लमजुङ ‘हाइड्रो मोडल’ जिल्ला घोषणा

जलविद्युत् उत्पादन र निर्माणले गति लिएको लमजुङ अब जलविद्युत्मा लगानीमैत्री ‘हाइड्रो मोडेल’ जिल्लाका रूपमा अघि बढेको छ । सरोकारवाला सबै पक्षको सहमतिपछि जिल्लालाई निजी क्षेत्रले आइतबार जलविद्युत्मा लगानीमैत्री जिल्ला घोषणा गरिएको हो ।
यसअघि ०६५ सालमा जिल्लालाई जलविद्युत्मा लगानीमैत्री वातावरण बनाउन सबै राजनीतिक दलले हस्ताक्षर गरेका थिए । त्यसयता राजनीतिक दल र दलनिकटका भ्रातृसंगठनहरूले जलविद्युत्मा बन्द हडताल गरेका छैनन् । तर, समय–समयमा स्थानीय र मजदुरले बन्द हडताल गरेपछि निजी क्षेत्र र प्रवद्र्धकहरूले राजनीतिक दलसँग थप प्रतिबद्धता खोजेका थिए । गत वर्षको जिल्ला परिषद्बाट जिल्लालाई जलविद्युत्मा लगानीमैत्री बनाउने निर्णय गरिएको थियो । आइतबार पाँचौं लमजुङ महोत्सवको समापनको दिन जिल्लालाई जलविद्युत्मैत्री ‘हाइड्रो मोडल’ जिल्ला घोषणा गरिएको हो ।

Lamjung promoted as a model district for hydropower development

Local stakeholders have started taking initiative for promoting Lamjung as a model district for hydropower generation.

Hydropower projects have combined capacity of around 1,000 are under different stages of development in the district.

The then District Development Committee (DDC) had set a target of generating 1,000 MW in a decade. Though nine year has already elapsed since the target was set, the district is generating only 136.4 MW so far.

Lok Raj Pandey, chief of District Coordination Committee (DCC), Lamjung, said that preparation were underway to create environment conducive in the district to attract domestic and international investment in hydropower sector by analyzing past weaknesses.

Local Development Officer of Lamjung, Dilliram Sigdel, said that DCC has already held interaction with stakeholders for creating environment conducive for domestic and foreign investments in the district. In the interaction, Maghendra Pokhrel of DCC Lamjung, and Sailendra Guragain, President of Independent Power Producers Association, and Rajkumar Bista of a lobby committee formed by the locals had presented their papers on hydropower potentials of the district.

The interaction saw participation of lawmakers, provincial assembly members, leaders of different political parties, DCC representatives, hydropower investors, and media persons, among others.
Speaking at the interaction Member of Parliament Dev Prasad Gurung, and provincial assembly members Prithivi Subba Gurung and Dhananjaya Dawadi said that they would take needful initiative for addressing policy issues to promote hydropower development in the district.

Chief District Officer Yubaraj Adhikari, Mayor of Besishahar Municipality Gumansingh Aryal as well as leaders of different political parties pledged their support to develop Lamjung as a model district for hydropower development.

Mid-Marshyangdi Hydropower Project (70 MW), Upper Marshyangdi (50 MW), Siuri (5 MW), Radhi (4.4 MW), Khudi (4 MW), Chhyangdi (2 MW) and Syange (1MW) are the hydropower projects in Lamjung that have already started power generation.

According to DCC, eight more projects having combined capacity of 138.7 MW are in the last leg of development. Other under-construction projects have combined capacity of 830 MW.
The district has collected Rs 131.4 million as hydropower royalty in the past five years.

International Organizations such as United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Care Nepal, and Community Forest Consumers Centre etc are assisting the district to develop Lamjung as a model district for hydropower development, according to DCC Lamjung.

Source : Republica

Lovely Lamjung

Heaven is Myth, Lamjung is Real

At approximately six hours drive from Kathmandu is Lamjung which is famous for its scenic beauty and home-stay facilities. When you get there, there are many places and sights that make you want to get settled there and not return to chaotic Kathmandu.

