Rural Dhulachaur transforms into a bustling marketplace

BY RAJAN RAWAT,Humla, Mar. 27: Dhulachaur, centre of Himali Rural Municipality in Bajura district, once a barren land filled with clay and stones, has transformed into a bustling marketplace over the past eight years. 

The decision to designate Dhulachaur as the administrative centre of Himali Rural Municipality during the municipal restructuring made this transformation possible.  

Until 2016, Dhulachaur was a desolate area with a rocky and muddy footpath, recalled Chhapkilal Khadka of Tajakot Rural Municipality-1 in Humla district, who has traveled through the area for over 30 years. 

He stated that he never imagined Dhulachaur would develop into what it is today. However, he now believes that progress is possible with efforts.  

Dhulachaur is a key entry point for travelers heading to Humla, both in the past as a pedestrian route and now as part of the road network. Many people from southern Humla have engaged in trade and business in Dhulachaur, while others purchase goods from its marketplace. 

Once covered in weeds and large boulders, Dhulachaur’s complete transformation into a commercial hub has astonished locals. Janak Chhantyal, a local, said that the area, once deserted, is now teeming with people and vehicles round the clock. 

He said that he never imagined such a drastic transformation and credited it to the federal system. According to him, people from 10 districts in Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces are now conducting business in Dhulachaur.  

Govinda Bahadur Malla, who was re-elected as the chairman of Himali Rural Municipality, said that Dhulachaur was chosen as the municipal centre because of its accessibility to all wards and the ease of developing infrastructure. He stated that the land in Dhulachaur is public property and the municipality has established legal ownership over its use.  

The decision to designate Dhulachaur as the municipal centre was made in 2016 and the rural municipality office was relocated there following the 2017 local elections. 

Besides municipal structures, Dhulachaur is now connected to the Karnali Corridor road and has facilities such as a health post, drinking water supply, police station, Red Cross building, sports ground, cold storage, an industrial village and electrification.  

Chairman Malla emphasised that without federalism, this transformation would not have been possible. Although Dhulachaur is geographically in Bajura, it serves as a crucial route for Humla residents, leading to a high level of activity from travelers and traders. 

He acknowledged that while the current infrastructure is functional, further planning and systematic development are necessary.  

Currently, more than 300 concrete houses and temporary shelters have been built in Dhulachaur and the municipality collects business taxes from these establishments.