Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve lies in Rukum, Myagdi and Baglung Districts in the Dhaulagiri Himal range in West Nepal. Putha, Churen and Gurja Himal extend over the northern boundary of the reserve. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve was established in 1983 and was gazetted in 1987. Management objectives of the reserve allow sports hunting and preserve a representative high altitude ecosystem in West Nepal

Details About the Reserve:

• The reserve extends over an area of 1325 sq. km and is the only hunting reserve in the country to meet the sports hunting needs of Nepalese and foreign hunters of blue sheep and other game animals. The higher elevations remain snow-capped throughout the year. Altitudes vary from 3000 m. to more than 7000 m. The flat meadows above tree line (4000 m), locally known as Patan, is divided into six blocks for hunting management purposes.
• The reserve is surrounded by villages on all sides except the north. Local people depend on the reserve to meet their requirements for wood, fuelwood, fodder, and pasture. The refugee camp near the reserve headquarters has put more human pressure in the forest. Every year livestock grazing activities begin from February and last until October. More than 80,000 livestock enter the reserve.
• The majority of people belong to the Mongoloid race, including Magar. Thakali, and Gurung, Amalgamation of different ethnic groups has resulted in a mixed pattern of cultures.
• Dhorbaraha, a Hindu religious place on the banks or Uttarganga River near Dhorpatan, is in Fagune bloc. Every year on the day of "Janai Purnima" in August, a religious fair is held here which is attended by many local devotees. The magnificent view of Dhaulagiri Himal from Barse. Dogari and Gustung blocs are exceptional. Snag and Sundaha bloc are rich in wild animals.

Vegetation and Wildlife:

• The reserve is characterized by alpine, sub-alpine and high temperate vegetation. Common plant species include fir, pine, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, oak, juniper and spruce. Pasturelands occupy more than 50% of the total area of the reserve at higher elevations.
• The reserve is one of the prime habitats for blue sheep, a highly coveted trophy. Other animals found are : leopard, goral, serow, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bears, barking deer, wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur and mouse hare.
• Pheasants and partridge are common and their viable population in the reserve permits controlled hunting.
• Endangered Animals in the reserve include Musk deer, Wolf, Red panda, Cheer pheasant and Danphe.
• A hunting license is issued by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife conservation.

Seasons:

• The monsoon lasts until the beginning of October. Day time temperatures are very low during winter due to strong winds. Higher elevations remain covered by cloud in the morning, later cleared by the wind. Snow may occur even at low elevation until early April, however, it soon melts. The best time to visit the reserve is March-April.

How to Get There:

• Public bus service is available from Kathmandu to Tansen and Tamgash Gulmi from where the reserve HQ. is a three day walk via Burtibang.
• Flight service reaches Baglung from Kathmandu and Pokhara. The reserve HQ. can be reached in 4 days walk from Balewa, Baglung.
• A public bus can be taken to Baglung from Pokhara followed by a 4 day walk via Baglung Beni-Darbang-Lumsum and Jaljala to reach Dhorpatan.
• A helicopter charter may be available on request from Kathmandu.

Some Important Points:

• Local people are allowed to collect limited quantities of fuelwood for their use. Visitors are requested to be self-sufficient with fuel before entering the reserve. Since no medical facilities are available in the reserves, it is suggested that visitors carry a comprehensive first-aid kit including medicines for intestinal disorders. Two hotels/lodges catering simple Nepali foods are located at Chhyantung near Dhorpatan.

Entry Fees into Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve:

• Reserve fee per person per entry:
• For Nepali Nationals Rs 20
• For SAARC Nationals Rs 200
• For Foreign Nationals Rs 500
• Children under 10 years free

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Pokhara

Pokhara is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal, which is situated in the northwestern corner of the Pokhara Valley 950m above the sea, is a widening of the Seti Gandaki valley. The Seti River and its tributaries have dug impressive canyons into the valley floor, which are only visible from higher viewpoints or from the air. Specially Pokhara is famous for its lakes and magnificient views of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Makalu Machhapurche etc. The natural beauty of its lakeside location and its proximity to the mountains has made in the natural choice for trekkers and adventures. Pokhara is also the base for some of most famous trekking circuits of Nepal. By itself surrounding area provides sample scope for short walk and day trips, suitable for children or weary trekkers that can be made around the valley. There is another fantastic moment, hiking from Sarangkot to Phawa Lake.

