Sushila Mahatara, 33, of Hattisar, Thakurbaba Municipality-9, Bardiya, had gone on a jungle walk one day with two tourists from the UK and a helper. When taking guests on a jungle walk, the first priority is to see the leopard.

‘While walking, we came across a rhinoceros after reaching Kalaban Phat, the central area of ​​the park,’ she said. ‘There were no trees to climb. There was no open space to escape. There were only bushes and a narrow space.’ The guests panicked when the rhinoceros tried to attack. In such a situation, Sushila came up with a solution to save the guests. She managed to scare the rhino away by shouting and shouting without using the stick she was carrying, saving the guests’ lives.

She is not the only one in the family who is guiding tourists in this way. Her three sisters are currently busy guiding tourists visiting Bardiya Park. They are the so-called nature guides in Thakurdwara, the tourist center of Bardiya. Along with Sushila, 29-year-old Manju and 24-year-old Ranju are also ‘tourist guides.’ Despite taking risks, they are providing a safe wildlife safari experience to their guests. Their strong willpower is attracting other young girls from the village to the profession of nature showmen. When they go out into the forest, they carry sticks and cameras, including necessary equipment. On the one hand, they explain the features of the park to tourists. On the other hand, they capture the wildlife and natural scenic views seen during the safari on camera and post them on social media. Through which they also attract domestic and foreign tourists.

They have also made a name for themselves as 'wildlife photographers' by posting photos of various species of wildlife found in the park on social media. When Sushila and Manju posted their photos, even tourists who have never been on a jungle safari have started coming to Bardiya for a safari. Sushila said that in this way, it has been 13 years since they have been active in the tourism sector.

‘After passing class 12, I worked in a hotel for 3 years,’ she said, ‘I trained as a nature guide. At first, it was difficult to get guests because I was a female nature guide. It was also difficult to take the guests I got to the forest, and gradually everything became easier as I worked.’ However, she said that even now, she feels like she has just joined this profession. Her father used to work in the elephant reserve of the park. She said that her passion for wildlife has grown since then. She said that her passion for wildlife and the forest made her a nature guide.

Her father retired three years ago after serving as a guide for 25 years. Now, Sushila’s three sisters are engaged in wildlife conservation along with guiding. After studying hotel management, Manju said that she too took training as a nature guide and entered the tourism sector, believing in the work her sister had started. ‘I am satisfied with my nature show profession,’ she said, ‘and my interest in photography has become another identity. I am getting attention on social media.’ Ranju said that she started nature guide two years ago, following in the footsteps of both her sisters. ‘It was difficult to find a job during unemployment,’ she said, ‘I am satisfied with taking domestic and foreign tourists to my own village instead of going out and sweating.’

They said that the family’s financial situation was weak earlier. They said that the financial situation has improved now that all three sisters are earning their living. Ranju said that three of the seven sisters are currently active in the tourism sector. Two of them are studying in Kathmandu and one sister in Pokhara. One has gone abroad for foreign employment. They say that wildlife conservation has provided employment in the village.

According to Manju, they are busy guiding tourists for 9 months of the year. They receive offers to guide tourists from nature guide offices, local hotels, travel agencies and personal emails. Currently, they are providing services such as camping, jungle walks, jungle safaris, river rafting, fishing, cultural tours, and research as per the wishes of tourists.