In the management of the serene waterfall in the tourist city of Pokhara, known as “Devi’s Falls,” Pokhara-17 has become a popular destination for most tourists visiting Pokhara. Although the main revenue for the area comes from tourism it also contributes to the operation of the local public secondary school.
Around 40% of the total revenue of the serene waterfall goes towards management expenses, while the remaining 60% is used for the salary of the teachers, educational and infrastructural development of the school, as stated by the Chairman of the serene waterfall management committee, Badrinath Pahari.
The monthly expenses for the teachers and staff appointed from private sources in the school amount to 2.5 million Nepalese Rupees. The school currently has around 30 teachers and staff who are funded by the government, while the remaining 70 are financed through private sources, which are supported by the revenue generated from the serene waterfall.
Badrinath Pahari further mentioned that the serene waterfall is now planning to increase the entrance fee for tourists starting from the year 2035. The entrance fee collection is expected to exceed NPR 300 million annually, while the net income after paying the salaries of the school staff will be used for the conservation and development of the serene waterfall.
Surrounded by beautiful landscapes and cultural heritage sites Pokhara-17 is becoming a significant attraction for both domestic and international tourists. Tourists can also visit the nearby Gupteshwar Cave from the inside of the serene waterfall.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists visiting the serene waterfall has increased, according to Resham Khadka, an employee at the ticket counter. He mentioned that Nepali and Indian tourists are currently the most frequent visitors.
The serene waterfall got its name “Devi’s Falls” after a Swiss tourist who disappeared here in 1961. With a 500-meter underground water flow and a depth of a hundred feet, the serene waterfall offers a continuous water flow and is especially attractive to visitors from Jeth to Ashoj (May to October). The surrounding flower gardens, traditional houses, artificial Himalayan views, Buddha’s statue, and pictures of various ethnic groups in their traditional attire also appeal to tourists.
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