Major attraction of Pokhara

Phewa Lake

Phewa Lake is the center of all attraction in Pokhara. This is the largest and most enchanting of three lakes that add to the resplendence of Pokhara. Here, boting around lake and visit the island temple (Barahi) in the middle of the Phawa lake. Phewa lake and water sports is the main tourist attraction of Pokhara city and the north shore of the lake has developed into a tourist district, commonly called Lake-side, with hotels, resturants and bars catering to the tourists.

Devi’s Fall

Another of nature’s wonders,Locally known as Patale Chango (Hell’s Falls) also know as Devins and Davids is a lovely Waterfall is about 2 km south West of Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway. Legend has it that a trekker by the name of Davy, was washed away by the Padi Khola and mysteriously disappeared down into an underground passage beneath the fall.

Seti Gandaki Gorge

Another of Pokhara natural wonders is the Seti Gandaki River. Flowing right through the city, the boisterous river runs underground at places. Amazingly, at certain places the river appears hardly two meters wide. However, its depth is quite beyond imagination, over 20m.

Barahi Temple

The Barahi called "island temple" temple is the most important monument in Pokhara. Built almost in the Center of Fewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protector deity representing the female force of Shakti.

Mahendra Cave

Mahendra gufa, This large limestone cave is locally known a s the House of Bats an apt name for it. A two- hours walk to the north of Pokhara, it is best to bring our own torch to see the stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the local winged residents.

Mountain Views

The natural beautiful of Pokhara Provides the panoramic view of Annapurna Region, Dhaulagiri, Machapurche and other small peaks.

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Dhulikhel stupa

Dhulikhel is rich in plethora of cultural diversities, interesting traditional practices, lush vegetation and rich birdlife. Dhulikhel (1440m.) is a small town with a long history. According to the records it has been around for more than 500 years. The artistic skill and urban ethos of its Newar inhabitants have created a place of charm and beauty. Streets are lined with bare-brick houses, carved wooden windows, sloping roofs, pagoda temples and sacred statues everywhere which are profuse wood carvings. Namo Buddha (famous Monastery) is situated on a hill above Panauti and requires either drive or good hike, walk is recommended to visit this place. 

This is one of the Buddhist Pilgrimage located in Kavre District about 38 km east of Kathmandu. The Stupa and shrines built in this lovely little hill mark a very ancient holy site significantly enough where a legendary prince named Mahasattva offered himself to a starving Tigress with its several underfed cubs. This legendary episode is depicted in a very nice stone slab and placed right next to a holy Stupa.

Dhulikhel has for many centuries been an important trading centre on the ancient commercial route linking Nepal to Tibet. Since time immemorial, people of Nepal travel to Tibet to bring home salt and gold. Likewise, the Tibetans every year with their flocks of sheep enter into Nepal during Dashain, the greatest Hindu festival. They purchased chilies and other daily necessities in Nepal and return to their homeland. In those days, a whole day walk from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel was comfortable for Tibet trippers with easily available of food and water at Dhulikhel at the evening for overnight stay. Even now, a bird's eye view from the resorts at Dhulikhel to the landscapes; highway to Tibet and horizons far to the Tibetan Borders, clearly exhibits Dhulikhel as the gateway of Tibet. After adjoining with Tibet by motorable road in 1965, Dhulikhel got a face lift and developed as a tourist destination both for Tibet trippers and tourists. Dhulikhel is an ideal station to stop overnight stay while going to Tibet and coming back to Kathmandu.                                                                                                             

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Janaki Mandir

Janaki Mandir is a Hindu temple located at the heart of Janakpur, Nepal. It is dedicated to goddess Sita.
It is an example of 'Hindu-Rajput' architecture. This is considered as the most important model of the Rajput architecture in Nepal.

History

The Janaki Mandir was built by Queen Brisabhanu Kunwari of Tikamgarh from central India in AD 1911, at a cost of Rupees 900,000. In local parlance, the temple is also called Nau Lakha Mandir or Temple of Nine Lakh Rupees.
In 1657, a golden statue of the Goddess Sita was found at the very spot, and Sita is also said to have lived there. The legend had it that it was built on the holy site where Sannyasi Shurkishordas had found the images of Goddess Sita. In fact, Shurkishordas was the founder of modern Janakpur and the great saint and poet who preached about the Sita Upasana (also called Sita Upanishad) philosophy. Legend has it that King Janaka performed the worship of 'Shiva-Dhanus' on this very site.

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