When I reached Besi Sahar, I took a jeep up to Tarkukot from where I walked for three hours to reach Gahete Village. I was exhausted but the warm welcome by the locals had me refreshed in minutes.

The next day, I moved on to Kaule Pani. The history of this place fascinated me. It was where, long before the unification of Nepal, around 2,200-2,400 petty principalities were merged into one kingdom.

On the third day, I walked for another six hours to get to Ghale Gaun before heading to Bhujung that lies at an hour’s drive away from Ghale Gaun. I stopped at Bhujung for lunch.

From Ghale Gaun, you can get spectacular views of the Himalayan ranges. Over the last few years, Ghale Gaun has become quite famous for its home-stay tourism hospitality. But I found Kaule Pani to be better than Ghale Gaun.

While traveling from Gahate to Sirung, you can see different species of birds, and this season you’ll get a variety of local berries on the way that you can nibble on too.
The waterfall at Syange is breathtaking.

Bhujung, with around 450 homes, is very organized and beautiful.

Overall, Lamjung is an experience that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.

Though the area itself was very alluring in terms of its natural beauty, the most shocking aspect of the entire trip was that I didn’t see a single youngster in any of the villages I went to. They had either gone abroad for studies or work, and only children and the elderly were left. This sight left me wondering if the youngsters will ever return to these villages.

Lamjung holds a lot of potential, especially for tourism, and if the government pays attention and generates employment opportunities, then it can definitely develop and prosper well beyond our imagination.

Source: myrepublica.com
Date: 22 June, 2013

Lamjung Himal- little brother of Annapurnas

Mountain Lamjung Himal (6 983 m asl) is the first eastern high peak on the ridge of Annapurnas. Because it lacks only a few meters to seven thousand and looks from almost all sides more like just a massive wall rather than a distinctive peak, it does not belong among the most popular mountains in the area. Anyway, the view of it from Chame is quite monumental.

Lamjung- the district of hydroelectricity ! Four New project to be accomplished within a year !

LAMJUNG: Preparations are on to launch at least four new hydro-projects within a year along the Dordi khola corridor in Lamjung.

The cost of the four hydro-projects, with a total capacity of 112 MW, is estimated at Rs 18 billion.

Liberty Hydro (25 MW), Tallo Dordi (27 MW), Super Dordi (49.6 MW) and Ledko (10.3 MW) are in the pipeline. Of the four, the 25 MW Liberty Energy Hydro power Pvt Ltd completed the PPA a year ago. The project has completed all financial closure worth Rs 4 billion, whereas the PPA preparation for Super Dordi kha Hydro-project is on. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 8.29 billion and national investors will be involved in its construction.

Keshav Bahadur Rayamajhi, Managing Director of People’s Hydro power Company, said construction of the project will start within a year.

Likewise, preparations are on to start construction of Tallo Dordi Khola Hydro-project. The project was granted licence in 2012 and the estimated cost of the project is Rs 4.3 billion.

Lamjung Electricity Development Company, is preparing to start work on construction of Dordi-1 hydro project within a year. The PPA of the project will be completed within a few months, said Managing Director of the project Binaya Bhandari. The project is estimated to cost Rs 1.8 billion.

Meanwhile, district folks have put forward their demands, including skill and development training, priority in job employment, maximum use of local resources, construction of road and drinking water facility in the locality, support for mothers’ groups, local youth clubs and schools, among others, before the projects are launched.

Dordikhola locals have warned they will not allow the projects to be launched unless their demands are addressed.

They have demanded investment of at least 3 per cent of the total investment in developmental activities of the area along with free 10 per cent share of the hydro-project to locals, training management for youth of the locality, and employment for them.

The investors have vowed to fulfil all feasible demands.

Source : The Himalayan Times

Honey hunting continues to entice tourists in Lamjung

SIURUNG, LAMJUNG: Honey hunting has become one of the major attractions in the annual Siurung Festival being held in Lamjung district currently.

