Monday, August 27, 2012

Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is a village and Village Development Committee (Namche) in Solukhumbu District in the Sagarmatha Zone of  Nepal in Eastern Development Region. It is located within the Khumbu region at 3,440 metres (11,286 ft) (the low point that is), populating the sides of a hill. Namche is the main trading center for the Khumbu region with many Nepalese officials, a police check, post and a bank.
On a hill overlooking Namche Bazaar is the Syangboche Airport (3,750m / 12,303 ft). Which is the highest airfield in Nepal. Namche Bazaar is popular with trekkers in the Khumbu region, especially for altitude acclimatization, and is the gateway to the high Himalaya. The town has a number of lodgings and stores catering to the needs of visitors as well as a number of internet cafés, making it one of the few places in the region where trekkers can access the Internet.
On Saturday mornings, a weekly market is held in the center of the village while there may also be a daily Tibetan market where clothing and cheap Chinese consumer goods tend to be the main articles for sale.

Sagarmatha national Park

Total Area : 1148 sq km.
Buffer Zone : 275 sq km.
Activities : Trekking, Mountaineering, Experiance of sherpa culture
Accommodation : Resort hotels, Lodges, Camping
Access : Fly to Lukla which is 30 minutes by air from kathmandu.
Best Season : Oct-Nov and Mar-May
                        Dec-Feb (Snow, daytime temperature 5 degrees Celcius)
                        Jan-Sep ( Rainy)
Prak Headquarter : Mendalphu, Namche Bazar, Solukhumbu
Contact : 038-626043
Sagarmatha National Park

The prime attraction of Sagarmatha National Park is Mt. Everest, the highest peak of he world. The park was added to the list of the world haritage site in 1979. The park, a part of the himalayan ecological Zone, has several other prominent peaks most of which are above 6000 metres with most of the park above 3000 metres, Sagarmatha is full of rugged terrain with deep gorges, glaciers and huge rocks. With its Himalayan terrain and its unique culture, the park offers a blend of natural and cultural tourist products here. The vegetation at lower elevation is dominated by pine and hemlock forests, while above 3500 m the forest is dominated with silver fir, birch, rhododendron, and juniper trees. During spring and monsoon the varieties of rhododendron flowers are seen. The common wildlife in the park are Himalayan thar, ghoral, mrarelyusk deer, pikka (mouse hare), weasel, jackal. Other rarely seen animals are Himalayan black bear, wolf, lynx, and snow leopard.
Snow Leopard 
Birds inhabiting the park are the impeyan pheasant (Danphe), blood pheasant, red-billed chough, yellow-billed chough, snow cock, snow pigeon, Himalayan griffon, and lammergeyer. The national park also showcases the cultural trophies with the warm sherpa hospitality and its many monasteries and cultural landmarks. 

Mount Kanchanjunga

KanchanjungaEarly Mount Kanchanjunga was considered as the highest mountain in the world. Later it became apparant that the peak was only the third highest mountain after the Everest and K2(Karakoram, Pakisthan). It lies 128 km east of Everest. The western face lies in Nepal, Taplejung district while the other side lies in the state of sikkim, India. Kanchenjunga or Kanchenzonga in Sikkimese means "Five treasures of the Great Snows" as the mountain has five porminent peaks. They are Kanchanjunga Main (8586m.) Yalung Kang (8505m.), Kanchanjunga West (8420m.) and the Twin Peaks (Both 8476m.). Unlike most of other Himalayan peaks, this mountain lies north to south and the Kanchanjunga glacier drains into the tamor river which is tributory of Koshi. Kanchanjunga is one of the most difficult mountain to climb. Climbing Kanchanjunga has been contemped by as far back as in 1882. Yet no attempt was made till 1905. The first to go up the Yalung glaicer was Alaister Crowely but he lost four men on the moountain. After than for fifteen years no one dared another attempt. In 1929 an American climber named Francis Climbed up the south face but he was never seen again. After that also many climbers from different countries made unsuccesful attempt to the kanchanjunga summit. Many Climbers and potters lost their life during this period.

Wihth the breakout of second world war, there was no climbing in the himalayas. The next attempt was made by Gilmour Lewis and George Frey in 1951 and they failed. Once more they tried in 1954 with no more sucess.
Finally Fifty years afer the first attempt, in 1955 a British expedition took off, led by Charles Evanas who had been a member of succesful expidition on Everest two years earlier. Goerge Band and Joe Brown finally made it to the summit of this difficult mountain. The first Nepali to climb the Kanchanjunga was Ang Phurba Sherpa on 14th may 1980.

