Exploring Panitar, Ilam – A 3-Day Field Experience as a Civil Engineer

Presenting about Panitar in Hotel G Ramayana, Kathmandu 

In 2025, I had the opportunity to participate in the Tourism Project Showcase (TOPS) organized by Alison Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. Along with my teammates, we selected Panitar, Ilam as our project site for a unique and sustainable tourism development idea.

As a Civil Engineering student, this was a great chance to apply what I had learned in class—subjects like Surveying, Planning & Management, and Rural Infrastructure Development—to a real-world context.

 3-Day Field Visit to Panitar

We conducted a 3-day field visit to Panitar and surrounding areas of Deumai Municipality. Using the SW Maps mobile app, we mapped the site and did a basic topographical survey to understand land slope, terrain, access roads, and existing land use patterns.

During our fieldwork, we met:

Mr. Phurba Tamang, former Ward Chairperson, who gave us detailed information about government land, community-shared land (Puwwamai), and privately owned land.

Mr. Yogen Dahal, a respected youth leader from Mangalbare, who introduced us to nearby tourism spots such as Gufa Thumki and Patenagi, and shared valuable local insights.

Engineer Damodar Karki, from Deumai Municipality, who gave us guidance on the engineering and commercial feasibility of tourism infrastructure in the area. He also explained the importance of SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) in project planning.

From our meeting with Er. Damodar Karki, we learned how to assess a location through SWOT Analysis:

1. Strengths: Natural beauty, peaceful village life, tea culture

2. Weaknesses: Lack of infrastructure, poor road access

3. Opportunities: Tea tourism, organic farming, homestay development

4. Threats: Land fragmentation, urban migration, unmanaged growth

This helped us visualize the site not just from a tourist’s point of view, but also from an engineering and sustainability perspective.

Project Vision: Beyond The Brew

Our project titled “Panitar Tea Village: Beyond The Brew” aimed to bring tourism and local livelihood together. The core ideas were:

1. A transparent tea processing plant where visitors can experience tea making live

2. Agro-tourism experience, where guests pick vegetables and fruits, cook, and eat organic meals

3. Exploration of nearby spots like Gufa Thumki and Patenagi

4. Community-managed homestays and rhododendron plantations for beautification

5. Zoning and land use planning for sustainable infrastructure

We tried to integrate local resources, civil engineering knowledge, and community involvement into a unified plan.

Sharing Ground Reality in Kathmandu

After the field visit, we returned to Kathmandu with strong motivation. We met with former tourism ministers and stakeholders and shared real stories, field data, and challenges of Panitar. I, Ganesh Chapagain, personally shared how engineering students like us can support grassroots-level development if given the right exposure and mentorship.

 Final Thoughts

Panitar is not just a village—it’s a place full of culture, beauty, and potential. This project showed me how technical education, local knowledge, and sustainable ideas can come together to create a positive impact.

As a student of Civil Engineering, this experience helped me understand the real meaning of planning, survey, feasibility, and community interaction. I believe Panitar can be a model destination for rural tourism in Nepal—if planned well, and developed with heart.

Written by: Ganesh Chapagain (Civil Engineer)

Graduated from Khwopa Engineering College (KhEC), Bhaktapur.

Presentation During Top 10 selection ( Nepal Mountain Academy)

Ganesh Chapagain (Explaining About Panitar) 

Panitar Ilam Tea Garden 

Sachin Chaurasiya ( Panitar Ilam) 

Panitar Tea Garden 

Tourism Project Showcase - Koshi 2025 ( Exhibition Hall & Event Hall ) 

About Author: 

Ganesh Chapagain is a passionate Civil Engineering student from Khwopa Engineering College, Bhaktapur. With a keen interest in sustainable development, rural tourism, and practical fieldwork, he actively participates in national competitions and research-based projects. Ganesh believes in learning beyond textbooks and aims to contribute to Nepal’s future through innovation, engineering, and community engagement.