Myagdi. The locals of Dowa of Annapurna rural municipality-1 have spent around 45 days in the jungle to construct the trekking route.

In course of the construction of trekking route in geographically remote and remote areas far away from the settlement, the locals of Dowa have also mobilized the income generated from the fair in addition to the grants and voluntary donations received from the government bodies.

Annapurna Rural Municipality and Manibaraha Youth Club have jointly constructed the trekking route from Dowa, Patalkharka, Grekakharka, Deuralidanda, Thulokhani, Dhairasir, Guransinikhola, Bhirauto, Surkemela and Haltude areas.

The users’ committee chair Bikas Pun shared that the 4-kilometer 406-metre trekking route was constructed. The Annapurna Rural Municipality has allocated Rs 1 million in the current fiscal year and Manibarahi Youth Club has provided Rs 425,765 for the project.

“We have been involved in the construction of tourism infrastructures with the objective of attracting tourists to Dowa, increasing economic activities in the rural areas and creating employment opportunities,” Pun said, adding, “The trekking route construction is necessary to give continuity to the trekking route linking Sowang Dhuri and Dhaulagiri Icefall to Dowa.” ”

According to Pun, 23 locals of Dowa stayed in jungle for 45 days to construct the trekking route. They have been living in a tent at the construction site as it is far away from the settlement to go to and from their homes. The proceeds from the fair organized by Mani Barahi Youth Club on the occasion of Bada Dashain helped in the construction of the trekking route.

Vice-chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality, Diba Tilija Pun, who visited the trekking route, praised the users’ committee for its work by adding budget from the local youth clubs to the budget allocated by the government in geographically remote and remote areas.

Dilip Garbuja, chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality-1, said that the trail route is being developed as a trekking route by identifying the trail route used by the locals of Dowa in the past.

The Dhaulagiri Icefall trekking route linking Myagdi and Mustang was identified 15 years ago following the construction of Beni-Jomsom road. The trekking route, which starts from Rakhu of Raghuganga rural municipality, connects Lete of Mustang. Work is underway to develop an auxiliary trekking route connecting the main trekking route to nearby settlements.

Ward chair Garbuja said the trekking route is to be connected to Icefal for the development of tourism in Dowa, which has a majority of Magar community. In the high hilly region, one can get a breathtaking view of rhododendron forests, hilly geography and mountain ranges. The people’s representatives have set a target of connecting Dowa to Mustang trekking route via Icefall.