Mount Everest

EverestMount Everest, the highest peak in the world lies in the Khumbu region, Solukhumbu district, at Sagarmatha Zone of Eastern develpoment Region, Nepal on the northen border with Tibet/China and also falls within the Sagarmatha National Park. The Tibetian and Sherpas whi lives close to the mountain Knew it as a chhomolungma and the Nepalese government gave it the name "Sagarmatha". The name Everest was named by Andrew Waugh in honor of his predecessor, George Everest.         At 29th may 1953 the Newleland's climber Edmund Hillary and a Neapaleese Tenjing Norke Sherpa reached the Everest Summit for the very first time. Before that many climbers had tried to reach the summit but no succesful climb was made. After Sherpa and Hillary reached the top of the world, they prooved that man kind can climb the everest and survive at sucha great altitude. Many tried had been made to reach the everest summit before 1953. Before 29 years of sucessful cilimbing of Everest all the way In 1924, Mallory and Lrvine had dissappeared after they were last seen 240m. below the summit. Although Mallory's well preserved body was found high up the mountain in 1999, nobody is really sure either they made it to the summit or died on the way up.
Since 1953 many records have been broken and many Sherpas have climbed more than 10 times each. Many of climbers today climbs everest to set new records such as speed record, to become youngest or oldest and for many others record. 

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Basantapur

Basantapur is set up in an enchanting
surrounding of mountains, lakes and greenery. Offering excellent respite from city life, the diverse landscape includes terraced fields as well as the Terai plains covered with the different types of vegetation. The mixed pastures, hills of colorful Rhododendron and jasmines, beautiful sunrise and sunset, friendly people and a rich Limbu culture offer additional appeal.
Basantapur also hosts trekkers on the way to Mt. Kanchenjunga in Taplejung and the popular Teenjure Milke-Jaljale Trail.
The best time to visit are autumn and spring, between October-December or from Feb-Apr. The weather is cool and temperate here most times of the year, which makes Basantapur ideal for visit anytime. Summers are pleasant with temperatures ranging from 10-20 degree Celsius,
while winters are not extreme even though temperatures could sometimes fall below o degree.
Predominant Culture:As in Kanchenjunga region further, Limbu culture is predominant in the surrounding areas of Basantapur as well. Other ethnic groups that reside in the area are Gurung, Rai, Tamang, Brahmin and Chhettri. Tharu, Newar and Marwadi people also live in some areas. Most of the people here are farmers by occupation.
Places to Visit:

Tinjure Dada : From Tin Jure(3,660m) edge one can see magnificent views of sunrise and sunset,, and majestic view of the mountains. Thirty four varieties of Rhododendron are found here. Tin Jure Danda is about half-hour away from Basantapur Bazaar.
Tinjure Milke Jaljale Trail, also known as the Rhododendron Trail, spreads across Taplejung, Terathum and Sankhuwasabha districts. Hile, north of Dharan, is good place to start out. Alternately, you can start from Phidim at the end of a newly completed dry season dirt road that traverses Ilam's young tea estates.
Heading northeast out of Hile, the trail climbs gradually through settlements of recent migrants from the northern Olangchung region, trans-Himalayan yak drivers who live for months on tsampa (roasted barely flour), dried yak meat, and cheese. Gupha Pokhari is a serene lake set on a ridge looking east at the Kanchenjunga massif and west at Makalu and the Khumbu Himal. From here, a shorter trek follows the Milke Danda ridge due north, climbing to 4'700m into the Jaljale Himal, a remote area spotted with lakes and inhabited by mountain people from Tibet. You can then descend east to the Mewa stream and continue to Taplejung's airfield and further to the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area.

Milke Danda : On the way to Taplejung is another popular Rhododendron forest known by the name of Milke Danda (2,905). Milke Danda provides a closer view of the Kanchenjunga and Kumbhakarna mountains and offers beautiful sunrise and sunset surprises when weather is clear. It is on the trekking trail between Taplejung and Basantapur Bazaar.

