A three-day Trail-based Tourism Development, Promotion and Management Training, organized to support the promotion of the newly explored Buddha Himal–Himalchuli Great Lakes Circuit (BHHGLC) Trail, concluded at Bhachek Bazaar of Ajirkot Rural Municipality, Gorkha. The training concluded with two major outcomes: the preparation of a comprehensive five-year trail development, promotion and management action plan and the formation of a dedicated trail-based tourism committee. The BHHGLC Trail, regarded as a promising new tourism product, passes through five rural municipalities across Gorkha and Lamjung districts, linking natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and high-altitude lake systems.
The training program was jointly organized by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Sustainable Tourism Project (STP), in partnership with the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). The initiative was implemented in close collaboration with the five concerned rural municipalities: Barpak Sulikot RM and Ajirkot RM of Gorkha district, and Dudhpokhari RM, Dordi RM, and Marsyangdi RM of Lamjung district. The collaboration reflects a strong model of multi-stakeholder partnership involving federal tourism authorities, international development partners, local governments, and the private sector.
Strengthening Local Capacity for Trail-based Tourism
The primary objective of the training was to strengthen the capacity of key trail-based tourism stakeholders responsible for the development, promotion, and long-term management of the newly explored BHHGLC Trail. A total of 25 participants took part in the program, including Vice Chairpersons of all five rural municipalities, tourism entrepreneurs, community forest and non-timber forest product (NTFP) user committee members, livestock entrepreneurs, cultural group representatives, and tourism focal persons from the respective local governments. The diverse participation ensured that economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions of tourism development were addressed in an integrated manner.
Throughout the three days, participants engaged in interactive sessions covering trail planning, destination branding, community-based tourism models, environmental conservation, governance mechanisms, and sustainable visitor management. The training emphasized the importance of local ownership, inclusive participation, and coordination among stakeholders to ensure that tourism development delivers tangible benefits to local communities while preserving natural and cultural assets.
Closing Ceremony and Institutional Milestones
The closing ceremony, held today in Bhachek Bazaar, Ajirkot, was attended by TAAN President Mr. Sagar Pandey and the Chairpersons of all five participating rural municipalities: Mr. Bishnu Bhatta (Barpak Sulikot RM), Mr. Deepak Devkota (Ajirkot RM), Mr. Dhan Prasad (Dudhpokhari RM), Mr. Yubaraj Adhikari (Dordi RM), and Mr. Arjun Gurung (Marsyangdi RM). Also present at the ceremony was Mr. Dhan Bahadur Gurung, TAAN Immediate Past 2nd Vice President and Tourism Ambassador of Ajirkot RM.
During the ceremony, all participants were awarded training completion certificates, recognizing their commitment to advancing trail-based tourism in the region. In the closing session, participants formally presented the five-year action plan, outlining strategic priorities for infrastructure improvement, product development, marketing, institutional coordination, and environmental management along the BHHGLC Trail.
Formation of the Trail Development Committee
A key highlight of the program was the formation of a 21-member Buddha Himal–Himalchuli Great Lakes Circuit Trail Development, Promotion and Management Committee. The committee will be led by a Vice Chairperson of one of the rural municipalities on a rotational basis, ensuring shared leadership and ownership. Its membership includes four Vice Chairpersons, five tourism entrepreneurs (one from each RM), five representatives from forest, NTFP, pasture, and cultural sectors, five members from the tourism or economic development sections of the respective rural municipalities, and one legal expert.
The committee is expected to play a pivotal role in coordinating trail development activities, mobilizing resources, and ensuring sustainable management practices. The training program was coordinated by TAAN Executive Committee Members Mr. Ambir Bahadur Gurung and Ms. Pabitra Tamang, facilitated by technical resource persons Dr. Chetnath Kanel and Er. Krishna Gautam, and managed by TAAN Project Coordinator Mr. Yuba Raj Lama. The closing ceremony was facilitated by TAAN EC Member Mr. Raju Gurung, while Mr. Rajendra Amgain, TAAN EC Member, delivered the welcome remarks.
Stakeholders expressed confidence that the training outcomes and newly formed institutional mechanisms will significantly contribute to positioning the BHHGLC Trail as a sustainable and attractive trekking destination, fostering local livelihoods while promoting responsible tourism development in Gorkha and Lamjung.
