Central Grid Power Reaches Nepal's Only Hunting Reserve, Dhorpatan, for the First Time

Baglung. For the first time, Dhorpatan, Nepal's only hunting reserve, has been connected to the central transmission line. Due to geographical remoteness, the central line had not reached the area until now. Settlements in and around the Dhorpatan valley were dependent on micro-hydropower projects.

The Nepal Electricity Authority's Baglung Distribution Center extended the 11 kV electricity line 35 kilometers west from Burtibang market to Dhorpatan. Dilip Marasini, chief of the Authority's Baglung office, informed that the 11 kV line has reached Dhorpatan. He stated that after installing poles and drawing the line since last year, regular transmission began on Thursday.

Chief Marasini mentioned that the electricity reached Dhorpatan at a cost of NPR 15 crore. He added that the next step is to distribute the power to individual homes now that the line has reached Dhorpatan. He confirmed that the 11 kV transmission line connecting Dhorpatan was charged starting Thursday.

Chief Marasini said, "It has only been a few years since the central line reached Burtibang in West Baglung; two years ago, it reached Adhikari Chaur further north. This time, we have extended it all the way to Dhorpatan. Now, citizens who were receiving electricity from small hydropower plants will be able to use the central grid power."

There are more than a dozen settlements in the Dhorpatan area. Locals had been receiving electricity service from the 40 kW Garpakhola Micro Hydropower Project and the 60 kW Dhorpatan Bhujikhola Micro Hydropower Project.

Khim Bahadur Ghartimagar, chairman of Dhorpatan Municipality-9, stated that locals had been suffering because the Garpakhola Micro Hydropower Project, operational since BS 2068, and the Dhorpatan Bhujikhola Micro Hydropower Project, established five years ago, were not generating sufficient electricity. He expressed that things will become easier now that the central line has arrived.

According to Chairman Ghartimagar, over 250 homes in areas like Salthan, Bijaulikhola, Chhantung, and Khaldekhulde in the Dhorpatan valley still lack electricity access. He mentioned that they will facilitate line connections upon requests from the locals.

"Many homes in Dhorpatan still do not have electricity; locals have been spending nights lighting 'tuki' (oil lamps) and 'diyalo' (firewood). Now that the central line has arrived, things will be easier," said Chairman Ghartimagar. "No citizen will have to be deprived of electricity access anymore."

Jeevan Pun, chairman of the Dhorpatan Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, said that due to insufficient power generation from hydropower, they were unable to operate electrical machinery, but now they can run washing machines, heaters, and other equipment. Pun noted that although Dhorpatan experiences extreme cold requiring heaters year-round, they couldn't use them previously due to low-capacity power from local hydropower plants.

He said, "Recently, tourist attraction in Dhorpatan has increased. It was a major problem for hotel operators not having central electricity; there was a compulsion to wash clothes in cold water, and we couldn't run large machinery. Now it will be easier, and tourists will also benefit."

The Electricity Authority has already extended the line up to Chhantung. The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Office, Army Barracks, and schools will also be connected to the line. Local residents are delighted that the central line has reached Dhorpatan for the first time.

Local Kul Bahadur BK stated that low-capacity electricity generation from local hydropower projects meant that electricity had not reached all settlements across Dhorpatan. He expressed hope that every local household will now receive electricity. Most locals here reside in Dhorpatan during the monsoon and in the lower regions (Besi) during winter. BK shared that they were forced to live in darkness throughout the monsoon, but they expect this problem to be resolved now.