DOLPA, June 4: The construction of a 3.8 km-long trekking circuit from the Phoksundo Lake, which lies next to Rigmogaun village of Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality-8, to the Chholphuk hill has been completed. According to the rural municipality, the remaining 4km stretch of the trekking route will be constructed within fiscal year 2019/20.

Previously, tourists and visitors coming to Dolpa to see the famous lake would return halfway due to the lack of a walkable track around the lake. Now, with the trekking route being constructed, the visitors can now have a complete view of the panoramic beauty of the Phoksundo Lake.

The Ministry for Industry, Tourism and Environment of Karnali Province has allocated a total budget of Rs 38 million for the construction of the route. However, only Rs 10 million was provided in the first phase of the construction. According to the chairperson of the Trekking Route Construction Committee, Chhewang Gyalpo Lama, a 3.8 km long stretch of the route was completed with the provided budget.

"The initial phase of the construction has been completed,” confirmed chief of the Division Forest Office, Dolpa, Nara Bahadur Chhetri.

“The visitors can have easy access to the lake which could also boost the tourism industry,” said chairperson of Shey Phoksundo-8, Nima Lama.

Located 3,635m above sea level and having a depth of 650m, the lake is a natural heritage which lacks vegetation and marine life. It is spread across an area of 17.29 sq km inside the Shey Phoksundo National Park.

“We hope that the opening of the route will help boost tourism and economic status of the people in the area," said Tashi Dhundup Gurung, chairperson of Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality.

 
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