Parmeshwar Devkota

Potentials of a place can be compared with that of a person. It is because every person has some sort of talent. If a person knows his expertise in time and hones it, then he may not only lead his/her life comfortably but also contribute to his society and ultimately to the nation.

This principle applies to a certain terrestrial part of land which varies with other parts from physical and climate change points of view. Change can be noticed after having looked at flora and fauna, and environmental aspects. For example, if we invest for an apple farm in the mountain region, we can certainly stand to reap the benefit. But if we do the same in the Terai-Madhes, we hardly get the desired profit.

The same analogy can be used to identify the potentials of Dhulikhel in Kavrepalanchowk district. Dhulikhel, a thriving rural town, is situated just 30-kilometre east of Kathmandu on the Arniko Highway. With the availability of good public transportation facilities between Kathmandu and Dhulikhel, it has now become more convenient for travellers to commute between these two cities. The BP Highway links Dhulikhel with Sindhuli, Bardibas and other places in the Terai belt while the Arniko Highway connects Kathmandu to Tibet’s border town of Kodari.

Let me share my feelings about Dhulikhel. As I get off a bus close to Dhulikhel Bazaar, I saw chains of hills, mountains and ridges everywhere. The roadside where I got off the bus had an upward slope. Beyond that, there was a huge down slope with endless jungle. Rows of cultivated and uncultivated terraced field were seen towards the south of the hill. The width of the rows was narrow but the length was exceptionally long. The whole area looked as if it were overturning, moving and receding downwards slowly. At that time, my legs started trembling for fear of falling down from the rim.

But, as I looked up in the skyward, I saw small hill-tops with pine trees as if they were gardens made by Lord Shiva himself. The natural gardens on the hill-tops inspired me to stand firmly on the ground. The wind was blowing smoothly and the sky was partially clear. As I saw far beyond the hills and dales around, I saw a blurred view of snow-capped Himalayan range. Neither could I distinguish them nor my friends. As I consulted a travel book, I gained a vague idea that Annapurna, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Phuribichyachu, Gaurishanker and Lhotse were among them. So, I concluded that Dhulikhel holds the potential to satisfy the needs of adventurers and those interested in culture.

Dhulikhel has long history and legacy. So, it can offer legendary, historical, religious, and manmade products to visitors. The legend of Namo Buddha has connection with a prince and tiger as well as with Lord Buddha. Dhulikhel is either named after a Lichchhi word Dhawalasrotapura or two words from Nepal Bhasha Dhali or Dhau and Khela. Dhau means yogurt and Khela means field in Nepal Bhasha. The complete meaning of Dhau-Khel is that the place where plenty of yogurt is found. The bravery of Dhulikhel residents is recorded in the unification history book.

Dhulikhel lacks perennial water sources, but the diligent and laborious locals under the leadership of visionary leader Bel Prasad Shrestha have managed water from some 16 kilometres away with the support from Germany. The construction of 1,000 steps along a forested hill is another example of co-work by Dhulikhel people.
With its unrivalled terrain, dense forests and other potentialities, Dhulikhel can be developed into an important tourist hub.