Nawada: The Bihar government has selected Kakolat Waterfall in Nawada district under the Chief Minister Homestay Promotion Scheme, an initiative aimed at promoting community-based tourism and generating local employment.
Under the scheme, homestay units will be developed within a five-kilometre radius of the waterfall, allowing visitors to stay with local families instead of conventional hotels. Officials said the initiative is intended to showcase the region’s culture, cuisine and hospitality while creating new livelihood opportunities for residents.
Financial Assistance of up to Rs 10 Lakh
According to the scheme, each approved homestay unit will be eligible for financial assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Women and young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 25 will receive an additional incentive of Rs 1 lakh. Self-help groups will also be eligible to participate in the programme.
Interested applicants will be required to seek approval from the concerned department before establishing homestay units. Detailed operational guidelines are yet to be issued by the state government.
Areas Around Kakolat Identified
Officials said homestays are expected to be developed in areas within a five-kilometre radius of Kakolat Waterfall in Govindpur block.
The proposed locations include Thali Mor, Garandi, Ekatara, Sughdi, Jaynagar and the area around Kabir Math, subject to departmental approval and the final guidelines.
Focus on Community-Based Tourism
The initiative seeks to encourage visitors to experience local traditions and rural life while increasing income opportunities for residents.
Officials said the scheme is expected to strengthen tourism-linked entrepreneurship and contribute to the local economy.
“Kakolat Waterfall has been selected as a tourist destination in Nawada under the Chief Minister’s Homestay Promotion Scheme. Departmental guidelines regarding this are currently awaited,” said Shreshtha Kumar Krishna, Divisional Forest Officer, Nawada.
Kakolat Remains a Major Tourist Attraction
Often referred to as the “Kashmir of Bihar”, Kakolat Waterfall attracts large numbers of visitors during the summer months.
In August 2024, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated several projects to improve tourist facilities at the site. The waterfall continues to draw visitors from across Bihar and neighbouring states, particularly between March and August.
Three Reservoirs Selected for Eco-Tourism
Separately, the state government has selected three reservoirs in Nawada district for eco-tourism development as part of a wider plan covering 29 reservoirs across Bihar.
The selected sites are Fulwariya Reservoir in Rajauli, Kol Mahadev Reservoir in Govindpur and Jab Reservoir in Rajauli.
According to the Divisional Forest Officer, the projects will be developed through collaboration between the government and private investors, with plans to create tourism infrastructure and visitor amenities at each location.
