Tourism Infrastructure Expanded in Ghodepani-Poonhill

Myagdi. Tourism infrastructure has been expanded in Ghodepani-Poonhill, a major tourist destination in Annapurna Rural Municipality-6 of Myagdi. Bicycle routes, footpaths, public toilets, and a bus park have been constructed with an allocation of Rs 2.7 million by Annapurna Rural Municipality and Rs 500,000 by the Gandaki Province government in the current fiscal year 2082/83.

Ward Chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality-6, Rambahadur Khadka, informed that all the plans for which budget was allocated for the expansion of tourism infrastructure in the Poonhill-Ghodepani area have been implemented.

"We have continued the work of identifying auxiliary destinations and expanding infrastructure with the objective of extending the stay of tourists visiting Ghodepani and Poonhill," he said, adding, "The expanded infrastructure will be convenient for tourists."

A four-kilometer bicycle route connecting Poonhill to Lunglung Siddha, Laligurans Park, and then to Ghodepani's Phaleghara has been constructed with an allocation of Rs 600,000 by Annapurna Rural Municipality in the current fiscal year 2082/083.

From Poonhill, located at an altitude of 3,210 meters above sea level, one can enjoy a adventurous and thrilling bicycle ride through the rhododendron forest while viewing the Himalayas. A footpath connecting to Laligurans Park, an entrance gate, and a public toilet have been constructed with a budget of Rs 1.4 million from the rural municipality.

Consumer Committee Chairman Ranbahadur Pun said that approximately 300 meters of the footpath, which was muddy, has been paved and made concrete. Similarly, a footpath has been constructed by laying stones for 40 meters at Deurali Dada with a budget of Rs 400,000. A bus park has been constructed in Tallo Ghodepani with a budget of Rs 300,000. Ghodepani was connected to the road network this year under community initiative, connecting it to Ulleri in Kaski.

Ward Chairman Khadka also informed that the plan to construct a footpath from Ghodepani to Ghandruk, funded by an allocation of Rs 500,000 from the Gandaki Province government, has also been completed. A plan to gravel a four-kilometer road connecting Chitre to Ghodepani with a budget of Rs 30 million from the Gandaki Province government is under construction.

Previously, a horse trail connecting Laligurans Park and Peribarani Lake was operated, focusing on the Ghodepani and Poonhill areas. With the displacement of old footpaths due to roads, former Annapurna Rural Municipality Chairman and Ghodepani resident Dumbahadur Pun said that a feasibility study has also been conducted for bicycle routes connecting Ramche-Kafaldanda, Histan Tikot, Shikh, and Khiwang to extend the stay of tourists according to their wishes.

From Poonhill, which can be reached by a 45-minute uphill trek from Ghodepani, one can view the Gurja, Putha, Manapathi, Nilgiri, Annapurna, and Machhapuchhre mountain ranges. Ghodepani-Poonhill is a major tourist destination on the world-famous Annapurna Circuit trekking route.