Cleanup drive on Annapurna Trekking route, base camp

By Thakur Prasad Acharya

Myagdi, Nov. 17: Local youths from Myagdi have conducted a cleanup drive along the Annapurna I Base Camp and the trekking route. 

The initiative aimed to address the accumulation of waste following an increase in tourist visits during the Dashain and Tihar festivals.

The cleanup was carried out along the Maurice Herzog Trekking Route, starting from Humkhola in Narchyang of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 and the base camp. 

Members of the New Kanchi Barahi Youth Club from Sik and the Janajagaran Youth Club from Gadpar of Annapurna Rural Municipality led the effort. 

The volunteers spent two days collecting waste left behind by visitors, said Tej Gurung, a key advocate for the Maurice Herzog Trekking Route.

“We aim to keep the Annapurna Base Camp and trekking route clean and beautiful. 

The rise in tourist visits during the festive season has increased waste and the lack of proper waste management, collection points and awareness has exacerbated the issue. Therefore, we mobilised local clubs to carry out this cleanup campaign,” Gurung explained.

The collected biodegradable waste was buried, while non-biodegradable waste was carried downhill for disposal, said Suren Gurung, a youth from Sik who led the initiative. 

The team also installed informational boards along the trekking route, repaired public toilets at the base camp and set up dustbins with the support of Rekha Memorial Trust.

Dhan Kumar Paija, a resident of Gharmi currently living in the UK, contributed Rs. 100,000 to the initiative, while Mina Pun, owner of Super View Hotel in Ghorepani, donated Rs. 10,000.

The Maurice Herzog Trekking Route has drawn around 5,000 domestic tourists this autumn, the highest number recorded so far, Gurung informed. 

The trek, which features attractions such as Futfute Waterfall and Panchakunda Lake, has become a popular destination due to its natural beauty and accessibility.

Visitors typically travel 22 kilometres by vehicle from Pokharebagar to Humkhola, followed by a 21-kilometre trek to the base camp. Despite the lack of lodging facilities along the route, its appeal continues to grow as an adventure destination.