Few Observations From Karnali Visit

Karnali region always remains in center of discussion with respect to development, food security and livelihood status of people in Nepal. May be due to such reasons, every-time I visit to Karnali it comes with some sort of  new impression. Access to Karnali is not so easy, only three out of five district got road network connected to national road system; still Humla and Dolpa are deprived off road network.  My visit to two of the Karnali districts Kalikot and Jumla was slight different compared to last visit, as I reached there by Jeep(Van) this time.I hadn't traveled by road in Kalikot to Jumla sector of Karnali Highway earlier.

Kalikot was not so different when I went there after three years gap. Only change I could feel was construction of some new buildings at headquarter and bridges on the way. No good hotel in district, no electricity since last few months and scarcity of drinking and daily use water was prominent glimpse there in Kalikot. Snow covered hills were beautiful but were unable to cover the poor livelihood status of people. Ironically, District Council at Kalikot was cancelled due to fight among political cadre.

On the way to Jumla from Kalikot, some flocks of sheep,goat, buffalo and cattle were visible . Some were to load in truck for slaughter, some to pasture and some were newly brought from plain areas. We could meet road construction workers and back hoe and excavators on the way. Still road is not so easy to travel, if any vehicle slips from the narrow road, chance to be alive is very scanty.  Jumla is a unique mountain district. Many valleys, small mountains and every place reachable in a day from headquarter are typical characteristics of Jumla. Many small wooden bridges and sculptures of human,king, queen, animals and other structures were common over Tila river.

Meeting with Local Development Officer Mr Arjun B Thapa was short but sweet. Some development concepts like making view tower, para gliding,  settlement of population in patches mostly in valley areas were interesting and are matter to discuss seriously. Five Gulmeli family, five Newar family and five Thakali family if could be established in Jumla, it would be initiation of rapid development as of Mr Thapa verse. He intended Gulmeli for social harmony and development, Newar for establishing good market network and Thakali for better hotel and food facilities to attract the tourist.  Strong blow of wind and whirl of  soil particles with it made us to think of wind electricity. Some version were there to oppose it, as it  would be too expensive to construct and maintenance in Nepal. Cold water Fish (Asla) was also available in river bank of Tila like Nagma area. Mountain Potato with delicious taste is one of the identity of mountain region of Nepal, then how Jumla could be exception.

Local production of Jumla like Apple, Dry apple ( processed), Apple Brandy( processed), Phaseolus Bean, Mouth broken walnut, Jumli Marshi Rice are of high quality and taste, which are demanding attention from government. Jumli Marshi is Rice cultivated in highest altitute in Nepal ( about 2350 M above mean sea level). If these could be promoted, the economic status of people could be improved. Dolpali Silajit is one of the high value low volume product in the region. Due to many medicinal values, whoever comes Jumla don't forget to get Silajit with them.

We had a chance to meet Dr Kal Bahadur Rokaya (Chief of  Karnali Development Council). Some development prospects and  some livelihood prospects were discussed with him. He sorrily explaining the latest Nepal Airline's plane crash  and huge loss of high profile figures of Jumla. However, he was blaming  the syndicate system of ticket distribution in NA for loss of those people.

In one hand, prominent beautiful valley and beautiful people of Jumla always remains in mind, however in another hand, some bitter impression are also there. Poor hygiene, water and sanitation situation , mostly due to poor know how status and poor economic status of people could be easily felt in the area. Likewise,  poor food security status mostly governed by  high food price food and  lack of own production coupled with poor food utilization knowledge is also prominent in the region.

Hence, many opportunities are there to promote agriculture, food security and overall livelihood status of people. Investment till the date are either insufficient or misused . If government and all relevant stakeholders are serious enough to promote Karnali, it would be a region of high economic potentiality in coming days. People like us, who are working for food security of the area do not have to bother about Karnali and would not give example of Karnali every-time when we have to focus on high food insecurity situation.