Pattek Danda: Pattek Danda (2,500m) is equally beautiful for sunrise, sunset and also offers a wide view of the Himalayas including Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga . Pattek Danda is ideal for short treks and is also a good area for picnics. There is a popular Goddess Kali temple, 2-hour walk from Basantapur Bazaar. Pattek Danda, about 3 km from Basantapur can alo be reached via Chitre that is 15-minute drive away. From here Pattek Danda is a 30-minute trek.
Gupha Pokhari us a natural pond that lies on the trekking trail to Taplejung from Basantapur. Picturesque views of mountains, sunrise and sunset can be seen from here. This pond has religious significance and is also a good resting place for Taplejung trekkers.
Margh Pokhari (2,600m) is another natural pond on the lap of the hills. The pond holds religious value and has scenic beauty. The pond has contributed to keep the surroundings green. The Margh Pokhari watershed area has a dense forest that habitats popular species of Rhododendron and precious plants. Margh Pokhari is on the way to Basantapur from Sindhuwa, which is 5 km from Basantapur.
Panchakanya Pokhari is another popular tourist site. Also known a Chhathar Pokhari, Panchakanya Pokhari is approximately 2-hour walk further down from Sukrabare Bazaar. Among the many ponds here, the largest pond in the area is Panchakanya.
A fair known as Sukrabare Bazaar (Sukrabar is Friday in Nepali) is held every Friday in Hammarjung VDC, showcasing the mixed culture of settlements. Majority of the inhabitants here are Limbu. Thus, it is an ideal place and time to experience the rich Limbu culture. The village popular for homespun cloth called Khadi (cotton). The village can be reached via Sindhuwa Bazaar, another popular area of Basantapur.

Access: Getting There Basantapur is in Tehrathum district of Koshi zone. It can be reached via Hile in Dhankuta district. Buses are available at Central Bus Station, Gongabu, in Kathmandu . Another option is to fly to Biratnagar and drive to Hile Bazaar. Buses are available from the Hile Bazaar to Basantapur Tourist Services .

Accommodation and Facilities: Budget hotels and moderate accommodation facilities are available in Basantapur Bazaar. There are many small hotels and restaurants in the area to cater to local passers by. Camping sites are also available for trekkers.

Tinjure, Milke And Jaljale (TMJ) Rhododendron conservation Area

Tinjure ridge, named as it has series of three beautiful hills, lies in the confluence of Nepal’s two eastern mountainous districts Shankhuwa Sava and Tehrathum. Standing out as kingdom of rhododendron Tinjure hosts many kinds of rhododendron species and other vegetation. It is identified as hotspot for biological diversity with some high valued Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and endowed with spectacular land structures offering aesthetic pleasures. Argelli, lokta (Daphne papyracea), khasru (Quercus semicarpifolia), phanlat (Quercus glauca), katus (catanopsis indica), chiraito (Swertia chirayita, Swertia angustifolia), lothsalla (Taxus baccata), malingo, angeri, chuthro,etc are some of the important vegetation which grows and thrive in Tinjure area. So this area possesses immense potential for NTFPs to increase the livelihood of local people.Farming and livestock are the main occupation of the people that surrounds Tinjure. Potatoes, maize and cabbage are major agricultural products. Livestock has hugely supported the farming through the production of manure and provided people with major nutrient source, dairy products and meat. Livestock is also as an investment to provide cash for both planned events and as insurance in times of need. Both, farming and livestock have massive dependency on the forest. Forest, not only is the place for cattle grazing, collecting fodder, cutting grass but also is the only source of fuel wood and construction materials in this area which consequently have put the forest on the verge of deterioration. The extension of road in some site has notably increased the timber poaching. This situation, as a result, is degrading the forest together with the invaluable NTFPs.With the limited land for farming and livestock, the conventional sources can no more bear the burden of increasing population. Therefore, sound management and production of NTFPs depending upon the institutional management and commercial opportunities have become one efficient alternative to support the livelihood of the people around the Tinjure Area.Tinjure NTFPs Network established in 2063, a pioneer organization working in the field of NTFPs which is formed including 13 community forests (12 from Shankhuwa Sava and 1 from Tehrathum) in the area has been able to markedly transform the way people used to depend on the forest with the initiation and coordination of NORM, Basantapur with IUCN, UNDP/GEF/ SGP and the support of TEF,LFP, and New Era. This Network has been able to make a remarkable progress regarding income generating opportunities for local people.A progressive improvement shown so far is in the Tinjure Hand Paper Industry run by the Network. Started in the year of 2063 it has done a exemplary work providing job opportunity for the people identified as the poorest of the community.It produces..l.. daily which is equivalent to … and is being supplied to different part of the country. This shows approximately % profit.Another small industry they have been running is the Tinjure gurans juice industry. Started only 3 months ago it has done fantastic work. Okhre mahila samuha are really excited seeing the market that they found this season. Like wise it has been supplied … chiraito to dabur Nepal this season only. Other medicinal herbs are also doing well. It has also established a revolving fund for poor people in the area.The Network have established nursery of different medicinal herbs like rare lothsalla, allo, lokta and planning to do commercial production of the herbs. Through this network people from disadvantaged group are being trained and being well sensitized about the conservation income generating activities. Formation of different women’s group and involving them in the conservation and other income generating activities of course is a good initiation.Network seems to establish a local entrepreneurship using poor and disadvantaged groups which is the actual need of every rural area of Nepal.It is clearly seen that working with the Network is far better than working individual cfugs which makes CF easy to create fund, undertake business activities, distribute profit, and increase efficient market linkage and to approach stakeholders. It has become a very good means of very essential timely and effective communication with the CFUGs to develop. It has also enhanced the integrated conservation and development of the area.To make all the efforts more effective, the distribution system of profit should be transparent and equitable. The activities should be documented so that it would be easy to implement further programs more effectively and can be accommodated in the whole TMJ area and also to the other part of Nepal as well.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

