River Guides of Panbang

RGP, the River Guides of Panbang is the first Community base eco-tourism company which initially started with Bhutan Foundation on 22nd November 2012, aims to work for the preservation of the rich biodiversity under the corridor of Royal Manas National Park and also develop eco-tourism activities in the community. The association or group further aims to work with the periphery communities at different level for the protection of RMNP and promote swap means of livelihood to develop the local economy.
It is the sole ideas of the eleven young entrepreneurs of the valley who formed the company. We took the advantage of the two mighty rivers passing through our valley that provides abundance of life to all living being. Being here, we noticed drastically increased in coming Indian tourist from nearby border towns just to see views other than that we don’t have any other tourism infrastructure that Panbang requires presently. Since Panbang is under the corridor of Royal Manas National Park which covers almost all the four geogs of the dungkhag and their presence further gives us strength in building the capacity of Eco-tourism. Indeed, we are fortunate to be very close with intact forest cover which provides home for varieties of beautiful orchids, endangered golden langur , gigantic Asian elephant, distinct of cat families which profoundly includes cute Bengal tigers and many more. Therefore RMNP even promised with us to work closely and support the group initially to promote the eco-tourism as a mean to check and balance the eco-system
We have seen some interesting documentary films like one in “Tigers in Bhutan” in which the filming crew were easily transported themselves on this two mighty river using only rubber boats. Through this evidence in video and seeing our local people getting chance to travel on such rubber boat sometimes in real scenes with the help of Royal Manas National Park (RMNP) staff really encourage us to take up these rafting ventures. It’s totally for recreational and it is also an income indicator to our community. Therefore, we the young entrepreneur of this valley came forward to form one such association on rafting unit under our many plans particularly in eco- tourism. And in the meantime we are closely trying to work with Bhutan Foundation for the possible arrangements