Maipokhari Lake

Maipokhari:

 

Maipokhari is another attractive site in Ilam District. From an eco-tourism perspective, Maipokhari possesses some promising potentialities with its religious and archeological values, and its natural beauty. 

Maipokhari, the famous lake in Ilam, lies at an elevation of 2,150 meters. It is located about 11 kilometers from Ilam. Of the important sites of the area, Maipokhari Lake is the major attraction. Its religious value and popularity make it a potential site for eco-tourism development.

Maipokhari is an important watershed area in the region covering around 450 hectares of land, mostly dense forest. Its 2.5 hectares of land exclusive of the pond area has been conserved as natural forest with a proper fence. The forest harbors various valuable species of plants, like ground orchid, white rhododendron and precious NTFPs. The other attraction is the wildlife. The forest of the area has some of the rare animals like musk deer, leopard, porcupine, jackal, rare birds like Khalij, Tibetan duck and some rare insects, which are on the verge of extinction (NTB, 2001). 

Maipokhari has great religious and cultural importance. According to legend Maipokhari is the rendezvous of Shiva and Parvati who visit the place once a year during Kartik Ekadashi. Therefore, people from surrounding villages and distant places come to take a holy dip in the pond. A great fair (mela) takes place once a year on the day of Thuloekadeshi. In terms of existing tourism facilities Maipokhari has electricity, communication, camping grounds, standard and simple tea stalls, seasonal bus service with earthen road, and manmade/natural/cultural/religious attractions. The products that can be added to the area’s tourism products and services by entrepreneurs are regular bus service, bird watching, village tour, boating facility, museums, angling facility, camping site, local guide service, souvenir shop, standard tea stalls, pony riding and mountain biking (NTB, 2001).

Sources of Attractions:
* Maipokhari – holy pilgrimage, religious pond.
* Maipokhari – holy pilgrimage, religious pond.
* Chhange – natural falls.
* Chha Khalde (Six ditches).
* Cultural aspect – Biodiversity