GORKHA: The remote Tsum Valley in Gorkha district, continues to face dire conditions, with no roads or reliable transportation, leaving residents vulnerable and sometimes costing lives due to delayed medical care.
Chhewang Lama, a tourism entrepreneur who recently visited his home village from Kathmandu, expressed serious concern over the neglect of the area. He criticized the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), local authorities, government officials, and elected representatives for failing to deliver on repeated promises of development.
“Despite collecting significant revenue from tourists visiting Tsum Valley and Phelim and Lokpa villages, the NTB has done little for the community. There is still no proper road, not a single functional toilet, and no resting facilities along trekking trails,” Lama said.
He highlighted a life-threatening issue: because the place is close to the China-Tibet border, obtaining helicopter rescue permits can take up to four days, leaving patients without timely treatment and sometimes costing lives. Lama questioned why similar rescues in Mount Everest areas, which are also near the border, are carried out swiftly, while Tsum Valley residents continue to face deadly delays.
He also criticized the misuse of tourism revenue, alleging that funds meant for local development are being spent on government officers’ vehicles and other luxuries instead of improving roads, toilets, and basic facilities. “Even on the trekking trail, I couldn’t find a single functioning toilet or bathroom for tourists. Where is all the money going?” he asked.
Locals have urged voters to exercise their conscience in upcoming elections, demanding proper representation and urgent development in Manas. Experts say villages like Manas, despite tourism potential, remain neglected due to weak accountability and poor prioritization, underscoring the need for targeted government action and responsible local leadership.
The road condition is outdated by over 32 years; at present, the route from Phelim and Lokpa to Tsum Valley, Gorkha, remains in extremely poor condition, making travel and access to basic services even more difficult.
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