Ostrich farm boosts domestic tourism

Dang: After starting commercial farming of the world’s biggest flightless bird in the country five years ago, Ostrich Nepal, a Rupandehi-based private company has expanded its business to Beljhundi in Dang as well.

The company has leased 80 bighas of land belonging to Nepal Sanskrit University with an intention to branch out and develop the area as a tourist hotspot. The company has been charging Rs 100 per person to view the bird and has arranged 50 percent discount for students.

According to Man Bahadur Darlami, manager of the company, they have been collecting Rs 2,000 to 2,500 per day from ticket sales. “People from various places have started coming here to spend their holidays,” Darlami said. The area is crowded by students and couples on Saturdays.

“The erstwhile unused land has been put to proper use by the company, helping boost domestic tourism and income for the university,” said Jagat Prasad Upadhyaya, vice-chancellor of the university, adding that half of the earnings they receive from the ticket sales can be used for the development of the university. The company has leased the land for Rs 600,000 annually.

Meanwhile, the company has brought in 500 birds and plans to bring in 700 more, said Darlami. He said the birds were brought to Beljhundi only for laying eggs and that they would be transporting the eggs to Rupandehi, where the farm has all necessary machines and a suitable environment, for hatching.

The company said the environment of the area is suitable for Ostrich farming and that it will help local farmers rear the birds if they formed groups.

source:the kathmandu post,21 jan 2014