Myagdi. There is a problem for tourists due to the lack of footpaths leading to the snow leopard cave in Gharpazhong rural municipality-5 Thini of Mustang. The snow leopard cave, which has the potential to attract tourists and extend their stay, has been overshadowed due to the lack of infrastructure.
After the footpath built uphill from the Jomsom-Thini-Dhumbatal road to the cave has collapsed, tourists are having trouble reaching there. It is said that if about 300 meters of footpath can be constructed, it will be easy for tourists to come and go.
Niraj Thakali, a resident of Thini, said that if there is an organized footpath leading from Thini to the cave on the Jomsom-Thini-Dhumbatal road, which is being paved, it will be convenient for tourists. “Many people are interested in the relationship between the snow leopard and the cave because the cave is named after the snow leopard,” he said. At that time, four snow leopards were caught on camera, so the relationship between the cave and the snow leopard was confirmed.”
Thakali said that the rare wild animal snow leopard comes to the area where the cave is located and because both the cave and the snow leopard are propagated, it is named as ‘Snow Leopard Cave’. The endangered snow leopard is found only in 12 countries of the world including the Himalayan region of Nepal.
After traveling for 10 minutes by car from Jomsom market via Thini and walking for 5 minutes, you will reach the cave. V.S. In 2071, three caves were found while removing the soil released during the construction of the garden. Various natural features can be seen inside the cave which is more than 10 meters long. The added attraction here is to see Thini village and Jomsom market from inside the cave.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project 9ACAP0, Nepal Tourism Board and Gharpazhong Rural Municipality built benches for tourists at the entrance, footpath and cave complex. The problem has arisen after the footpath leading from the entrance to the cave has collapsed due to heavy rains.
Head of Tourism and Industry Office Mustang, Prem Prasad Paudel informed that 20 million budget has been allocated in the current financial year for the construction of infrastructure including the footpath connecting the snow leopard cave. He said that after the construction of the footpath from the budget allocated by the state government, it will be easier for tourists and the arrival will increase. Rasas
