Changa Kharka’s tourism potential remains untapped

By Thakur Prasad Acharya,Myagdi, November. 25: Despite its natural beauty, peaceful environment and stunning mountain views, Changa Kharka in Mangala Rural Municipality-5 of Myagdi district remains unnoticed due to limited promotion and inadequate infrastructure.

Located at an altitude of 2,250 metres above sea level, Changa Kharka offers a panoramic view stretching from Putha Himal to Dhaulagiri and Dhampus peaks. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking sunrise and sunset scenes from this hilltop.

From a single viewpoint, more than a dozen peaks can be seen, including Putha, Gurja, Sita, Churen, Manapathi, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Dhampus. 

Mekh Bahadur Budhathoki, a local, said the area has great potential to become a major tourist destination, but the lack of promotion and tourism infrastructure has kept it in the shadows.

“Changa Kharka lies above Sirkum village and is home to 17 households. There is road access from the centre of Mangala Rural Municipality, and the area offers a peaceful natural environment close to the mountains,” he said.

According to Satprasad Rokaya, chairperson of the rural municipality, the local government has prioritised building tourism infrastructure and promoting the area with plans to develop Changa as a tourism hub.

Likewise, Bhupendra Bahadur Khatri, chairperson of Ward No. 5 of the rural municipality, said that improving infrastructure, upgrading the road and operating homestays could help attract more domestic tourists. 

“Our goal is to develop Changa as a tourist destination and uplift the living standards of locals. The area is also rich in livestock and agricultural products, allowing us to welcome visitors with local organic food,” he added. 

He also said there are also plans to build a foot-trail from Changa to Tinchule, a religious and natural site on the Baglung-Myagdi border.

Travellers can reach Changa by taking the Beni-Darbang road to the municipal centre in Babiya Chaur, crossing the Myagdi River, and passing through rural settlements such as Pipalbot, Pankhu, Dhara, Sirikum and Tikabang. Local women’s groups here are known for warmly welcoming visitors with their culture and hospitality.

A rural trekking route connecting tourist sites such as Gaushwara, Beldhunga, Chinakot Durbar, Jhankripani, Tinchule, Changa, Niskot and Rumko Duru Lek could attract both domestic and international tourists, said Dhaulagiri Tourism Council Chair Amar Baniya after visiting the area.