Jaljala Becomes Attractive Tourist Destination in Myagdi

Myagdi. Jaljala, located in Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-2 of Myagdi, is becoming an attractive tourist destination due to its flat meadows spread across high mountain locations, snow-capped mountains visible against the backdrop of green hills, intermittent clouds and mountain hide-and-seek, cool climate, and peaceful environment.

From Jaljala, located at an altitude of three thousand 414 meters above sea level, one can witness the magnificent views of the sunrise and sunset along with the Sisne, Putha, Gurja, Manapathi, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Manaslu Himalayas.

Shanti Thapa of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-7 said that sitting on the flat field of Jaljala and watching the Himalayas dance before her eyes felt like a canvas painted by an artist. "The intermittent clouds and mountain hide-and-seek are a unique attraction of Jaljala," she said, "Along with the scenery, the views of Gurjaghat, Chhentung, the life of the people in Dhorpatan, the darshan of Uttarganga, and horse riding made me forget the fatigue of the journey."

Naresh Bishwakarma of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-3 said that the attraction of Jaljala has increased as one can observe cattle sheds, flat fields, forests, and hilly geography during the monsoon and rhododendron forests during the spring.

Habitat of 'Red Panda'

The Jaljala area is of further importance as it is the habitat of the rare wild animal Red Panda in its forests. Red Pandas, which live at altitudes between two thousand 200 and four thousand 500 meters above sea level, have been listed as endangered wildlife by the government.

With the support of donor agency Tole Doj, Bio Diversity Conservation Society Nepal (BIOCAS) Nepal installed three cameras in Jaljala, and Red Pandas were found in two of them. Pawan Rai, program officer at BIOCAS Nepal, said that there are between six and 25 Red Pandas living in the area.

Local residents have released photos and videos of Red Pandas found in the Gurjaghat of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve in October 2080 BS, and in the Banchedada area of Munadaha Community Forest in December 2081 BS and May 31, 2083 BS.

In 2073 BS, with the financial support of the World Wildlife Fund and the Green Forest Program, the Red Panda Network and the Himalayan Conservation Forum found Red Panda feces in Marenni, which falls within the Jaljala area. Bhom Pun of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-3 said that Jaljala can attract tourists who enjoy adventurous trekking due to the Red Pandas.

Tourists Increased After Road Facility

Fulbahadur BK of Lulang, Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-2, who has been operating 'Goth Stay' in Upper Jaljala for 6 years, said that tourists have been coming daily. "Earlier, only a limited number of tourists visiting Dhorpatan used to come to Jaljala," he said, "Since the route of the Myagdi-Dhorpatan and East Rukum road opened, 4-5 vehicles and 15-20 motorcycles with tourists have been coming daily."

After the route of the road connecting Taksera, located 122 kilometers from Beni, opened in February, those visiting East Rukum's Putha-Uttarganga and Baglung's Dhorpatan valley have started making a route to return via Jaljala and Muna.

Jaljala has become an adventurous and attractive destination for those traveling by motorcycle and car. Sapana Roka from Baglung, who traveled from Taksera-Dhorpatan-Jaljala to Pokhara, shared her experience of an adventurous and thrilling journey on the new route.

Vividhjang Thapa of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality-7 said that Jaljala is a place full of natural beauty. 13 percent of the area of Nepal's only Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, including its two monsoon and barse blocks, falls in Myagdi. Jaljala is being developed as a 'View Point' of the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. Lack of accommodation and drinking water are the main problems of Jaljala.

Infrastructure Construction and Promotion Campaign Started

As tourist arrivals have increased in Jaljala, which lies on the trekking route from Gurilla and Myagdi to Dolpa, Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality has started infrastructure construction and promotion work.

Vice-chairperson Resham Pun Magar informed that Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality held a tourism promotion program this week with the objective of highlighting Jaljala's potential, identifying common issues for problem-solving, and taking initiatives at the district, provincial, and federal levels. The rural municipality has arranged for drinking water and started constructing toilets.

A concept of a trekking route connecting Takamkot, Munamalika, Jaljala, Gurjaghat, Rughachaur, Gurja, and Dhaulagiri Base Camp has been put forward. In Jaljala, where there are no hotels and restaurants far from settlements, BK from Lulang, Myagdi, has been providing food and accommodation to guests in his cowshed. Mushroom, bamboo shoot dishes, dhakayo leaf pickle, cow and buffalo milk, curd, and sheep and goat meat are among the dishes offered at Goth Stay. Tourists who go camping have to bring their own provisions.

Prem Prasad Pun, Chairman of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality, informed that a seven-point Jaljala Declaration has been issued through the program to coordinate with Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, the provincial and federal governments to take initiatives for the construction of shelters, trekking routes, and expansion of electricity and communication facilities for tourists.

He informed that a digital campaign 'Know Jaljala, Visit Jaljala' has been launched. Chairman Pun said that Jaljala Deurali can be developed as a religious tourist destination.

Alternative Road to Mid-Hilly Highway

The road connecting Beni in Myagdi to Dhorpatan in Baglung and Taksera in East Rukum is showing potential to be developed as an alternative route to the Mid-Hilly Highway. The recently opened 122-kilometer Beni-Dhorpatan-Taksera road is about 50 kilometers shorter than the Baglung-Kankri section.

From Pakhathar in Dhorpatan, it takes about one hour and three minutes to reach Jaljala via a dirt road by jeep or motorcycle. It takes about two hours to reach Jaljala from Muna, the center of Dhawalagiri Rural Municipality, by jeep or motorcycle.

Locals say it takes five to six hours to reach Jaljala by trekking from both sides.

Resham Jugjali, a Gandaki Provincial Assembly member elected from Myagdi Provincial Assembly Constituency No. 1 (B), said that the main objective of opening the road connecting Muna to Dhorpatan and East Rukum's Taksera is to develop Jaljala as a tourist destination.

He said, "If this road, opened based on the old trekking route, can be upgraded, it will be shorter and easier for the residents of East and West Rukum, Jajarkot, and Dolpa to travel to Pokhara and Kathmandu." "If this road is upgraded, it has the potential to become an alternative to the Baglung section of the Mid-Hilly Highway and a high-mountain highway."

Currently, upgrading the road and constructing bridges over rivers for motor vehicles is yet to be done in various sections. However, with the new route in operation, it has become easier for tourists visiting Dhorpatan, Jaljala, and Taksera.

According to Provincial Assembly member Jugjali, priority is being given to developing the Beni-Dhorpatan-Taksera road as an alternative route to the Mid-Hilly Highway.