Since March, one of Nepals top tourist destinations,Pokhara,has been shrouded in a thick haze of smog, impacting its tourismindustry.
According to iqair.com , an international company that monitors air pollution, the air quality in Pokhara reached an unhealthy level on Tuesday, April 30, with an AQI reading of 199.
Apart from the pollutionaffecting the air quality, there has been a wildfire in Taprang forest, just 27km from Pokhara. The culmination of factors is impacting villages, including Sikles, Kaski and Tangting,which are popular among tourists for their views of the Annapurna mountain range and immersive cultural experiences.
Other tourist attractions in the regionthat have been affected are Mount Machhapuchchhre, Fewa Lake and Pokhara Bazaar.
Paras Gurung, President of Sikles Hotel Management Committee, said the growing wildfire hadmadethe villages tourism situationworse.
Tourism and hospitality businessesare reporting that tourists are leavingearly, deserting their businesses during the busiest tourist season.
Pomnarayan Shrestha, President of the Pokhara Tourism Council, said if the government did not act soon, pollution could haveseriousconsequences for the areas burgeoning tourism industry, reports kathmandupost.com .
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