That is why, honey hunter Ram Singh Gurung (aka Rumba) continues to entice spectators towards him, though the honey hunting adventure is scary enough to drive them away generally.

Honey hunter Ram Singh Gurung (aka Rumba) extracting honey on a steep hill during the annual Siurung Festival, in Siurung, on Monday, May 02, 2016. Photo: Ramji Rana/ THT

Honey hunting has become one of the major attractions in the Festival for last few years.

Every year, locals risk their lives in order to extract honey with the help a single rope in steep hills.

A honey hunter climbs up with a rope to extract honey on a steep hill during the annual Siurung Festival, in Siurung, on Monday, May 02, 2016. Photo: Ramji Rana/ THT

It has become a source of income and has been attracting tourists from all over the world.

Recently, however, people have started raising safety concerns.

Scores of bees fly around a beehive in Siurung village, on Monday, May 2, 2016. Photo: Ramji Rana/ THT

The hunting has been conducted in steep hills of Ghanpokhara, Khudri, Taghring, Bhulbhule, Bhujung, Dudhpokhari areas of Lamjung.

The hunting team works in three persons: one on the top, one at the middle to extract and one at the bottom to collect the honey.

Lamjung

Lamjung-Indulge in a historical, cultural and natural odyssey
Those who have been there swear by its beauty and return mesmerised by the unparal leled view of mountain ranges, lush greenery, traditional villages and the raging Marshyangdi river. Situated on the way of major trekking trails like the world famous Annapurna Circuit, Lamjung is a paradise for nature lovers.

Ghale Gaun
Ghale Gaun is a picturesque village situated at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres above sea level and can be reached by jeep from Besisahar. For those who prefer to hike , it will take around six hours from the same. At Ghale Gaun, you get to experience fantastic hospitality of Ghales -the indigenous people of Nepal -their culture and stunning mountain views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, Manasalu and many other peaks. You also get an op portunity to stay with a local family and enjoy delicious organic food cooked on a traditional stove. This SAARC Model Tourism Village is definitely worth a visit while in Lamjung.

Honey hunting
This part of Nepal is home to thousands of Himalayan Cliff bees.Every year, Lamjung hosts Honey Hunting Festival which usually takes place in the months of April to May or October to No vember. For those with deep pockets, private honey hunt ing trips are also organ ised. The trip will provide an amazing opportunity to experience the age-old livelihood of honey hunters firsthand, and taste the sweetest honey mankind has ever known. No wonder they go all out to harvest it.

Adventure
Rafting and kayaking down the Marshyangdi river makes the district the playground for river adventure lovers. The many hidden canyons and waterfalls in the district has the potential to be a Mecca for canyoning professionals and enthusiast alike. The picturesque land scape of Lamjung has the potential to become a major aragliding destination.

Baraha Pokhari
Just two days' trek from Chiti at an elevation of 3,200 metres lies Baraha Pokhari. Beautified by plenty of colourful rhododendron trees the pokhari on a clear day reflects the surrounding mountains, hills and trees.The place, relatively untouched by modernisation, offers superb up close views of Manaslu, Himalchuli, Boudha Himal, Annapurna and Machhapuchhre.

The trail does not just stop here and if you are adventurous enough, you can head to the beautiful Mim Pokhari and Dudh Pokhari. You will need a self-supporting tent and a guide with local know ledge. No special permit is required for this trek.

Lamjung Durbar
Holding significant historical importance, Lamjung Durbar is the first palace of the Shah dynasty of Nepal. From the palace, on a clear day, one can enjoy fantastic views of Besisahar, Marshynagadi valley, Lamjung Himal, Himalchuli, Manaslu, Boudha Himal and many other smaller peaks.

Hile Taksar
Hile Taksar, situated at an altitude of 1,700 metres, is roughly a three-hour hike from Phaliyasangu. On a clear day, you will get a fantastic 360 degree view of the hills, villages, Dordi and Marshyangdi valley as well as superb views of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, Himalchuli, Boudha Himal, Manaslu, Dr Harka Peak and many yet-to-be-named small peaks.

source: the himalayan times,15 August 2013