Monday, April 23, 2012

Phaplu- Setopokari trekking Trail for 'The Great Himalayan Trail'

The concept of about 4,500 k.m long and adventure Himalayan journey from Myanmar to Tibet through the high ranges of Asian Himalayan countries Pakistan, India, Bhutan and Nepal is called 'The Great Himalayan Trail'. It has been mentioned in its' planning documents that there will be upper and lower 'Great Himalayan Trail' in which upper for mountain trekking and lower for cultural, ecotourism, wildlife and jungle safari to support local peoples, who are facing directly the problems of climate change and poverty. It may be the longest, most adventure and wonderful trail, which covers all 14 mountains higher than 8,000 m. in the world. The proposed trail starts from Myanmar to end at Barwa of Tibet through the mountain ranges of Arunanchal province of India, Bhutan, Sikkim, Darjeeling and Nepal as well. In the case of Nepal it is expected to take 150 days to complete trekking in this trail and the total length will be around of 1,700 k.m. Kanchanjangga region is the enter point of this trail in Nepal which directly follows through Makalu base camp, Sherpenicol pass (6,235 m.), Amphulapcha pass (5,800 m.), Namchhe, Thame, Tashi Lapcha pass (5,755m), Annapurna region and ends at Darchula district. In the case of Solukhumbu District, after Sherpenicol pass, Setopokhari valley is the enter point and Thame is the ending point of this trail. The major two objectives of this trail are to integrate and promote the Himalayan ranges trekking in Asia and to support to the local peoples of Himalayan range by ecotourism management.

The concept in the first time was developed jointly by an international non governmental organization 'The Mountain Institute' and local trekkers of these regions. Now in collaboration with Trekking Agent Association of Nepal and Nepal Tourism Board, the ministry of tourism of Nepal as a leader organization is implementing a project of this concept namely ' The Great Himalayan Trail Program' funded by SNV and UKaid. The major targeted areas of this project are Humla, Gorkha, Dolpa and Solukhumbu districts. There are also some local partner organizations for this program implementation.

Phaplu- Setopokhari Tourism Trail

From Lukla airport of Solukhumbu, trekker reach Setopokhari valley (around 3,700 m. and which is also the origin place of Saptakoshi the greatest river in Nepal) through Kothe, Naulekh and Merala pass (5,415). After the concept developed of 'The Great Himalayan Trail' this valley is not only the Setopokhari, but also the enter point of the great Himalayan trail in Solukhumbu district. Because the proposed great Himalayan trails enters in this valley through Sherpenicol pass. There are following four alternatives for trekkers to reach in this Setopokhari valley:-

  1. From Lukla through Namche, Tengboche and Mingbola pass (5,817 m.),
  2. From Lukla through Namche, Chhukung and Amphulapcha pass (5,800 m.),
  3. From Tumlingtar through Makalu basecamp and Sherpenicol pass (6,135 m.) and
  4. From Tumlingtar through Tamku, Kenpa and Gaubitta pass (around 3,900 m.).

It is compulsory to pass at least one from aforementioned five peaks Merala, Mingbola, Amphulapcha, Sherpenicol and Gaubitta to come back for the trekkers. In the case of unfortunate snowing, many trekkers have been being rescued by the helicopter. But most of the porters have to face big problems and sometime they die there. However, trekkers go there in every season to submit Mt. Barunje, Mera, Chamlang, Makalu and many more. In the trekking season the valley becomes like a recognized town.

In this situation, it is extremely needed to develop new trekking way through the side of Hunga River (branch of Saptakoshi), which never passes any peaks. If it is developed a new trekking way to reach Muddikhadka of Chheskam from Setopokhari, trekkers can reach Phaplu through Chheskam, Bung, Sotang, Pawai, Deusa, Mukli, Garma and Salleri. They also can go Tumlingtar through Chheskam, Gudel, Bhojpur Dobane or Khotang Lamidada airport through Salpa pass, Dharmapeak, Aiselukharka of Khotang. The name of this trail may be the Phaplu Setopokhari trekking trail. A team of technicians from District Technical Office Salleri and AV news national television have completed their survey work with finding its' possibility in the future.

Need of Phaplu-Setopokhari trekking trail:

After the development of this trail, trekkers who reach there from Lukla and Tumlingtar through Mingbola pass, Merala pass, Amphulapcha pass, Sherpenicol pass and Gubitta pass can easily back through this way to reach Phaplu, Lamidada and Tumlingtar. It creates ecotourism for lower Solukhumbu and local peoples of Khotang, Bhojpur and Sangkhuwasava districts. What are more trekkers, who can not cross these peaks easily, can come through this trail. So in case of snowing, it will be the rescue way for the trekkers. Trekkers can go Everest region if they cross Amphulapchha and can reach Lukla for Kathmandu. In this situation, it will be the round trekking of both cultural and mountaineering in the same time.

But if it is ignored or made delay to develop this trail, trekkers who arrive in Setopokhari valley from Myanmar through the 'Great Himalayan Trail' have to face big problems in this valley specially in the time of snowing. In this situation the Setopokhari Valley will be the Problem Valley for the Great Himalayan Trail. It is therefore the future of The Great Himalayan Trail depends on the Phaplu Setopokhari valley for Makalu Barun National park region. Mainly local peoples from Chheskam are trying to develop this trail by small fund allocated from VDC fund. Other stakeholders of The Great Himalayan Trail are also requested to collaborate with local peoples for this mission.

No comments:

Post a Comment