MYAGDI: A government initiative has recently taken place which formally promotes the North Annapurna Base Camp located in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Myagdi.

Maurice Herzog and his team were the first to set foot on Mt Annapurna I (8,091 metres) on June 3, 1950, three years before Mt Everest was summitted.

Following Herzog's footsteps in promoting the northern base camp situated at 4,190 metres above the sea level, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), along with Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) had lent their support for the search and promotion of the area.

A view of Narchang Lake located at a height of 4,190 metres near North Annapurna Base Camp, Myagdi. Photo: Rup Narayan Dhakal/THT

However, the southern base camp located in Kaski district has been more popular among the trekkers. Therefore, the associations are now carrying out the promotional campaign of the northern base camp, said Dam Bahadur Pun, Chair of Annapurna Rural Municipality in Myagdi.

Pun said the campaign includes widening the trekker’s route and also including the route in the guide map. He added that 16 local teams including technicians have recently returned from an inspection of the base camp.

Also at the site near the base camp is a lake which is 1.4 kilometres wide. The caves, waterfalls, forest, flora and fauna in the region altogether makes for a wonderful sight.

Chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Narchyang, Chandra Prasad Fagami said that the central government should concentrate on developing and promoting the trail as well as the lake.