Kakarvitta Reopens for Third-Country Tourists After Four Years

The major transit point of Kakarvitta in eastern Nepal has reopened for tourists from third countries after being closed for four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This significant development marks the resumption of international tourism through the Nepal-India border in Jhapa district.

Mohan Pariyar, Chief of the Immigration Office in Kakarvitta, confirmed the reopening. “We have been informed by the Indian side about the reopening from August 1. Since then, people from third countries have started arriving here via India, and departures from Nepal have also commenced,” he said.

The closure of the transit point had been a point of concern for tourism entrepreneurs, as it significantly impacted the flow of international tourists. Although Nepal had lifted restrictions on foreign tourists earlier, reservations from the Indian side had delayed the reopening of the border.

With the resumption of transit through Kakarvitta, tourists from over a dozen countries, including the UK, the US, and Switzerland, have already started entering Nepal via India. The reciprocal movement of tourists from Nepal to these third countries has also begun.

Tourism stakeholders have welcomed this development, expressing optimism for the revival of the tourism sector in eastern Nepal. The reopening is expected to boost local economies and strengthen the tourism industry, which has been struggling due to the prolonged border closure.

The reopening of Kakarvitta as a major transit point underscores the efforts to restore normalcy and facilitate international travel, providing a vital link for tourists seeking to explore the natural and cultural beauty of Nepal.