Pokhara, June 29
Culture experts and stakeholders in Pokhara, Nepal’s tourism capital, have opposed the bid of local government to open Mount Machhapuchhre to climbers.
The Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality has proposed opening the ‘virgin peak’ for climbing from the next fiscal year claiming it will help locals increase their income by properly utilising available natural resources.
Stakeholders have opposed the proposal, arguing that it might put the existence of the mountain, regarded as god by local Gurung community, at stake.
Further, the peak is complexly structured, and its beauty can be severely affected if it was opened for climbing, according to them.
Chairperson of Pokhara Tourism Council says instead of opening the Machhapuchhre, other peaks should be opened. Culture expert Tirtha Shrestha says, “The peak is too beautiful to be climbed. It is just for admiring its beauty. The proposal is entirely wrong.”
Provincial lawmaker Ramji Baral ‘Jeevan’ says the proposal should not be vehemently rejected, but sufficient discussions should be held for an appropriate decision.
