Niseldhor still in darkness

By Sadhan Khatri, Myagdi, Sept.24: Niseldhor, a remote village located in Nisikhola Rural Municipality-5, Baglung, which is connected to the border of East Rukum is still deprived of electricity. 

This village within the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve still does not have access to electricity leaving its residents compelled to live in darkness. They are forced to spend the nights burning traditional lighting means such as Tuki, Diyalo, and bhang. 

The local Mahendra Gharti Magar said, "We are forced to live in darkness because there is no electricity in our remote village. Many of the villagers use traditional lighting means such as Tuki, and Diyalo while those who are well-off have installed solar. That’s is the life here." 

He expressed sorrow that they are compelled to live in darkness and away from information communication even with the development of modern means and technology. 

The remote village was only connected by road just seven years ago. 

The local 75-year-old Jum Bahadur Budhathoki Magar complained that the state neglects them. 

He said, "I ponder when our village will be lightened by electricity just like other cities which are brightened by flickering lights."

Around 75 households have been living permanently in the village. However, the household rises to more than 600 during the rainy season. The residents searching for light have been rearing livestock and cultivating potatoes and apples in the rainy season. 

Locals who live in Niseldhor only for four months of the rainy season stay in Nisi village during winter. Niseldhor Lake area falls while Nisi village is in flat terrain. 

The residents go down to Nisi village from Niseldhor from June to October. Lately, many people are opting to live in Niseldhor. Niseldhor, which can be reached from Dhorpatan Valley by a journey of about one and a half hours, has a possibility of tourism but is overshadowed due to a lack of facilities such as electricity. 

Previously, only a few locals lived here due to the snowfall and extreme cold, but recently, the number of permanent residents has started to increase after the road was connected. 

Chairman of Nisikhola Rural Municipality of Baglung district Surya Bahadur Gharti Magar said that efforts have been underway to connect the village with electricity since last year. 

He said that Niseldhor will be connected through the Bhuji Small Hydropower Project located in Dhorpatan Municipality-9, Bhuji.

Saying that poles were installed in some places while wiring work has been done in 90 per cent of resident houses Chairman said that the target is to connect electricity in the village within a year. 

He said that the Gandaki provincial government has allocated 40 million rupees in the current fiscal year. If the village is connected with electricity and connects then it will help to raise the standard of living of its citizens. 

Cutting down trees is restricted by the Hunting Preserve therefore it is very difficult to cook food and light in the evening.  

Only the basic level education up to grade five is taught here, after that students have to go to Gyanendra High School in Nisi village for further studies.