A one week traditional food skills development program has been launched in Marang village of Lo Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality, Upper Mustang, to strengthen community based tourism and improve local homestay services. The training focuses on preparing traditional dishes using indigenous crops and locally available food products, helping residents develop skills that can enhance the visitor experience.
Organized by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Lo manthang, the programme targets Lo Marang Community Homestay operators, tourism entrepreneurs and local households. It also aims to connect residents of the geographically remote village with tourism opportunities while preserving traditional food practices and supporting local livelihoods.
Traditional Food Training Targets Local Homestay Operators
The training was launched on Sunday with technical support from the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), through the Annapurna Conservation Area Project’s Area Conservation Office in Lomanthang, and coordination with the Lo Marang Community Homestay. Lo Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality Chairperson Lopsang Chhomphel Bista inaugurated the programme, expressing confidence that the training would help improve local livelihoods and income opportunities.
The initiative is designed to strengthen the cooking skills and capacity of households already operating community homestays, as well as other residents interested in tourism. By introducing participants to traditional food preparation, the programme seeks to make local cuisine an important part of the hospitality experience in Upper Mustang. It also emphasizes the value of preserving indigenous agricultural products and incorporating them into services offered to visitors.
Twenty Eight Households Participate in the Programme
Marang village has 48 households, of which 18 operate homestays. A total of 28 households are participating in the food skills development programme, demonstrating interest beyond the families directly involved in homestay operations. The participants include members of the Marang Community Homestay and tourism entrepreneurs and local residents from Charang, Ghami, Yara and Ghara villages.
Improving homestay promotion, raising service quality and encouraging the use of traditional crops are among the programme’s main objectives. The training is also expected to help participants develop practical skills that can support additional income opportunities. Strengthening local hospitality services could make community homestays more attractive to visitors seeking authentic cultural and culinary experiences.
Indigenous Crops and Local Meat Dishes Feature in Training
Participants will learn to prepare a variety of traditional dishes using locally grown crops, including buckwheat, uwa, barley, wheat, maize, beans and other indigenous food products. The programme also includes training in meat based dishes prepared from Chyangra, yak and local chicken. These ingredients reflect the agricultural and livestock traditions of the Mustang region.
By developing practical knowledge of local recipes, the training aims to encourage the continued use and promotion of traditional food resources. Incorporating these dishes into homestay menus can help visitors experience the region’s food culture while creating greater value for locally produced agricultural and livestock products. The initiative therefore links culinary heritage with tourism services and community livelihoods.
Marang Holds Cultural and Tourism Potential
Marang is known for its religious, cultural and natural attractions, including Lo Ghekar Monastery, also known as Ghar Gompa, which is described in the source as one of the world’s oldest monasteries. Despite its heritage and scenic surroundings, the village remains relatively less known because of limited promotion. Its cultural identity and traditional way of life offer opportunities to develop tourism experiences beyond the region’s better known destinations.
Located near the Jomsom Korala road, Marang lies approximately five kilometres west of Tsarang. Many residents depend on agriculture and livestock farming for their livelihoods, while ACAP Lomanthang has been providing technical assistance to help connect local communities with tourism, including homestay operations. The food skills programme is another step towards strengthening local participation in tourism while promoting Marang’s distinctive cultural and culinary heritage.
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