MYAGDI: A cleanup campaign has been conducted along the Maurice Herzog Trek in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi, and at the base camp of Annapurna I, the 10th highest mountain in the world.
A team of nine members from the New Kanchi Barahi Youth Club of Shik, Annapurna Rural Municipality-5, and 12 members from the Janajagaran Youth Club of Gadpar, Ward No. 4, managed waste left by tourists along the base camp and the trail from Humkhola in Narchyang to the base camp.
According to Suren Gurung, leader of the initiative and director of SE Production, biodegradable waste was buried in pits, while non-biodegradable waste was collected and brought down for proper disposal.
The team, which reached the base camp on November 12, handed over three sacks of glass waste to the rural municipality on Friday.
Informational signboards were installed along the Maurice Herzog Trek, including at Humkhola, Phutphute Waterfall, and the base camp.
Dhan Kumar Paija, originally from Gharamdi, Annapurna-7, and now residing in the UK, contributed over 100,000 rupees to the cleanup campaign and the installation of the boards.
“The trail and base camp were littered with plastic, paper, cloth, steel, and glass waste,” Gurung said. “To preserve the area’s beauty, biodegradable waste was buried, and non-biodegradable waste was carried down.” Two dustbins were also installed at Phutphute Waterfall and the base camp with support from Rekha Memorial Trust.
Earlier, a cleanup campaign was conducted in October by a 19-member team from Peribharani Youth Club in Gharamdi, funded by Paija, and in early November under the leadership of Ward Member Shyam Purja of Narchyang, Annapurna-4.
Recently, a public toilet was constructed near Phutphute Waterfall under the leadership of Lalita Sherpunja from Beg, Raghuganga-1, who currently resides in Australia.
The Annapurna Base Camp, located at an altitude of 8,091 meters, has become a popular destination for domestic tourists.
Ward Chairperson Lok Bahadur Fagami of Annapurna-4 stated that approximately 5,000 domestic tourists visited the base camp this autumn season.
Tourists can enjoy the scenic banks of Mistrikhola, tall waterfalls, stunning mountain ranges, unique landscapes, rare flora, and fauna while trekking to the base camp.
One of the main attractions is the blue Panchakunda Lake at the foot of Annapurna Mountain.
The Annapurna Base Camp is preferred for short, adventurous treks, as it can be completed in just three days.
However, since there are no hotels or lodges along the Maurice Herzog Trek and at the base camp, trekkers need to carry their own food, utensils, gas, and clothing.
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