Tourism Info Nepal

Unlocking Tourism Potential: Addressing Communication Challenges at Pike Danda and Jwalamai Temple

Unlocking Tourism Potential: Addressing Communication Challenges at Pike Danda and Jwalamai Temple

Solududhkunda Municipality-3, home to the renowned tourist destination Pike Danda and the spiritual hub Jwalamai Temple, faces severe communication challenges due to unreliable telecom services. The Nepal Telecom network’s inefficiency and the absence of alternative service providers have left locals and visitors struggling with poor connectivity, affecting tourism and religious pilgrimages.

Pike Danda: A Treasure Trove of Scenic and Tourism Potential

Perched at an altitude of 4,065 meters, Pike Danda is celebrated for its breathtaking views of peaks like Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu. The area is a hotspot for both domestic and international trekkers, offering unique opportunities to experience alpine flora like rhododendrons and medicinal plants. Trekking companies frequently organize expeditions to this region, which sees an annual footfall of around 15,000 tourists, according to local tourism entrepreneur Furwa Sherpa.

Despite its allure, the lack of robust communication services has stifled the region’s tourism potential. “While Pike Danda has emerged as an accessible trekking destination compared to Everest Base Camp, poor telecom services remain a significant barrier,” shared Sherpa.

Communication Failures Pose Risks to Visitors

Hotelier Gelu Sherpa highlighted the safety risks poor connectivity poses, recounting incidents where tourists lost contact with their groups, leading to overnight searches and delayed rescues. He recalled a tragic event five years ago when a local tourist, Purna Bahadur Khadka, lost his life after falling into a gorge due to communication lapses during a night hike.

Similar incidents underscore the dire need for reliable communication infrastructure. Villages like Tamakhani and Loding, en route to Pike Danda, face identical issues, leaving both locals and tourists in a state of frustration.

Jwalamai Temple: A Religious Epicenter in Need of Support

Jwalamai Temple, another landmark in Solududhkunda Municipality-3, draws approximately 30,000 devotees annually due to its reputation for fulfilling wishes. However, the absence of dependable communication services dampens the experience for pilgrims, who often report network issues during their visits. “Even such a revered site lacks basic connectivity, which is a glaring oversight,” noted Bhim Narayan Shrestha, a member of the temple management committee.

Local Voices Call for Change

Residents and business owners express their disappointment with the persistent lack of communication infrastructure despite repeated appeals to authorities. “Communication is as essential as roads and electricity today, yet this region remains deprived,” shared local leader Baburam Ghimire.

Sang Bahadur Magar, chairman of Pike Community Forest, emphasized the missed opportunities to promote a region brimming with tourism and religious significance.

Steps Towards Solutions

According to Raju Rana, head of Nepal Telecom’s Okhaldhunga branch, efforts to enhance capacity through the Salleri-based Chandanda radio link have been inadequate. Rana emphasized the need for a dedicated telecom tower for Pike Danda and Jwalamai Temple, which requires increased budgets and infrastructure investments.

Ward chairperson Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa criticized regulatory bodies for their indifference to the issue, stressing the importance of reliable communication for enhancing the region’s appeal. “We are prepared to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure sustainable communication solutions for these vital destinations,” he stated.

Tourism entrepreneur Dawa Sherpa also urged authorities to prioritize communication infrastructure to unlock the region’s full tourism potential.

Improved telecom services are not just a necessity for Pike Danda and Jwalamai Temple but a step toward ensuring the safety and satisfaction of visitors while boosting the local economy and preserving the area’s cultural heritage

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