ABC still without telephone, electricity

By Thakur Prasad Acharya, Myagdi, Apr. 26: The plan to expand communication and electricity facilities at the Annapurna Base Camp of Annapurna I Mountain (8,091 metres) located in Narchyang of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi, has remained limited only to a feasibility survey.

Although a team from Nepal Telecom and the Nepal Electricity Authority conducted a feasibility study in January, no concrete step has been taken so far. As a result, tourists visiting the base camp are forced to face communication difficulties.

A joint technical team from Nepal Telecom, the Nepal Electricity Authority, the Annapurna Rural Municipality, and local tourism stakeholders had conducted a feasibility study in mid-January at the base camp of Annapurna I, which stands at 8,091 metres.

The survey, carried out at around 4,500 metres above sea level, identified the technical requirements for extending 4G connectivity and electricity infrastructure to the site.

The team led by Chief Administrative Officer of Annapurna Rural Municipality, Kapil Pandey, along with technicians from NT, NEA and local tourism entrepreneurs, reached the base camp in mid- January to conduct the study and returned after completing the survey.

Chief Administrative Officer Pandey said that although a feasibility study and survey were conducted after considerable effort to develop the area as a new tourist destination, no concrete plan has been received yet. 

He said that the municipality spent Rs. 50,000 on the survey.

He added that the lack of progress might be due to changes in government after elections.

Earlier, in December, a delegation led by chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality Bharat Kumar Pun, along with president of Myagdi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Subin Shrestha, and tourism entrepreneurs including Tej Gurung—an advocate of the Maurice Herzog Trail connecting the base camp—submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and the Ministry of Energy in Kathmandu, requesting expansion of communication and electricity services.

Every year, thousands of tourists visit Annapurna Mountain, which stands at 8,091 metres, for climbing and trekking to its base camp. Visitors there often face difficulties due to the lack of electricity and communication facilities.

Chairman Pun said that although efforts have been made to resolve the problems faced by tourists, including extending 4G network and electricity services, success has not yet been achieved.

He said that rescue operations become difficult when tourists are stranded due to the lack of communication services.

There is no communication coverage from Humkhola upwards along the Maurice Herzog trekking route. Tourists remain completely disconnected during their stay at the base camp.

According to Pun, Nepal Telecom has informed that communication services can only be installed after electricity is extended to the base camp.

As the distance from Humkhola to the base camp is about 22 kilometers, a huge budget is required for electricity expansion.

He said that a two-phase electricity expansion plan prepared by the municipality had been submitted to Mahabir Pun, the Member of Parliament representing Myagdi, for implementation.

As a huge amount of funding is needed, support from the federal government is essential, he added.

The total distance from Narchyang to Annapurna Base Camp is 42 kilometers. Although communication services are available up to Humkhola (20 km), the remaining 22-kilometre stretch—including Chhoteppa, 

Humkhola, Sandhikharka, Gufaphant, Bhusketmela, and the base camp—remains without communication coverage, causing inconvenience to tourists and affecting promotion of the area.

The Maurice Herzog trekking route begins from Humkhola, about a two-hour drive from Bensi village in Narchyang. The base camp can be reached comfortably in two days from Humkhola. 

Due to its short distance and adventurous trail, it has become a popular destination for domestic tourists.

While trekking along the Mistri Khola, tourists can enjoy waterfalls, beautiful Himalayan ranges, unique landscapes, hills, rare flora and fauna, and wildlife before reaching the Annapurna Base Camp.

The Annapurna Rural Municipality has made the trekking route more accessible by building hotels, restaurants, shelters, public toilets, drinking water facilities, and maintaining the trail.

Tourist attractions such as the Futfute Waterfall on the route and Panchakunda Lake at the base camp, along with the natural beauty of the Himalayas, continue to draw visitors.