Myagdi, 11 Ashoj (Sep 27): A new trekking has been prepared to connect Ghodepani, a famous tourist spot in Annapurna Rural Municipality-6 of Myagdi, through Parbat’s Modi and Jaljala rural villages from the new bridge of Kaski. Thirteen years ago, Nayapul-Moharia-Sarau-Tangle-Bhoomarkot-Falate-Dandaketero-Thamko Dil-Hampal-Jaljala-Mohredanda-Phulbari-Punhil trekking has been put into operation.
Chairman of Parbat-Bhamrakot-Ghodepani Tourism Zone Development Committee, Man Bahadur Khadka, informed that the trekking, which has basic infrastructure, has been operational since Thursday on the occasion of the 45th World Tourism Day. “The Parbat-Bhamrakot-Ghodepani trail has been operated after managing the trails, shelters and places to eat”, he said, “Culture, nature and adventure are the attractions of this trail.”
Khadka said that a 16-kilometer footpath was built from Naya Pul to Hampal, the highest point of the mountain, with the help of Rs.16 millions. The footpath has been constructed by recognizing the stone steps. Besides, 10 resting places have been constructed on the footpath. Provincial Assembly member Bhakta Kunwar said that the Gandaki provincial government has allocated a budget of Rs.3 millions.
Jaljala, which is at a height of 3,610 meters above sea level, has been in operation for about 15 years. This trekking covers ward no. 1, 2, 3 and 5 of Parbat’s Modi Rural Municipality, 5 and 6 of Jaljala Rural Municipality and 6, 7 and 8 of Annapurna Rural Municipality of Myagdi.
Gharbas (homestays) have been operated in Lausibot, Bhuk and Tangle on this trail where you can travel while observing the mountains and mountainous geography. Magar, Gurung, Dalit, Chhetri and Brahmin community’s rituals, culture, lifestyle and life are the attractions of this trail. The forest on this trail, which can be traveled in two nights and three days, is home to various species of herbs, forest produce, and wild animals such as deer. You can also see cattle sheds and you can travel while observing the mountains of Dhawalagiri and Annapurna ranges.
There are tea shops and restaurants and community lodges on the footpath. The Parbat-Bhumarkot-Ghodepani Tourism Zone Development Committee is making arrangements for the tourists who come with prior information. A destination promotion program has been organized on the occasion of the 45th World Tourism Day at the Gandaki state level for footpath promotion.
The event was organized by Taking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAN) Gandaki with the support of Ministry of Industry and Tourism of Gandaki Province, Modi Rural Municipality and Pokhara Tourism Council. Minister of Industry and Tourism of Gandaki Province Mitralal Basyal, Member of Provincial Assembly Bhakta Kunwar, President of Modi Rural Municipality Hiradevi Poudel and representatives of tourism related organizations are participating in the program. Krishna Prasad Acharya, president of TAN Gandaki, said that the team, who trekked from Nayapul on a boat and stayed at Bhuk’s sample community homestay on Thursday evening, will trek from Bhuk to Sarau via Dandakatere-Falame-Bhumarkot-Tangle.
He said that a padayatra has been organized to attract tourists to this trail which connects Nayapul and Ghodepani, an important site of the Annapurna cycle path. President Acharya said that since the old footpaths were displaced due to the road, the stay of tourists coming to Pokhara was shortened, so TAN emphasized on the identification and promotion of new destinations. Since it is close to Pokhara, there is a possibility of tourism development in this area.
Industry and Tourism Minister of Gandaki Province Mitra Lal Basyal said that the migration of rural areas can be stopped by developing tourism. He said that young people who are going abroad can be self-employed by conducting homestay and tourism business, and the arrival of tourists and prolonging their stay will help the national economy.
The provincial government has declared Hampal in Parbat, Kaski near Ghodepani and Munde on the border of Myagdi as satellite destinations of Pokhara. The government and the private sector have shown activity to extend the stay of tourists by identifying auxiliary destinations on the Annapurna cycle path, which is shortened due to the road. Ghodepani, which is known as the main destination of the Annapurna cycle path, used to pass through Pokhrebgar-Ghar-Sikh-Chitre in Myagdi, Nayapul-Ulleri in Kaski, Nagi-Jaljala-Mohre in Myagdi, Ghandruk-Tadapani in Kaski.
