RASUWA, March 5: The trekking trail to Gosainkunda Lake in Rasuwa district has remained obstructed for over a month due to heavy snowfall.

Domestic as well as international visitors are forced to return from Chandanbari as authorities concerned are not doing anything to open the trail. The lake is two days’ walk from Chandanbari.

According to Langtang National Park Office, around 10 to 15 trekkers are heading to Gosainkunda Lake and Langtang Valley each every day. However, trekkers heading toward Gosainkunda Lake are forced to return midway as the trail beyond Chandanbari is inaccessible.

The condition of trail in Langtang Valley is no different. Suppa Lama, chairperson of Ward-4 of Gosainkunda Rural Municipality, said 3-feet snow has covered the trail from Langtang village to Kyanjin Gompa. “However, we managed to open the walking trail few days ago. The trail beyond Kyanjin remains blocked,” added Lama.

Closure of trekking routes for over a month has affected business of local hoteliers. “We are suffering huge losses. It is high time the national park office took needful initiatives to clear the trekking trails,” Nishan Gajurel, a hotelier, told Republica. “The national park office should put in place a mechanism to inform trekkers about the condition of routes and weather, among others.” 

Shiva Lal Gaire, the information officer of the Langtang National Park, said trekkers are suffering as they are forced to return without reaching their destinations. “Though the tourist season is still a month away, the footfall of trekkers is increasing gradually,” he added.

Langtang National Park welcomed 6,100 foreign visitors, including 100 from SAARC countries, over the first seven months of Fiscal Year 2018/19. Over 300,000 tourists have visited the national park since it started keeping records of visitors.  The park office levies entry fee of Rs 3,000 on international trekkers, Rs 1,500 on visitors from SAARC countries and Rs 100 on Nepalis.

Langtang Valley, Gosainkunda Lake, Rasuwagadhi fort and Naagthali are the popular destinations for visitors in Langtang National Park. Rasuwa district is known for its historical, cultural, natural, and religious attractions. The national park is also home to endangered species like red panda and snow

 
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