Suspension Bridge Built on 'Maurice Herzog' Trail in Myagdi

Myagdi. A suspension bridge has been constructed at Humkhola in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi, along the 'Maurice Herzog' trail which connects to the Annapurna base camp as a new tourist destination.

The 57-meter-long suspension bridge, built by Annapurna Rural Municipality, has benefited locals as well as tourists visiting the Maurice Herzog trail. The Vice-Chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality, Diwa Tilija Pun, stated that with the construction of the new bridge, the problem of crossing the Annapurna River by taking risks on a shaky bridge with wooden planks has ended.

"Previously, only one to two people had to take turns to cross the river," said Vice-Chairperson Pun. "With the construction of the suspension bridge, the compulsion for trekkers, tourists, and locals to cross the river in turns has been removed."

Apart from tourists, 549 families in Narchyang have directly benefited from the bridge construction. She informed that the construction of the bridge has created direct employment for one thousand 221 people.

Sub-engineer of Annapurna Rural Municipality, Bal Krishna Poudel, informed that the federal government provided a conditional grant of Rs 1,382,795 and construction materials worth Rs 189,693, while Annapurna Rural Municipality provided a grant of Rs 1,374,400 and consumers contributed labor worth Rs 7,300,880.

According to him, the bridge was constructed with the technical and social mobilization support of the non-governmental organization Milan Magdi. Vice-Chairperson Pun of the Rural Municipality stated that coordination has been done with the federal and provincial governments to build suspension bridges in other parts of the trail as well. From Narchyang, after traveling by vehicle for two hours, the trek to Annapurna Base Camp starts from Humkhola.

One can reach the base camp by observing high waterfalls, picturesque mountain ranges, unique geography, hills, rare flora, and fauna along the banks of the Misti River, which flows from the foothills of Annapurna and Nilgiri mountains. It is possible to reach the base camp in two days and return on the third day.

The base camp, located at the foothills of Nilgiri and Annapurna mountains, is a flat plain. Below the base camp, at an altitude of 4,050 meters above sea level, lies Panchkunda Lake.

The lake and mountains can be observed from the ridge of the base camp. The lake, spread over an area of 107,684 square meters, is a natural glacial lake formed by the collection of water from the melting snow of Annapurna mountain.

Maurice Herzog trail activist Tej Gurung said that the main feature of the Annapurna Base Camp is the ability to observe the lake and Annapurna mountain simultaneously.