The program, according to the organizers, is designed for youth from diverse backgrounds who will travel extensively in remote places of Mugu (Karnali), meet community members, work with social ventures, learn developmental issues and most importantly spread the message of peace, sustainability and development. [break]
These youth will return with stories of social change, and the program enables them to use these stories to inspire a larger community, the organizers said.
Apart from trekking and camping, the participants will establish a ‘solar power education system’ and map the potential of tourism in Dolphu VDC of Mugu.
The trip, which is especially designed for the youth of the city, aims at broadening their perspective on the socioeconomic problems facing the country.
“Those of us who live in the city know very little about the people and their lives outside the city,” says Niraj Tamrakar, president of TUDE, adding, “This is the main idea behind the trip.”
Since the camp will be located in one of the remotest areas, the participants will not only learn about the social and cultural milieu of the place but also come face to face with the difficulties facing the locals in their daily lives. Among other mandatory things, a journal writing session will be held.
“We have been accustomed to getting everything ready during our trips. We will have to cook our own food, collect the fuel ourselves, and make our own beds,” adds Niraj. Also, the participants will be shown various documentaries and dramas during the camp.
On their first week of the camp, the participants are expected to hold a workshop on educational issues for the students of Gamgadi.
Also, the participants will hold meetings with NGOs and government representatives to discuss tourism issues and challenges thereof with NGO representatives.
The group will then head toward their final destination -- Dolphu -- where the camp will be located.
The camp location
The participants of the camp will visit different places of Mugu which stands 75th in terms of Human Development Index (HDI) among the 75 districts of the country.
With topographic extremes, this district yields dismal agricultural products and has limited access to health services and no direct road transportation facilities.
As a part of the trip, the campers will also visit Dolphu VDC which is regarded as the most isolated and remote Village Development Committee in Mugu. With around 30 households residing and no telecommunication and electricity available, the VDC nevertheless falls within the stunning spectacle of the Shey Phoksundo National Park.
It will take an eight-day-long walk from Jumla to reach the place.
After reaching the place, the participants will get to experience the richness of natural beauty and wildlife, including snow leopard, blue sheep, Himalayan thar and musk deer.
This is the place where the participants will interact with the residents and put up a computer lab. “Working with the villagers will not only help the participants learn more of life in the villages but also bring with them a sense of achievement and happiness after the lab is set up,” says Niraj.
Seeing new things and meeting new people can help you get out of the monotonous routines of working and worrying in the city.
And when you are there, your own problems may not seem so large in comparison with the struggles for life the people in remote places of our own country undergo. Also, the most efficient participants chosen by the mentors of the trip will receive a chance of accompanying the next batch of the trip as a mentor.
As for now, the mentors of the trip are members of TUDE who have already visited Mugu and made documentary that will be screened for the participants of this year’s trip.
Tourism Development Endeavors (TUDE) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2006 with the motive of developing sustainable, ethical and decentralized tourism in Nepal through research, promotion and advocacy.
While ‘Friends of Mugu’, established in November 2010, is a network of individuals who have been to Mugu and experienced the lifestyle of people there and those who care about Mugu.
This Mugu program is part of Sustainable Tourism and Education (STEM) and is supported by Davis Project for Peace.
So if you think you wish to explore and learn, fill in the form and be a part of it. For application forms go to www.tude.org.np
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