Trade fairs and expositions, which had been halted after the April 25 earthquake and subsequent Tarai unrest and Indian embargo, are back in Chitwan.

Various organisations have taken initiatives to organise such events to boost tourism and economic activity.

Two such events have already taken place, while three more are in the pipeline.

Regional Hotel Association, Chitwan, organized 12th Chitwan Elephant Festival on December 26-30. Many local people and foreign tourists attended the event. “Earthquake and Indian blockade affected the tourism business badly,” said Suman Ghiri, first vice-president of the association.

He said that main objective of event was to promote tourism. “We had expected 100,000 visitors, but received 70,000, which is still satisfying.”

Hotels were largely filled with tourists during the elephant festival. Just two weeks after the conclusion of the elephant festival, third “Khichara Festival” was organized at Khairahani

Higher Secondary School. The

festival was organised by

Tharu Kalyankari Sabha from January 13-17.

The main objective of the event was to preserve the endangered culture and tradition, according to the organiser. “People had to face several troubles due to the earthquake and the Indian embargo,” said Narayan Prasad Mahato, coordinator of Khichara Festival Main Organizing Committee. “The event was organised to bring people together.”

He said about 110,000 people attended the festival.

Ratnanagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry is organising the 8th Ratnanagar Festival from January 28 to February 7. The organiser said around 425 stalls have already been booked and they were expecting 450,000 visitors and more than Rs200 million transactions.

“Considering the energy crisis in the country, we have prioritised alternative energy,” said Gyan Bahadur Bisural, coordinator of the festival. “There will be 15 stalls related to alternative energy. Agriculture and tourism are other areas of focus.”

Right after the conclusion of Ratnanagar festival, National Industrial Exhibition will begin from February 10-14. Chitwan Industries Association is organising the event to promote the industrial goods.

Likewise, Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal, Sauraha, is scheduled to organise Sauraha Food Festival from February

11-15. The organiser said they aim to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

Besides, Nepal Youth Entrepreneurs’ Forum has also started preparations for “Made in Nepal” expo. “The objective of expo is to promote domestic industries,” said Data Ram Ghimire, secretary of the forum.