'Goth-stay' tourism service launched in Jaljala, Myagdi

Myagdi. A 'Goth-stay' (herdsman's hut stay) has been operated for the convenience of tourists in Jaljala, a tourist destination in Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-2, Myagdi.< p>

Herdsmen farmers have started operating herdsman's hut stays for the convenience of food and lodging for tourists visiting Jaljala, located at an altitude of 3,414 meters above sea level, far from settlements. Jaljala, which falls on the trekking route from Gurilla and Myagdi to Dolpa and is included in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, has no settlements, hotels, or restaurants.< p>

Due to the policy arrangements of the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, permanent structures cannot be built, so a new concept of accommodating tourists in herdsman's huts has been put forward, said Gothbas operator Phul Bahadur Bishwakarma.< p>

"We have provided food and lodging facilities in the herdsman's huts at the request of tourists," he said, "It has provided additional income to the herdsmen and convenience to the tourists." To stay in the herdsman's huts, guests must 'book' by calling in advance. Bishwakarma said that if there are more than twenty guests, they are accommodated in turns.< p>

"Previously, only a limited number of tourists used to come to Jaljala when they came to Dhorpatan," he said, "After the opening of the road connecting Myagdi-Dhorpatan and East Rukum, four to five vehicles and 15 to 20 motorcycles are coming daily, with up to 100 tourists."< p>

Convenience for Tourists< p>

In the herdsman's huts, one can enjoy the taste of dishes made from mushrooms, sprouts, dhakayo vegetables, dhiro, flour, cow's milk, yogurt, butter, and goat meat. Internal tourist Pratap Jung Thapa said that with the facility of herdsman's huts, the situation of having to carry tents or find caves to spend the night has been eliminated.< p>

He shared his experience of being able to feel the experience of a mobile herdsman's hut. Jaljala is the grazing area for the residents of Muna, Dar, Phaliyagaun, Lulang, Lamsung, Khoriya, and Mareni of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality. During the monsoon, there is a tradition of taking mobile herds of sheep, goats, cattle, and horses to the Jaljala valley.< p>

After the route of the road connecting Taksera, 122 kilometers away from Beni, was opened in February, a 'route' is being created for tourists visiting the Putha Uttarganga of East Rukum and the Dhorpatan valley of Baglung to return via Jaljala and Muna.< p>

Jaljala has become an adventurous and attractive destination for those traveling by motorcycle and car. Thirteen percent of the area of Nepal's only Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, including two monsoon and Barse blocks, falls in Myagdi. Jaljala is being developed as a 'viewpoint' of the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.< p>

Attraction of Jaljala< p>

The characteristics of the Jaljala valley are the peaceful environment of the flat meadows, the ever-changing weather, the cool climate, and the enjoyment of the animal herds. Sitting in the flat fields and looking at the mountains that appear before your eyes gives the impression of a canvas painted by an artist. From Jaljala, one can view Sisne, Putha, Gurja, Manapathi, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Manaslu mountains and the sunrise.< p>

During the monsoon, the presence of animal herds, wildlife, flat meadows, hilly terrain, and forests, and in the spring season, the observation of rhododendron forests are other features here. The area is of further importance because the forest in the Jaljala region is the habitat of the rare wild animal Hyaena (Red Panda).< p>

Infrastructure is being added< p>

Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality Vice-Chairperson Resham Pun Magar said that the herdsman's hut stay has been effective. "Drinking water has been arranged in Jaljala and the construction of public toilets has been started," he said, "Efforts are being made to increase the capacity of herdsman's hut stays by building temporary sheds and huts in coordination with the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve."< p>

Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality, which has allocated a budget of Rs 900,000 for the construction of public toilets and drinking water in the current fiscal year, also completed a tourism promotion program in Jaljala this week. A concept of a trekking route connecting Takamkot, Muna Malika, Jaljala, Gurjaghat, Rugachaur, Gurja, and Dhaulagiri Base Camp has been put forward.< p>

How to reach?< p>

Jaljala can be reached by a two-hour jeep and motorcycle ride from Muna, the center of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality. From Pakhathar of Dhorpatan, it takes about one hour and 30 minutes to reach Jaljala by jeep and motorcycle on a dirt road. It takes five to six hours to reach Jaljala by walking from both sides.< p>

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