Tag: Grassroots perspectives

It wasn’t until we came to Ghandruk, a village of Gurung (Ghurkha) people, that I managed another interview.  This is a large village, around 6000 people, with many challenges but very good community organisation.  With early support from the Annapurna Conservation Area Programme (ACAP) they have a strong community forestry programme and other positive initiatives. Unfortunately the local ACAP building, like others in the region, was demolished by the Maoists a few years ago and the ACAP workers fled to Pokhara. A lot of good work has been undone through such actions.

Soon after we arrived a massive thunderstorm descended over the village. After the rain cleared we went for a walk, asking after local people who I might be able to interview. We were directed to Kisam Gurung. We met and talked with Kisam Gurung that afternoon and interviewed him the next morning. He is a local leader and lodge owner. He informed us of positive initiatives within Ghandruk, including on-going community engagement with the community forestry programme initiated by ACAP. With the building of the road through the Kali Gandaki there is already increased presence of trekkers in this village, and that is likely to increase as alternative trekking routes are used. How the locals manage such pressures will be vital to their future.

After talking with Kisam Gurung his eldest daughter, Alisha Gurung, took us on a quick tour of the village.  Alisha is only 10 years old but clearly very bright, very socially aware and very strong minded. A future leader. A young tree that has potential to grow tall and strong.  It was a pleasure to meet this family.

We then walked out to the road end at Birethanti and on to Pokhara.

From Tatopani we climbed towards Ghoropani. We only got as far as Shikha village before a thunderstorm hit, so stopped there for the night. Next day we climbed to Ghoropani where, arriving early, we were able to get some washing done. Next morning (21 April) we were up at 4.30am to watch the sunrise over Poon Hill. We descended for breakfast before setting out for Tadopani, feeling very energetic and running through the rhododendron forest.

After Marpha we had a long walk down through the Kali Gandaki valley to the village of Ghasa. For most of this walk we managed to avoid the road. From Ghasa to Tatopani the stupidity of the road became too much for me… so out came the camera as I filmed some of what I was seeing and shared my thoughts. This road was becoming a powerful metaphor for all the bad decision making in the world that ignores the obvious power of nature and benefits of working in harmony with local environments and wisdom of local people.

What direction do we want to go in? Do we want to be connected with, and working with nature. Or do we want to continue with the belief that we can dominate nature? The age of cheap oil has given us a false sense of our power, and it has fostered both laziness and greed.

Yesterday we walked to Jomson and then today a short walk to Marpha. What a contrast already to the first part of our trek up the Marshyangdi Valley to Manang and then over Thurong La pass. We saw signs of road building, but nothing like we encountered as we walked down from Muktinath into the Kali Gandaki Valley. Tractors pulling trailers carrying local people, motorbikes … not a lot as yet, but enough to disturb the peace and solitude of walking.

In Marpha Village we met with Mr Bhakti Hirachan.  We walked above Marpha to a spot with a commanding view of the village and Kali Gandaki river, where we stopped for a while.  He talked about the issues they’re faced with, as well as the positive things they are doing. While they are observing changes with climate, the biggest issue at present is the development of the road. Mr Bhakti has been opposed to the road and still is. He believes it will create more environmental problems.  I agree with him.

I offered to write my reflections for him, which included the following:

Of far greater importance than the road in the Annapurna region is the need for reafforestation. If I consider the needs for:

1)      environmental protection

2)      sustainable fuel supplies

3)      water resources protection

4)      natural beauty protection

5)      sustainable local economies

6)      social well-being

then I find far more reasons to be funding reafforestation rather than road building.  All of the above matter hugely in developing resilient communities in the face of climate change and other issues.

Marpha Village is a beautiful place, and has a very strong community.

“We have a very powerful women’s group called the Mothers’ Group and also a Youth Group who have been instrumental in promoting and implementing environmental management practices. The Mothers’ Group has been crucial in promoting planting of deforested areas, waste management and safe drinking water. The Youth group has been the effective voice in encouraging young people to be actively involved in the community work, preserving the environment and culture.” Mr. Bhakti Hirachan

They have worked as a community to protect their unique environment. How they cope with the challenges and changes that the road brings remains to be seen.

Karma and I barely slept. The altitude and cold, dry air were affecting my breathing and I was concerned about Lena. Karma was worrying about Lena all through the night. About 4.10am I had Karma outside my door. We went and checked on Lena. She was feeling OK, no more headaches or vomiting. The decision was to get up and go.

I can barely put in words the challenge of this day. The long, slow, 1000m climb to Thorong La Pass (over 5400m); the sense of relief and emotion when we reached the top; the sheer guts and determination from Lena; the incredible strength of Ali, who at 13 years old has to be one of the youngest foreigners ever to do this crossing … who Karma originally didn’t believe could do it when he heard her age, but he did believe when he saw what good walkers both girls are. And for me, an end to any doubt I had about my ability to do this at 48 years old and completing something I had originally been drawn to 24 years ago.