 2200 meters to 3500 meters above sea level. Botanist Keshwaraj Rajbhandari explained that Nepal is among the countries richest in biodiversity. Globally, there are 1,157 species of rhododendrons, of which only 33 species are found in Nepal.
Based on the book ‘Rhododendrons of Nepal’ co-authored by botanist Rajbhandari and foreign writer Mark F. Watson, he shared that 33 species of rhododendrons are present in and around the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Rhododendrons are distributed from eastern Nepal to the far west, particularly in mid and high hills and mountainous regions. According to him, about 10 percent of Nepal’s forest area harbors rhododendrons. Besides Nepal, countries with significant rhododendron populations include China, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and Australia.
