NATURE’S CALL

Nepal government did launch Visit Nepal 2020 without paying attention to improve the condition of public toilet in major cities. Photo: Gabor Monori-Unsplash

By LB THAPA

Many times when we think big, talk big, and hold big ambitions, we ignore some small things of greater importance. Yes, I am talking about mega tourism campaign the country has launched with the onset of January 2020.

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has officially launched ‘Visit Nepal Year-2020’ campaign with a target to bring in two million tourists. The government has also set to promote People & Heritages, Nature & Wildlife, Culture & leisure, Religion & Pilgrimage and Adventure and Outdoor---sounds great!

In these days the government is busy in campaigning about Visit Nepal Year-2020 at home and abroad---in fact, due to increasing threat of coronavirus (COVID-19), the government is mulling over temporarily halting rigorous campaigning of VNY-2020 abroad---we hope, tough time will soon be over and once again the world tourism will prevail with all its strength.

A big budget has also been allocated for promoting Visit Nepal Year 2020. However, the government has completely ignored some small problems that are more pressing and even more urgent. It is of course dire need of public toilets.

The issue of public toilets might sound a small problem for many, including our government, but it is not. Don’t take this problem for granted as many domestic and foreign tourists face this problem every day.

I have spoken with many foreign visitors about their experience in Nepal. When they appreciate many good things about the country, but their experiences about public toilets were extremely bitter. They unequivocally expressed their dissatisfactions about public toilets. At some point in time almost all visitors to Nepal must have experienced of walking foolishly, looking for a place to respond to the nature’s call.

The problem of public toilets does exist in small to big cities throughout the country. There are several places in Kathmandu including Pashupatinath area where tourists find no place to retire. Many tourists are compelled to hold urine for a long time and look for a place to get relieved.   

Pokhara has earned a big name for its natural beauty, trekking destinations and adventure sports. However, when it comes to public toilets, the city is shamefully ill prepared. Walk across the main road of Lakeside, Damside, Mahendra pool, Prithvi Chowk, Bagar and so on. There are no public toilets for the pedestrians. However, there is one public toilet at Mahendra Pool, but it is too dirty.

Foul stench emanating from this toilet is simply unbearable. If you think wearing a mask can save you from such nasty stench. Then you are utterly wrong. You can visit this toilet unless you can hold breath till you are done.  

Many local entrepreneurs want to ask questions with the government that why it has not paid attention to build enough numbers of public toilets in major cities. “There is no meaning of spending so much money on the promotion of Visit Nepal Year 2020, without adequate numbers of public toilets” say many tourism entrepreneurs.  

Many tourists walk around Ganesh Tole, Ram Krishna Tole and so on to see old Newari houses here in Pokhara. These houses are still preserved with all their magnificence and glory. But when the visitors want to retire, there is no public toilet in sight.

The other day I was having a conversation with Jagan Bishwokarma, the owner of Pokhara Mountain Bike Adventure at Lakeside. He told me that how one day one Swedish couple landed at his shop and when he asked them about mountain bikes. They looked very nervous and asked him politely that they actually wanted to use his washroom, as it was urgent. My friend threw a smile at them and with due respect gave them the washroom key.

Many a time it is seen when tourists are compelled to take refuge in a restaurants or hotels. It is not because they are hungry, but because they are unable to take one more step with their filled bladders. Don’t think only tourists face the problem of not finding a public toilet on the roadside. Even local dwellers do face such problem on daily basis in all major cities in the country.  

It sounds extremely ridiculous when government spends a huge amount of money for Visit Nepal 2020 promotion at home and abroad. But virtually not showing any interest to open more public toilets in major cities.

There are so many problems that foreign visitors face in the country. At least, if the government takes a serious initiation to build adequate numbers of public toilets in all major cities, it would be a great relief for the city dwellers in general and foreign visitors in particular.

Thank you very much for reading this article. I hope you liked this article. I will be glad if you take little time and make a comment about this article. Your comment is highly appreciated.

 

LB THAPA is a freelance writer and author.

LEGAL WARNING

All rights reserved. No articles and photos published in this blog can be reproduced without the prior written permission of the author. Legal action will be taken immediately if any articles or photos are reproduced without the author’s knowledge. However, articles or photos can only be reproduced by duly mentioning the author’s name and the blog's name (read2bhappy.blogspot.com). The author must be informed by sending an email. All articles and the photos published in this blog are the copyright property of LB THAPA.