March 3: Stakeholders have identified three new trekking routes in Mustang as alternatives to the traditional route displaced by the construction of roads. As the dust makes it difficult for trekkers to travel on the usual routes, tourists have been demanding a route where they can enjoy nature without any disturbance.    

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) believes that the three new routes will help to increase the arrival of tourists as well as to prolong their stay.    
The trekking routes identified by ACAP include the routes connecting Lupra and Muktinath, Thini and Tilicho Lake as well as Kokhethati and Dhumbatal via Sirkung, Sauru, Chokhopani and Chimang.

ACAP Ranger Sanjok Thakali said infrastructure construction, publicity and promotion have been started accordingly.
The old trekking routes have been displaced due to Beni-Jomsom and Jomsom-Kagbeni-Muktinath roads.
Trekking Guide Hari Nepali from Lete, Mustang, said that the number of foreign tourists coming for trekking in Mustang has decreased after the construction of the road in the district. However, the arrival of domestic and Indian tourists has increased.    
According to ACAP Jomsom, 29.12 percent of foreign tourists visited Mustang in 2022, but in 2023 that number decreased to 19.20 percent. In 2023, a total of 90,365 tourists arrived in Mustang which included 18,166 from the third countries and 72,190 from SAARC countries, said Pramodraj Regmi, head of ACAP Jomsom.    
An entry fee of Rs 1,000 per person has been set for SAARC countries and Rs 3,000 per person for visitors from other countries visiting the ACAP area, which includes Lamjung, Kaski, Manang, Mustang and Myagdi districts of Gandaki Province. -- RSS