DHORPATAN (Baglung), Nov 11: Lately, the Dhorpatan Valley has received a crowd of tourists. Tourists visiting Dhorpatan reach Jaljala through Gurjaghat. One has to cross many rivers to reach Jaljala.
After Sanghus (wooden bridges) were swept away during monsoon, the Hotel Entrepreneur Association of the Dhorpatan Valley and the Nepal Army have jointly constructed Phatkas (makeshift bridges) for the comfort of tourists. The makeshift bridges were built for facilitating visiting tourists crossing the river, said a hotel entrepreneur Shyam Lal Regmi.
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Although Jaljala is reachable by vehicles, most of the visiting tourists prefer motorcycle rides. So, the makeshift bridges were constructed for the comfort of motorcycle riders, he said. The bridges have made it easy for domestic tourists to trek as well.
"Most of the visiting tourists want to see the mountains. To see the mountains, tourists have to reach Jaljala through Gurjaghat. We have constructed makeshift bridges at two places to facilitate the journey of tourists. Jaljala is reachable by vehicles. But most visiting tourists prefer bike rides. Now, traveling up to Jaljala is easier. But flooded rivers sweep away the bridges during monsoon, making travel difficult," he said.
The bridges have made travel easier, said a local Nim Bahadur BK. Although young people can easily cross the river, children and the elderly would face difficulties, he added.
Saying the makeshift bridges are not a permanent solution as they can be washed away by the flooded river during monsoon, he demanded the construction of a suspension bridge in the area. Their repeated calls to concerned authorities to build a suspension bridge in the area have not been heard yet, he added.
