A few months ago, I read articles regarding the official launch of zip flyers in Nepal. The news was thrilling. For adventure lovers, a 600 meters vertical drop, covering the length of 1.8 km at a speed of 140 km/hr was surely a promise of tremendous adventure. Zip Flyers’ punch line—“Dream It. Dare It. Do It”—adds more flavor to the excitement. And the excitement reaches its apex when you realize that it is “the world’s longest zip flyer.” It was interesting to learn about one more adventure sports being introduced. However, before completing the article I began to have mixed feelings, excitement and began pondering on many questions.
Honestly, being hung on a rope with a harness for about 90 seconds, over a green canopy, with a magnificent view of clear and beautiful Annapurna range on the side, and clear blue sky above, was undoubtedly an experience of a lifetime. As I mentioned above, I had mixed feelings while I was reading about it, and on my landing, my mind was juggling many thoughts. I had a chaotic state of mind. Thoughts popped up one after another. One of the interesting thoughts that clicked was “humanstock.” I started relating myself with the livestock being carried to Manakamana temple for sacrifice. Human beings are seated inside a close box called a cable car, while animals are carried in an open container. My zip flying was somewhat like the flight of those livestock.
Annually, the National Planning Commission allocates a large chunk of its budget for road construction under the budget head of infrastructure. However, over all these years, the picture of road construction has not been very rosy. Doubtless, rugged terrains, unfavorable weather conditions, and scattered settlements of the country make road construction difficult, expensive, and time consuming. The ones who suffer the most are the local people, as it makes the mobility of goods and people difficult for those living in hilly and mountainous areas.
Although the concept of ropeway is not new to Nepal, at present it is stagnating. However, it should be given continuity because of its high feasibility, especially of small scale economically feasible ropeways which operate with fiber ropes. The ropeways best suited for hilly and mountainous terrain would be gravity ropeway. Therefore, if National Planning Commission genuinely wants to provide development to the people through transportation and explore the options, then it should look into the feasibility of ropeways in the first place.
The reason why I push for the issue of ropeway is because on my way back from Pokhara, I saw that though the tuin is not functional, it is not yet eradicated from our society. The picture was sad, because I went all the way up to Pokhara to experience something similar to this. Probably the tuins are not operated out of profit motive. But now, if thought wisely, it could be reintroduced as an adventure, while at the same time it will serve the purpose of transportation for the locals. Along with the adventure, economic benefits for the locals cannot be undermined.
Moreover, it is important to think out of the stereotypical notion of development which emphasizes modern development. With changing times, people and concerned authorities might think ropeway is a traditional mode of development, or may not even consider it development at all, and stress on road construction. But my emphasis is to think in a practical way and take up those approaches which are feasible and from which people can really enjoy development.
If the ropeway becomes an efficient and safe mode of transportation, then no human who loves adventure and has no other alternative for commuting would mind the experience of becoming what I call “humanstock”.
skrishma.s@gmail.com
Related story
-1200x560-1774606010.webp)
