KATHMANDU: Nepal's federal budget for fiscal year 2083/84 has allocated Rs 7.34 billion for culture and tourism and Rs 2.93 billion for civil aviation, with an extensive slate of infrastructure, heritage conservation, trekking, and airport development measures outlined across both sectors.

Heritage and religious tourism
Major infrastructure development is planned for the historic sites of Tilaurakot, Devdaha, Kapilvastu, and Ramgram. The Greater Lumbini Development Programme has been allocated Rs 830 million.

Janakpur is to be developed and branded as a wedding destination, with funds set aside for upgrading the Ramajanaki Path and Ramajanaki Parikrama road.

A special project will be launched to conserve at least two dozen Buddhist monasteries — many over 200 years old — in high-Himalayan districts including Mustang and Manang.

Efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage listing will be advanced for Tilaurakot in Kapilvastu, Janakpurdham in Dhanusha, and Gokarneshwar in Kathmandu.

Trekking and adventure tourism
The Great Himalayan Trail and other trekking routes are to be developed as strategic corridors. A new high-altitude eco-tourism trail — the Danphe Route — will link Khaptad, Ramroshan, Badimalika, Budhinanda, Rara, Swargadwari, and Muktinath.

New trekking routes are to be opened in the Api Himal, Dordi Himal, Sikhles-Kahupuchhe-Manang, and Tinjure-Pathivara areas. Infrastructure for hill stations in key highland zones will be strengthened, with reliable rescue and emergency arrangements guaranteed for mountaineers and trekkers.

Unnamed peaks above 6,000 metres are to be given official Nepali names and specially marketed for climbing expeditions — opening a new frontier for high-altitude tourism.

Cycling trails
Pilot cycling trails will be tested in mid-hill areas of Gandaki Province, with the Prince Charles Route through Lipeni-Thumkikhot-Bhachok-Lamtari in Kaski district identified as the primary corridor. Additional cycling routes are planned along the Byas-Chhandi-Barahai-Bandipure-Chhimkeshwari-Labdi-Devghat alignment.

Regional tourism corridors
Seven regional tourism corridors are to be promoted: Khaptad-Badimalika-Shuklaphanta; Kankrebihar-Panchkoshi-Rara; Thakurdwar-Swargadwari-Ruru; Devghat-Muktinath-Tilichho; Kalinchowk-Jugal-Gosainkund; Sakhada-Dhanupadham-Gadhimai; and Halesi-Chatra-Pathibhara.

Culture and indigenous heritage
The museum at Kirtipur dedicated to indigenous nationalities is to be expanded. Model homestays targeting dense Dalit communities in Madhesh, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim will be launched to promote traditional skills, arts, and livelihoods of Dalit communities.

Civil aviation
Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu is to receive Rs 1.53 billion for upgrades. The construction modality for Nijgadh International Airport will be finalised within six months.

Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and Pokhara International Airport are to be brought under private sector management. Bharatpur Airport will be expanded to enable night flights, Surkhet Airport upgraded in cooperation with the provincial government, and Talcha Airport in Mugu and Paltiaun Airport in Bajura upgraded as well.