West Champaran: Bihar is increasingly emerging as an attractive destination for tourists from India and abroad, with its natural beauty and historical heritage drawing fresh interest. One of the strongest examples of this growing appeal is the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR), where foreign tourists are now arriving regularly. Located in West Champaran near the Indo-Nepal border, the reserve is known for its green valleys, dense forests, rivers and clean air, offering visitors a peaceful and refreshing experience close to nature.
On Monday, tourists from the United States and Germany visited Valmiki Tiger Reserve and enjoyed a jungle safari. American tourist Stephen Francis and German visitors Frank Vaner Hej and Sally Blender said they had heard a lot about the reserve and were eager to see it for themselves. They were drawn by descriptions of its scenic valleys, wildlife, forests and mountains. After arriving, they found the natural surroundings calm and beautiful, with the clean environment making their visit even more enjoyable.
The foreign tourists said the experience exceeded their expectations. Frank Vaner Hej from Germany described Valmiki Nagar as a place where nature has been preserved well, while also offering good facilities for visitors. During the safari, they were excited to see wildlife up close, walk through lush green forests, visit nearby temples and watch the Gandak river flowing through the landscape. Forest ranger Amit Kumar said the main goal of the forest administration is to ensure that every tourist has a safe and satisfying visit. According to him, tourist comfort and protection of nature remain top priorities.
However, not all tourist destinations in Bihar are seeing the same level of activity. The famous Kesariya Buddhist Stupa, one of the tallest and most important Buddhist sites in the world, has recorded fewer visitors this winter. Usually, the months of November and December bring a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, including Buddhist devotees from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. This year, severe cold weather has reduced tourist movement, although more than 10,000 people have still visited in December so far.
Sitaram Yadav, president of the Mahatma Buddha Seva Sansthan, said the winter tourist season usually provides employment opportunities for local people, including shopkeepers and guides. Due to the cold, however, the expected number of visitors has not arrived yet. Local residents remain hopeful that as the weather becomes milder, tourists from India and abroad will return, bringing life back to the Kesariya Buddhist Stupa and strengthening Bihar’s growing tourism sector.
