19 Jestha, Pokhara – On 4 Chaitra 2080 BS, Pokhara was declared the tourism capital in the presence of leaders from all three levels of government. However, none of these governments have introduced substantial programs to establish this status or attract tourists. Since the declaration, no government level has been able to present clear data on tourist numbers, activities, plans, or details of tourist sites.
The Gandaki Province government has yet to provide clear statistics on tourist arrivals. It has announced promotional initiatives aiming to double the number of tourists from India and China within five years. The current fiscal year’s policy and programs include efforts to establish Pokhara as a tourism capital. Next year’s agenda aims to link Pokhara’s branding with major projects and international promotion, setting a goal to double tourist arrivals from India and China within five years.
The policy and programs proposed by the Gandaki Province government for FY 2083/84 appear more distributional and promotional than outcome-driven. Most programs from previous years have been reintroduced with new names, slogans, and goals, but the number of programs with measurable new achievements is limited. Last year’s tourism promotion campaign has been rebranded as the “Let’s Go to Gandaki: Enjoy Nature and Culture” initiative. The expansion of ICT in schools is now termed “Foundation of Digital Gandaki: ICT Infrastructure in Schools,” while youth-targeted programs are presented under the campaign “Next Exit: Youth Development.” Most of these programs continue previous initiatives.
Province Chief Dilliraj Bhatt highlighted while presenting the policy that it appears more focused on distribution and publicity than tangible results. While program names, slogans, and presentations have changed in many sectors—including agriculture, tourism, youth, education, and social services—the fundamental policies and directions remain the same. There is increased use of promotional and campaign-style language across various programs.
In agriculture, the government’s priorities remain unchanged from traditional crops to the agricultural corridor. Existing programs such as indigenous crop preservation, branding and market promotion, good farming practices, organic agriculture, mechanization, production-based subsidies, agricultural corridor development, land banking, land use planning, and the promotion of high-value crops like citrus, coffee, cardamom, apple, and walnut continue. Agricultural insurance also persists as a priority. Soil testing, historically part of every policy cycle, is now incorporated under a new program named “Soil Health Certificate.” Special initiatives are planned to engage youth returning to villages in agricultural entrepreneurship.
Animal health initiatives including veterinary services, vaccination drives, control of livestock diseases, increased milk and meat production, livestock commercialization, and expansion of animal health services remain ongoing. This year, the province has introduced a new “One Health” approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health.
Roads and infrastructure remain focused on continuity. The province government is prioritizing completion of existing development projects over launching new mega infrastructure projects. The strategy emphasizes completing under-construction roads and bridges, including strategic roadways such as the Shaligram Corridor and Korala–Pokhara–Triveni Road, rural road networks, bus park upgrades, and promotion of electric transport.
Long-term priorities focus on road and bridge completion, blacktopping remaining rural roads connecting local government centers, upgrading the Mustang–Dolpa interprovincial road, constructing suspension bridges, and continuing key corridors. There is no clear strategy yet for mega projects like industrial corridors, tunnel routes, new economic centers, smart cities, or large production-based infrastructure.
The policy prioritizes maintenance, road safety audits, upkeep of all roads, and completion of unfinished bridges rather than opening new roads, confirming a strategy to maintain existing infrastructure.
Programs to improve public transportation, bus park enhancements, promotion of electric vehicles, regulation of ride-sharing, and expansion of digital systems in transport services continue from previous years.
Industrial development programs focusing on establishing industries based on local raw materials, increasing exports, public-private partnerships, investment conferences, the ‘Invest Gandaki’ campaign, and business facilitation are ongoing. Although industrial zones at Lokaha Khola and Punditar have been discussed annually, they remain in initial stages.
Religious tourism development is a new priority in the upcoming year’s policy, including the Damodarkund–Muktinath–Devghat–Trivenidham circuit and the Ligligkot–Gorkha–Manakamana pilgrimage route. The government has prioritized specialized health services, Ayurveda, control of non-communicable diseases, mental health, community health service expansion, health workforce production, and institutional strengthening.
Dialysis services will now be offered without waiting lists, as announced. Community-level disease screening, expansion of digital health systems, and strengthening specialist services continue to be priorities.
The government has emphasized ICT-friendly education, innovation in schools, technical and vocational education, skill development, and upgrading Gandaki University into a specialized technical university as part of policies and educational improvement programs. Mother tongue preservation and promotion have been given increased attention this year.
AI, cybersecurity, and STEAM labs are planned priorities for next year. Continuation of the “Learning by Earning, Earning by Learning” program is included. Programmes aimed at attracting youth to agricultural entrepreneurship are specially highlighted with engaging slogans such as “Youth Development and Development of Youth” and “Next Exit: Youth Development.”
Programs with compelling slogans like “One Household: One Tap,” “Riverside Gems: Always Green,” and “One District, One Reservoir” are promoted. The government has stressed household private water connection, expanding irrigation, and establishing maintenance funds.
Good governance initiatives emphasize result-oriented monitoring, real-time monitoring systems, staff performance evaluation, accountability of project managers, and the expansion of digital governance.
