By Thakur Prasad Acharya, Myagdi, Nov. 5: Locals of Paundwar, Annapurna Rural Municipality-5, in Myagdi district have rebuilt in a unique way a trekking route from the bank of the Kali Gandaki River to the lap of Mt. Nilgiri and Annapurna.

Laying stone on the trail, putting up stone stairs in uphill areas, setting up stone spout and building resting places and houses along the route, the locals have given a crafty look to the route, and all that with their individual donation in memory of their relatives or in respect to the family members aged above 84.

It takes 7 hours on foot to reach Khopra from Pokhare Bagar, the bank of Kali Gandaki, and another 7 hours to reach Khayerlek, the base of the snowcapped mountains, from Khopra. Both Khoptra and Khayerlek are popular touristic spot, although trail to reach there was in dilapidated condition and the authorities had not given due attention to manage it.

The locals have named the stone spouts and resting places that are built along the route after their relatives.

Because of the decoration of the route, trekkers heading for Khopra and Khayerlek now forget tiredness of having to walk on foot.

"I did not feel any tiredness for having to climb uphill because the trail is so attractive. It is first time I have seen such a unique trekking route. The locals have adopted a new practice, which could be a role model for many," Prem Karki, a tourist from Pokhara, shared his experience. Karki was visiting Khopra.

Rudra Pun, a local of Paundwar, said the locals including those staying in different cities within country and abroad, have contributed to rebuild the route in memory of their relatives and in respect of parents aged above 84.

Tourists heading for Khopra used to take water from Paundwar in case they felt thirsty on the way. But that is no longer the case now. The locals have set up stone spouts along the route in the belief that their ancestors are rescued, said Buddhi Pun, a local, resting places and houses are also made along the route for the tourists.

He said locals of Pundwar had a unique style to pay respect to their parents and ancestors.

Krishna Bahadur Tilija, who was born in Paundwar but now lives in Pokhara, said he contributed Rs. 700,000 to make 585 stone stairs in honour of his father who is 84 now. Tilija is just an example of more than three dozen families of Paundwar village.

Raju Pun, another local, said the villagers took the step after the government did nothing to rebuild the dilapidated route.

We requested all the villagers to do something unique for the sake of their ancestors and parents. We all agreed to rebuild the trail. We started rebuilding it a few years ago. Now, almost all the route is rebuilt which made it easy for the tourists to walk, said Pun.