Kathmandu: Authorities have established a tourist information centre at Banskot, the gateway to the Maurice Herzog Trail in Narchang of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and the Local Conservation Area Management Committee jointly established the centre to collect data on domestic and foreign tourists visiting the area and the Annapurna North Base Camp.
The centre will maintain visitor records and provide information on the trekking route and base camp facilities. Bharat Kumar Pun, Chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality, and Robin Kadariya, Director of ACAP, jointly inaugurated the facility.
Bhim Paudel, Conservation Officer at ACAP Ghandruk, said the centre will help maintain tourist statistics, provide information on the trail and base camp, and inform trekkers about rules and guidelines.
Tej Gurung, Chairperson of the Narchang Conservation Area Management Committee, said the centre will provide domestic and international visitors with information on the Annapurna North Base Camp, the Maurice Herzog Trail, and available services and facilities.
Gurung, who also serves as engineer of the Maurice Herzog Trail, said the centre will collect visitor information, provide support to trekkers and help address problems encountered along the route. He added that one or two staff members will operate the centre and provide regular services until Tihar.
Domestic tourist arrivals to the area have increased in recent years. The Annapurna North Base Camp lies at an altitude of 4,500 metres, while the Maurice Herzog Trail leads to the base camp of Mt Annapurna I (8,091 metres). Authorities are continuing efforts to develop the trail and promote it as a tourism destination.— RSS
