Trade Leads

Nepal's western development region is a treasure trove in terms of tourism attractions. Beautiful sceneries, excellent mountain views, fast flowing rivers, tranquil lakes and unique culture and tradition of people of different ethnicities make this region one of the richest in the country in terms of tourism attractions. Unfortunately, most of the people here are yet to get benefit from the attractions. Except Pokhara, the Annapurna Region and a few other places, most of the potential areas in the region are yet to come into the attention of tourists. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve lying in Myagdi, Baglung and Rukum districts is one such area. The serve is the only protected are in the country where licensed hunting is allowed. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve was established in 1983 and gazetted in 1987. It covers an area of 1325 sq.km with altitude ranging from 2,850 meters to 5,500 meters above sea-level Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. The area's vegetation is characterized by mixed-hardwood forest at lower elevation and many plant species of drier climate to the north. Fir, pine, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, oak, juniper are some of the common trees available in the reserve. Dhorpatan is one of the prime habitats of blue sheep-the most coveted trophy for hunters. Other animals found in the reserve are leopard, Himalayan black bear, barking deer, wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur and mouse hare. Pheasants and partridge are common and their healthy population in the reserve permits controlled hunting. Endangered animals in the reserve include musk deer, wolf, red panda, cheer pheasant and Danphe- the national bird of Nepal. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation issue hunting license in six blocks in the reserve. Dhorpatan can be reached from Myagdi, Baglung and Rukum districts. But the popular trail is via Myagdi district. Trek to Dhorpatan begins with a drive to Darbang from district headquarters Beni. As this route is already popular among tourist visiting the reserve, efforts are on to re-design the route with the view of opening new trails from Dhorpatan to Dhaulagiri Base Camp, Lower and Upper Dolpa and Rukum-Rolpa to promote pilgrimage and community based tourism. Trek begins from Darbang, which is a popular market area for different villages in Myagdi and Baglung districts. On the way to Darbang, there is a natural hot spring on the banks of the Myagdi River Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. It is also a popular pilgrimage destination in the area. Takum and Dharapani are other beautiful villages on the route to Dhorpatan. Dharapani is a popular stopover where people usually have breakfast and lunch on the way to Takum. But as tea-house trekking is yet to begin in the area, groups carry food and other stuffs from Pokhara and Beni itself. This is beautiful village with around 300 households' lies on the route to the Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Takum offers magnificent views of Gurja Peak, Churen Himal, Mardi Himal, Dhaulagiri and Manapathi Peak among others. Mareni is the last stopover before Dhorpatan. It is one of the beautiful villages along the trail having great potential for tourism development. There are several vantage points in the village from where mountain views and natural sceneries can be seen. Dhorpatan is the only protected area in the country where licensed hunting of blue sheep is allowed. Though hunting contradicts with conservation efforts, officials allow hunting of a certain species in certain blocks in this protected area. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation allow interested parties to hunt only in areas where the population of blue sheep is high. Bishowkarmas are dominant community in Dhorpatan. But the population of Magars, Brahmins and Kshetries is also sizeable Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. There is a beautiful temple of Ugra Tara in Dhorpatan which is thronged by visitors during festive occasions. Those who don't like trekking can reach Dhorpatan directly via air. Single engine aircraft operate chartered flights to Dhorpatan fro Kathmandu and Pokhara. Dhorpatan can be reached via Myagdi, Baglung and Rukum districts. But the popular route is via Myagdi district. A three-day walk from Darbang- the nearest motor able road-takes visitors to Dhorpatan. From Baglung, Dhorpatan can be reached after a trek of two days from Bodang and Burtibang. Dhorpatan is a main hub of adventure tourism destination such as Dhaulagiri Base Camp and Dolpa region etc. The area holds equal potential for cultural tourism. Cultural trails to Rukum and Rolpa have been explored in recent years. Similarly, the trek to Mt. Sisne also begins from this very place. Pilgrimage trip to Swargadwari in Pyuthan district via Dhorpatan is another tourism product that has been explored in recent years.