By Kokila Dhakal
Ilam, Apr. 10: The ‘Kechana Kanchenjunga Tourism and Film Festival 2078’ began in Ilam, Friday. It was inaugurated by Chairman of the former Constituent Assembly Subas Nembang.
Incorporating the areas that lie along the Mechi Corridor in the districts of Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung, the festival’s inauguration ceremony featured cultural performances representing the Tamang, Sherpa, Rai, Limbu, Magar, Newar and other communities of eastern Nepal.

Speaking on the occasion, Nembang hoped that the festival would provide some relief to the tourism sector which has been knocked down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also called for the Mechi Corridor to be developed as a main tourist hub by promoting it as the main route into the Kanchenjunga region and the entry point for tourists coming from countries like Bangladesh and Bhutan via Sikkim and Darjeeling of India.

Nembang also stressed on the need to develop all the tourist sites from Kechana, one of the lowest points in the country, to Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world.
Krishna Shah, member of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), noted the need to construct foot trails. “We need to have trails connecting Mangamalung to the high altitude areas where the Red Pandas live. The NTB is also ready to extend the necessary support for this,” he said.

The tourism fair will be held at the Thulo Tundikhel of Ilam and will continue till April 15.