Upper Mustang getting an airport

A feasibility study has been started for a proposed airport in Lo-Ghekar Damodar Kunda rural municipality in Upper Mustang. Work on the proposed site, about 4,000 meters above the sea level, started after Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai visited the site two weeks ago. Last year, the ministry had conducted a preliminary survey of the proposed airport.

Prem Prasad Tulachan, a federal lawmaker from the district of Mustang, informs that the tourism ministry has formed a technical team of two civil engineers Naresh Siwakoti and Prakash Shrestha for the feasibility study. The team commenced work on a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on November 9. In addition to the engineer-duo, Chairman Bista, other elected representatives and locals are involved in the feasibility study.

Engineer Siwakoti says there will be a three-day survey as part of the feasibility study. He adds an appropriate site for a runway would be chosen after researching the area and the surrounding hills.

The tourism ministry launched the feasibility study as the area has huge open lands suitable for an airport. Minister Bhattarai says he does not anticipate problems as airports have been built in many high altitude areas around the world.

Upper Mustang is famous for its religious, cultural, geological and bio-diversity. The region has also made significant strides in developing agriculture, livestock and tourism sectors. The government is building the airport targeting tourists to religious sites, particularly the Domadar Kunda (lake).

Indradhara Bista, a provincial MP of Gandaki Province, says air services are essential for Upper Mustang’s development. The federal and provincial governments are expanding road networks in the region with a view to opening the North Korala border point with China, he says. Bista adds that the team is also working on other physical infrastructures—related to security, communications, electricity, etc—necessary for the operation of a customs office.

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Ghasa turning into a bird watching center

Bird observation area in Ghasa forest in Thasang, Mustang  |  PHOTO: Sundarkumar Thakali

Jomsom : Elected representatives and locals of Ghasa in Thasang, Mustang have launched an initiative to make good use of the area’s environmental diversity and attract tourists. The idea is to develop a forest on the western side of Ghasa as a bird watching and canyoning site.

Bishal Sherchan, the ward chairman and president of a conservation management committee, says there are 474 bird and 226 plant species in Mustang. He adds that the jungle to the north of Ghasa is home to six unique species of birds. Likewise, Prem Prasad Tulachan, the federal lawmaker, stresses the importance of conserving natural resources to promote tourism in Ghasa.