The Betana wetland site here at Belbari is drawing in more tourists with the initiation of boating facilities at the lake situated at the wetland. 

It is becoming a hit especially with domestic tourists traveling by private vehicles as it is located nearby the East-West highway. The people traveling east and west on the highway on their private vehicles make it a point to stop by the wetland site and enjoy the boating facility. 

President of the Betana Wetland Conservation Committee, Iran Rai said the visitors can also see the rare Mayurpankhi tortoise, the endangered water fowl, the jalkauwa, saras and eagle, among other wildlife at the wetland. 

It is also a famous picnic spot. It is visited by 1,500 domestic and foreign tourists on average on a single day on special festivals or the New Year Day or for picnic, the records maintained by the Committee shows. 

Meanwhile, the Committee has also added an attraction to the site, a clouded leopard, an endangered species of wild cat, for the tourists. The leopard was brought for protection and was provided by the District Forest Office, Morang. RSS