Api Himal tourism festival kicks off in Darchula
The three-day Api Himal tourism festival in Darchula aims to boost the local economy and highlight climate change impacts, with Minister Sasmit Pokharel attending.
Darchula’s Api Himal Rural Municipality has launched a three-day tourism festival aimed at boosting the local economy and promoting the region as a premier destination in Sudurpashchim Province. The event, which began on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, features a mix of cultural, sporting, and environmental activities, according to reports from Tourism Face and Annapurna Post.
Promoting local growth
The festival aims to draw 10,000 visitors to the region, according to Rural Municipality Chairman Bhaktasingh Thekare Bohara. Officials believe that by showcasing the area’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, the municipality can create new employment opportunities and stimulate the rural economy. Tourism Face reported that the event includes literary symposiums, cultural performances, and wellness-focused yoga and meditation camps to position the region as a hub for wellness tourism.
Sports also play a significant role in the festival's agenda. Annapurna Post noted that the municipality has organized friendly cricket and volleyball matches, with the cricket tournament specifically held at the Api Himal Base Camp to highlight the potential for high-altitude adventure sports.
Environmental focus
Beyond tourism, the festival serves as a platform to address climate change. On the final day, the municipality has scheduled a dialogue on the environmental challenges facing Nepal’s high-altitude regions. According to Chief Administrative Officer Lokendra Bahadur Bista, the discussion is intended to draw international attention to the impacts of climate change on the Himalayas, particularly ahead of upcoming international climate conferences.
Official attendance
While the municipality initially extended an invitation to Prime Minister Balendra Shah to serve as the chief guest, he will not be attending. Annapurna Post reported that the Prime Minister’s secretariat confirmed he would be unable to participate due to his busy schedule. Instead, Minister for Education Sasmit Pokharel is expected to represent the federal government at the event. Other notable guests include the Chief Minister of Sudurpashchim Province, Khagaraj Bhatta, along with various provincial officials.
The festival is managed by an organizing committee led by Chairman Bohara, with an estimated budget of Rs 3.5 million. While the municipality has invited various dignitaries, other attendees are expected to cover their own travel expenses to reach the base camp. Local observers, such as former Nepal Journalists Federation Darchula chapter president Shankar Singh Dhami, have emphasized that the success of the festival depends on ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach the local community and that the region's natural and cultural assets are protected.