Udayapurgadhi-Chaudandigadhi trek launched

By Our Correspondent,Gaighat, Jan. 8: The Nepal Army has launched a five-day trek from Udayapurgadhi to Chaudandigadhi for the conservation and promotion of historic forts and strongholds.

Organised by the Pashupati Prasad Battalion of the Nepal Army, based in Bokse, Gaighat, the trek began on Tuesday. It coincides with Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day that falls on Sunday (Jan. 11).

The 85-kilometre trek passes through the Mahabharat hill range, connecting two historic sites in Udayapur district -- Udayapurgadhi and Chaudandigadhi -- and will continue from January 7 to 11.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Udayapurgadhi on Wednesday, Commander of the Eastern Division, Major General Gaurav Kumar KC, said forts and strongholds are not merely piles of stone, soil and bricks, but symbols of the sacrifices made by ancestors for national sovereignty and independence.

He said the trek is organised to raise public awareness about the conservation and promotion of historically important forts, document the legacy and achievements of past generations for future generations and to instil a sense of national unity, sovereignty and integrity among the younger generation. 

On the occasion, Major General KC handed over the national flag and the Nepal Army flag to Lieutenant Dillidas Shrestha of the Pashupati Prasad Battalion, who is leading the trek.

Providing details of the programme, Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Manoj Kumar Karki said that the trek aims to generate awareness while also supporting the protection of archaeological heritage and promoting tourism in Udayapurgadhi and Chaudandigadhi.

Personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, local governments and members of the public are participating in the five-day trek.

Lieutenant Colonel Karki said various activities will be organised during the journey, including quizzes, speech competitions, essay writing and poetry recitation at school level on Prithvi Jayanti and National Unity Day. Interaction programmes will also be held in villages and schools along the route.

The trek will pass through four local governments--Udayapurgadhi, Rautamai, Triyuga and Chaudandigadhi. 

A coordination committee has been formed comprising chairpersons of the local levels, battalion commanders, representatives of hotel and tourism entrepreneurs’ associations, the district cycling association, and the Udayapur chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists.

As part of heritage conservation and promotion activities, inter-school speech competitions will be held at Panchavati Secondary School in Udayapurgadhi Rural Municipality, quiz competitions at secondary schools in Rautamai Rural Municipality, a speech competition in Gaighat under Triyuga Municipality, and an essay writing competition in Chaudandigadhi Municipality.