Rukum East not doing enough to exploit tourism potential

By Jaya Man Budha Magar

Rukum East, Sept 8 : Rukum was one district before the Nepal government divided it into East and West while federating the country. Now Rukum East is a mountain district of Lumbini Province situated along the Dhaulagiri mountain range. 

On October 5, 2017, Rukum East was classified as a category ‘A’ mountainous district in Nepal Gazette. As mentioned in the Gazette, there are 20 mountainous districts in Nepal. 

A district has to meet various criteria to be classified as mountainous. Due to many mountains and snow-covered ranges found in Rukum East, the Nepal government had categorized it in the category ‘A’. 

It is said that about half a dozen mountains higher than 5,000 metres are in the district with the highest being 7,246-metre-high Putha Hiunchuli.

Likewise, 6,536-metre-high Dogali, 5,924-metre Samjang, 5,911-metre Sisne and 5,833-metre Nimku are situated in the district. 

Sisne mountain is located in Sisne Rural Municipality-1 and the rest in Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality-1 and 2.

Sine and Putha mountains have gained popularity after the two rural municipalities were named after them. But, rest of the mountains have lost admiration and have remained unknown to many. Even the people in the neighbouring districts are unknown about these mountains. 

Puni Raj Gharti Magar, chairman of Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality, said that the district has not been able to push tourism introducing packages for the promotion of these mountains. It has been conducting regular programmes only. 

“In order to promote the mountains that have been discovered so far, we are thinking of conducting further study and research on the mountain range in the rural municipality through the Putha Circuit," chairman Gharti Magar said.

"According to the report from the additional study and research through the Putha Circuit, the rural municipality will take further steps.”

The mountains located in Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality lie in one mountain range. It has been informed that Sisne Rural Municipality is also lagging behind in coming up with the proper packages and programmes for the promotion of the mountains.