Dhorpatan: Tourism Potentiality

"Deurali" is a gateway into Dhorpatan valley from Baglung – Burtibang - Bobang trek route. It elevates approximately from 3000 to 7000 m. above sea level in north-west of Baglung district. The peaceful valley is covered normally by snow in the winter season from January to February. It would be suitable for skiing. Habitants shift to their lower settlements before winter starts with their domestic animals, and vice versa. The valley turns into a beautiful landscapes with colorful green carpets everywhere and possesses pleasant weather in other seasons except rainy seasons. Beautiful sceneries and picturesque landscapes are seen from any of the surrounding peaks. Putha, Churen and Gurja Himal extend over the northern boundary.

One of the main attractions of Dhorpatan is the Hunting Reserve which stretches into Rukum, Myagdi and Baglung districts. The Reserve was established in 1983 (2039 B.S.) and was gazetted in 1987 (2044 B.S.) whose main objectives are to allow sports hunting and preserve various high altitude ecosystem in that region. The reserve has been separated in seven different blocks for proper hunting management. It covers an area of 1325 sq. km and is famous among foreigners for hunting blue sheep, a highly coveted trophy and other game animals. Many foreigners come for trophy hunting each year. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation issues the hunting license.

In fact, the valley is a marshland meadow. Thousands of domestic animals such as sheep, donkeys, buffalos, cows, goats, horses are seen grazing in the open fields. In the jungle, leopard, goral, serow, himalayan tahr, hirnalayan black bear, barking deer, wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur and mouse hare are found. Pheasants and partridge are common. Similarly, endangered species like musk deer, wolf, red panda, cheer pheasant and danphe are found here.

A festival is observed in Janai Purnima each year in Uttarganga in which a lot of pilgrims come from surrounding villages and districts to worship the Baraha, a hindu god. It is an important religious site, and has a potentiality of domestic religious tourism.

A river, Uttarganga originates and flows towards the north through the valley and meets another river from the east and jointly moves smoothly towards the west of the valley. This river would produce electricity of around 300 MW, in that case the valley would be transformed into a huge scenic lake. That would be a great manmade tourism attraction. But, it's a distant dream.

Magar, Kami, Nauthar live here creating a mixed pattern of cultures. They do farming and animal husbandry. There is abundance of herbs. The systematic farming of herbs also could be a lucrative source of income. The Tibetan refugee camp near the reserve is another attraction. Fluttering prayer flags above their settlement are unique identity of them. Bonpo monastery in Chhentung at the rear end of the valley is also a place to visit.

Simple lodging and fooding facilities are available in Dhorpatan valley. Camping is another option. Home-stay accommodations could be started with proper training to the villagers. The congregated villages are suitable for such facilities.

Limited telephone lines are available, and some of them are not working properly. They are just operators, and can't fix even simple problems. The only source of electricity is the solar-power. Some hotels and the office of the hunting reserve have installed solar-power for lighting.

A rough road has been constructed upto Burtibang, Budathok and then it takes one day’s trek to Dhorpatan. This road is supposed to be the mid-hill-highway which passes through Dhorpatan. An airport was operational in 1962 to 1972 but now no more in operation. There are other trekking routes as well from Mustang and Palpa towards Dhorpatan.