Source::Rss
A joint effort was made by various organizations and locals to address the issue of garbage accumulation in the Tilicho Lake area along the Annapurna Trail. The Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality-9, Khangsar hoteliers, Annapurna Conservation Area Conservation Management Committee Khangsar, Armed Police Force Nepal Mountain Rescue Training School Humde, and local community members actively participated in the cleanliness drive.
Lekhnath Gautam, the head of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project in Manang, reported that approximately 150 kg of garbage, primarily discarded by tourists during their journey to the lake, was collected. Gautam noted that there has been an increase in the number of tourists on this trail since the outbreak of COVID-19. He highlighted that while foreign visitors tend to carry their own bags, domestic tourists are more likely to dispose of garbage haphazardly.
Dumping sites were established at various locations along the trail, but unfortunately, garbage was found scattered indiscriminately. Gautam mentioned that the most common types of waste encountered were noodle packets, biscuit wrappers, chocolate packaging, and Coca-Cola bottles. Efforts were made to manage this waste at designated dumping sites.
Tasi Gurung, the secretary of the Annapurna Conservation Area Conservation Management Committee in Khangsar, explained that plastic waste scattered along the Tilicho footpath was collected from multiple points. The increasing volume of non-biodegradable waste along the route necessitated cleaning and management initiatives. Gurung emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness and tidiness in the Tilicho Lake area to attract both domestic and foreign tourists.
During the three-day 'Pathway Cleanup' campaign, significant amounts of water bottles, Coca-Cola bottles, noodle packets, and biscuit wrappers were retrieved from the Annapurna footpath. The cleaning activities encompassed the shores of Tilicho Lake, located at an altitude of 4,919 meters, spanning from Khangsar to the lake under the Annapurna Trail.
Tilicho Lake, nestled amidst the natural beauty of the Himashringla and Nilgiri mountains, has witnessed a surge in the number of local and international visitors. Tourists are drawn to this highest lake in the world to witness the panoramic view of the Annapurna snow range. Some travelers, having reached Manang, continue their journey to Tilicho Lake, while others return to Jomsom via Khangsar and Thorangla Pass.
The Annapurna Trail commences from Bensi Sahar, the headquarters of Lamjung, passes through Chame, the headquarters of Manang, and crosses Thorang Pass before reaching Pokhara through Muktinath, Jomsom, Beni, or Ghorepani.
The Annapurna Trail is renowned as one of the top ten trekking destinations worldwide. The best seasons for trekking are considered to be from September to November and from February to April._Rss
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