Community lodges and restaurants have been established along alternative routes that Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and the local developed after the famous Annapurna Circuit trail got shortened with the advent of roads. [break]
Community lodges and home stay facilities have been brought into operation in Khiwa, Histang, Nagi, Mahare Danda of Myagdi and Banshkharka and Dandarkoti of Parbat district.
Chitra Pun of Myagdi Nagi Community Lodge said the lodge has been brought into operation to better serve the trekkers. “We have already started selling rooms though we are yet to give finishing touches to the lodge,” Pun added. He also unveiled plans to expand the lodge in the future, taking into consideration the flow of trekkers.
In Nagi, Nagi Trekking Lodge has come into operation in the initiation of Magsaysay Award winner Mahabir Pun.
Micro Enterprise Development Centre (MEDC) and Tourism Enterprise Development Centre, Baglung is providing assistance for operation of these community based enterprises.
Community-run restaurants have the capacity to cater 20 guests at a time. Similarly, hoses with home stay facilities accommodate two couples at a time.
Laxmi Pun, program officer of MEDC, Baglung, told Republica that the center has invested Rs 15 million to develop lodges and restaurants along the new trail. “Locals have contributed 40 percent of the total cost,” Pun said.
Related story
Trekking trails exploration, maintenance in TAAN priority