म्याङलुङ्ग बजार

म्याङलुङ्ग बजार तेह्रथुम जिल्लाको सदरमुकाम हो । विषेश गरेर लिम्बु जातीको बाहुल्यता रहेको तेह्रथुम जिल्लाको यस सदरमुकाममा भने बढि मात्रामा नेवार जातीहरु बसोबास गर्नेगर्छन् । हरेक शुक्रबारको दिन हाट लाग्ने यस बजार सम्म पुग्ने सडक हालैमात्र पक्कि बन्दै गरेकोछ ।

विराटनगर, धरान, धनकुटा, हिले, बसन्तपुर, लसुने हुँदै म्याङलुङ्ग बजार सम्म पुग्नको लागि स्थानिय बस वा ट्याक्सीको माध्यम बाट जान सकिन्छ । यहाँ सम्मको यात्राको क्रममा बाटोमा विभिन्न प्राकृति मनोरम दृश्यहरु, लालिगुराँस, तिनजुरे डाँडा तथा मकालु, कन्चनजंगा, कुम्भकर्ण लगायतका हिमालहरुको पनि दृश्यावलोकन गर्न सकिन्छ भने म्याङलुङ्ग बजार भित्र रहेका सिंहवाहिनी मन्दिर र पाथिभरा मन्दिर ले यस बजारको सोभा झन बढाएको छ । साथै यहाँको अर्को मुख्य विशेषता भनेको ढाका कपडा हो जुन तेह्रथुमे ढाकाको नाममा प्रसिद्ध रहेकोछ ।
म्याङलुङ्ग बजारको नामाकरणको वारेमा पनि एउटा रोचक प्रसंग छ । लिम्बू भाषामा म्याउँको अर्थ बिरालो र लुङ्गुको अर्थ ढुङ्गा हुन्छ। म्याउलुङबाट अपभ्रंश भई म्याङलुङ भएको स्थानीय बूढापाकाहरूको भनाइ छ। प्रचलित लोककथा अनुसार धेरै पहिले डाँडाको एक चौतारामा दुइ ढाक्रे बास बस्न पुगेछन्। रातको समयमा खाना पकाउन ढुङ्गा खोजी चम्का लगाएर खाना पकाउन लाग्दा आगोको तापसँगै उक्त ढुङ्गा काँप्न थाल्यो। उक्त ढुङ्गा निकै तातेपछि काँप्दै लड्न पुग्यो र उनीहरूको खानासमेत पोखियो। रिसको झोकमा उनीहरूले सो ढुङ्गामा तरबार प्रहार गरे, तरबार प्रहारका क्रममा ढुङ्गाबाट म्याउँको आवाज आएको र त्यसबाट रगतसमेत बगेका कारण ढाक्रेहरू डराएछन्। उनीहरूले यो कुरा स्थानीय बासिन्दाहरूलाई सुनाए। उक्त घटना सुनिसकेपछि गाउँलेहरूले अब अनिष्ट हुने भयो भनी सो ढुङ्गालाई बाजागाजासहित हालको म्याङलुङ बजारको मध्यभागमा रहेको चौताराको वरको रूखको फेदमा स्थापित गरे। त्यहाँ पूजाआजा गर्ने, भाकल गर्ने र बलि चढाउने चलन अहिले पनि छ। यहाँको हावापानी मध्यम खालको भएकाले वातावरण रमणीय छ ।

वि.स.  २०५९ मंसिर २२ गते बेलुका म्याङलुङ्ग बजारमा भिषण आगलागि भएको थियो जसको कारण कुनै  मानवीय क्षति नभए पनि लगभग ८५ वटा घरसहित लत्ताकपडा, फर्निचर आदिका साथै सम्पूर्ण सामान जलेर खरानी भएका थिए। यसै क्रममा लगभग २ सय ५० घरपरिवार विस्थापित भए भने लगभग २ अरब बराबरको धनजनको क्षति भएको अनुमान गरिएको थियो ।