Demand to control unorganized settlements at Mardi Himal trek

POKHARA, Nov 08: Mardi himal trek starts from Siding of Machhapuchhre rural municipality-9 of Kaski. This trek is famous in the world as one can enjoy the trek in a short period of time.

Locals of this area, who are becoming dependent on tourism, are worried about how to protect the trekking route. Hearing that many trekking routes are disappearing due to road expansion, locals want to preserve the trekking routes. They have also demanded that the unorganized settlements that have grown in the Mardi area should be controlled and the tourist attractions should be maintained.

There are problems such as telephone, drinking water, electricity etc. during the trek. The number of hotels opening is increasing, but they are not organized. Prajwal Chhetri of Machhapuchhre rural municipality-9 Siding of Kaski demanded that the government organize the Mardi trekking, which attracts thousands of tourists every year, and preserve the trekking route.

He explained the problem of Mardi Padmarg to Gandaki Province Finance Minister Ramji Prasad Baral and provincial candidate Durga Dutt Bhandari, who reached Siding in the election campaign as a candidate for the House of Representatives from the ruling coalition in the upcoming House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections. "Now the government should stop the digging of the motorway above here and protect Mardi Padayatra", said Chhetri, "Central electricity has not reached yet, there is a problem with ACAP etc. The government should organize and provide facilities to tourists.'

Mardi Padayatra can also be started from Dhampus and Annapurna rural villages along with Siding of Machhapuchhre. Tourists enjoy the beauty of Laliguras along with the view of the beautiful snow range. Tourists reach the base camp of Mardi Himal at a height of 4,500 meters by trekking.

Hotels are open along the walk. However, there are problems such as electricity and drinking water. The local residents tell the problems of the candidates who came for the election campaign and demand a solution.

Ganesh Acharya of Machhapuchhre rural municipality-8 Koleli said that the government has not paid attention to the development of Mardi Himal and Machhapuchhre model trails. As the number of tourists is increasing every year, he demands that the tourist infrastructure should be increased.