Jumla and Kalikot although are adjacent districts of Karnali zone varies to a great extent regarding the geographical, climatic and social aspects. This amazing zone integrates both the part of heaven and hell within its small territory.
I spent almost nine months at the HQ of Karnali zone, Jumla during my job on RAP3 and had a chance to visit most of the touristic area within the district. Beside the official work during the visit I knowingly or unknowingly also had a chance to understand the socio-cultural aspects of the district. I really liked Jumla, truly a part of heaven.
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Guthichaur, Jumla
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| Khali, Jumla |
The touristic places like Khali, Guthichaur, Chhumchaur, Gachhusangu and Manisanghu are worth visiting once. The scenario view of these places at the time of snow as well as at the time of green grass are mind-blowing. Due to the presence of small to large valleys in addition with the availability of the sources of water within the district, I’ve seen the best utilization of irrigated land in the cultivation of apple, paddy, maize, wheat, cereals and vegetables. It is the Chhumchaur which is the place where paddy is cultivated at the highest altitude around the world. People migrate to Patan in search of hervals, Jadibuttu, Yarsa, etc. for around two months every year and finds a good source of income.
Also, I found different micro
hydropower although not connected with the national grid but having the
capacity to supply required energy needed for the district. The HQ Khalanga
located in Chandanath Municipality has almost buildings two to three stored, many
recently made are engineered RCC and others are of stones. It became possible
when the district had an access through road since few couple of years. You can
do a shopping at Khalanga Bazzar where every items of goods are available at
reasonable price although you may not get opportunity to choose among many of
them. The Chandanath temple is also situated at the HQ which is one of the
oldest and famous religious place. Every year in the day Ghatasthapana, the
tall wooden poles are changed by locals with a great worship and celebration at
the temple.
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| view from Manma, Kalikot |
Unlike Jumla, Kalikot
where I am now posted since 3 months ago is resource less, rocky, infertile and
risky area. Manma, the HQ of Kalikot is situated at the ridge of hill with narrow
surface area. Although the road to Jumla is connected through Kalikot, due the
lack of space to extend the market and presence of gigantic rocks Kalikot
remained back in market extension.
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| Lalighat, Kalikot |
Further, the construction of building is too
haphazard with no proper design. One of the cause for this may be due to non-compliance
in use of building laws in the VDC Manma unlike in Municipality districts. The
district is out of electricity since last 6 months when the electricity had
come for only about two months for the first time. Most of the people and
offices uses solar power as an only source of electricity. Also, the sources of income of the people is
either to migrate to India for employment or to cultivate in small part of land
and hardly fulfill need of themselves. Due to the reason people here has an
attitude of theft, loot and blackmailing.
Similarly, I wonder most of the people
here do not involve in the religious activities often rather drink alcohol and
conduct quarrels and crime in the home and with the neighbors. In addition, here
is less rainfall and negligible snowfall resulting in the absence of moisture
in the air and so you often feel thirsty here. Further, here is no any
touristic places with greenery view neither with the white snow. Only you see
is the steep terrain with virgin Karnali flowing down.
Thus, within the small variation in the geo-location, I
haven’t ever found such places where climatic, geography and social condition are
fully out of phase. You can experience a different world by traveling only 5
hours vehicular distance from Kalikot to Jumla.
