Survey Conducted to Expand Communication and Electricity Services at Annapurna Base Camp

Myagdi. A survey has been conducted to expand communication and electricity facilities at the Annapurna Base Camp in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi, which is being developed as a new tourist destination.

A team comprising technicians from Nepal Telecom and the Electricity Authority, along with local consumers, led by Kapil Pandey, Chief Administrative Officer of Annapurna Rural Municipality, returned this week after surveying the base camp located at an altitude of 4,050 meters.

Last month, a delegation led by Annapurna Rural Municipality Chairman Bharat Kumar Pun, including Myagdi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Subin Shrestha and Tej Gurung, an advocate for the Maurice Herzog trail connecting to the Annapurna Base Camp, submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and the Ministry of Energy in Kathmandu regarding the expansion of communication and electricity services.

Chairman Pun of the Rural Municipality stated that efforts are being made to eliminate the problems faced at the Annapurna Base Camp, which receives thousands of tourists annually, due to the lack of communication and electricity, and to expand communication facilities, including electricity and 4G network service.

Approximately 20,000 people visited the Annapurna Base Camp during the last autumn season. Chairman Pun mentioned that communication and electricity are the top priorities because the absence of communication facilities makes rescue operations for stranded tourists difficult.

The Rural Municipality has also announced plans to initiate the construction of structures that will make accommodation more convenient for tourists once electricity and communication facilities are expanded. Tourists and climbers face difficulties in the Annapurna Base Camp area, situated at an altitude of 4,150 meters above sea level, due to the lack of communication facilities.

The area above Humkhola is currently experiencing a communication blackout. Jeevraj Upadhyaya, an engineer from Nepal Telecom, stated that further plans will be formulated after the preliminary report, including the survey, is available.

On June 3, 1950, the first human steps were taken on Mount Annapurna I, which stands at 8,091 meters. French mountaineers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal made history by achieving the first ascent of Annapurna I.

The trail from Narchyang to North Annapurna Base Camp has been named the Maurice Herzog trail because Maurice Herzog led the climbing expedition. While communication facilities are available on the first 20 kilometers of the total 42-kilometer route from Narchyang to North Annapurna Base Camp (up to Humkhola), the lack of communication in the subsequent 22 kilometers—covering areas like Chhotepa, Humkhola, Sandhikharka, Gufapant, Bhusketmela, Dharamdhunga, and the Base Camp itself—is negatively impacting the promotion of the region. Tourists flock to Annapurna Base Camp from Ashwin, Kartik, Falgun to Jestha.