Dhankuta: The historic hill settlement of Kopche in Dhankuta, known since the Rana era, is now ready to welcome visitors.

To signal this readiness, the Kopche Revival Campaign has organized the Kopche Festival in collaboration with Nepal Tourism Board, ICIMOD, Digo Bikas Institute, Community Homestay Network, HUSADEC, and Smart Paani. The revival of Kopche has been made possible through the active involvement of local residents, strong community commitment, and coordination with the Dhankuta Municipality.

During the Sukul Dialogue session held at the festival, local resident Ram Bahadur Shrestha shared that Kopche had begun to empty after government offices relocated. However, in May 2021, villagers came together with a collective decision that “something must be done”, which marked the beginning of transformational change.

He said, “With the united effort of locals, the first Kopche Festival was held in 2021, which restored confidence in the community. That same year, the municipality awarded Upper Kopche for its initiatives. All the houses in this orange-farming region were painted in ‘orange color’ to symbolize identity.” Improved pathways, creative local events, and community-driven development have brought new life to Kopche. According to local youth guide Navin Rai, young people have played a leading role in making Kopche tourist-friendly and developing a welcoming culture.

Shashi Thapa, Ward Member of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Ward 5, visited Kopche as part of an exchange between Kopche and Hadigaun. He said the experience was meaningful, noting that Hadigaun is an ancient town where heritage is being protected alongside modern development. “Just as Hadigaun preserves its myths, stories, and cultural identity to attract visitors, Kopche can learn and apply the same model,” he shared.

NTB Senior Officer Sirjana Nepali stated that the Board is now focusing on quality rather than quantity in tourism promotion. “In partnership with UNDP, we are strengthening the foundations of sustainable tourism,” she said. She noted that Dhankuta is being highlighted as a new immersive destination and was recently promoted at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London.

CHN representative Poonam Gupta added that Dhankuta is now emerging as a travel destination. “Earlier, tourists would only visit Dharan and return; Dhankuta was not seen as a destination. But as its cultural richness, natural beauty, and the capacity of local communities have become recognized, tourist flow has increased. Sustainable tourism requires active community engagement and partnership with local government,” she explained.

Today, Kopche stands as a model of revived heritage through collective identity, cultural restoration, and tourism-centered development. The combination of community leadership, youth involvement, and institutional collaboration has positioned Dhankuta’s “Orange City” to warmly welcome visitors once again.