By Mukunda Subedi, Bardiya, Oct. 7: The Satkhaluwa Lake located nearby Khaireni village of Barbardiya Municipality-7 in Bardiya attracts a lot of tourists every year.

Satkhaluwa is a natural lake located in the buffer zone of Bardiya National Park, five kilometers northeast of Baidi Chowk of the East-West Highway.

The lake, which was in use for fish farming and irrigation previously, has been conserved as a wetland.

The elderly people of the area say that the lake was made from the water pool of seven streams of Chure hill. Thus, the lake was named as Satkhaluwa, which translates to seven streams.  

Satkhaluwa Lake is considered important due to the biodiversity around the lake as wild animals that are elusive in the world including tiger, leopard, spotted deer, boar, pangolin and pythons among others are found in the area.

As the lake is full of water throughout the year, these animals visit the lake to drink water.

One can do boating, hiking, fishing and sightseeing in and around the lake, which is spread in around 40 hectares area.

Due to its environmental beauty, Satkhaluwa Lake holds a huge tourism prospect. Currently, around 10 home-stays are in operation in the Khaireni village.

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