India to open Nathula route for Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims

KATHMANDU, Dec 3:

Local tour operators say opening of Nathula Pass in Sikkim for Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims will not affect their business.

India is preparing to open a new route through Nathula Pass for Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims from June next year. India and China signed a bilateral agreement to open Nathula route on September 18. As per the agreement, Indian pilgrims can visit Kailash-Mansarovar area through the Nathula route in addition to the existing Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.

Kailash-Mansarovar area in Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) of China is a popular pilgrimage for Indians.

Every year thousands of Indians reach the holy site through Hilsa (Humla) and Tatopani (Sindhupalchowk) entry points along Nepal-Tibet border. Their travel plans are handled by Nepali tour operators.

Bimal Naharki, general secretary of Association of Kailash Tours Operators of Nepal (AKTON), said the opening of new route will not have much impact on the number of Indians arriving Nepal to visit Kailash-Mansarovar area. "Firstly, the route is 500 km longer than from Kathmandu.

This means pilgrims will have to travel an additional 1,000 km. Secondly, the route is very difficult as it is narrow and has many bends which make it impossible for big vehicles," he said, adding: "The other reason is weather is unfavorable. In winter, the area gets heavy snowfall and in summer fog blankets the pass thereby reducing visibility." Naharki, who owns Eco Trek Nepal, further said: "Also, Indian tour operators do not have adequate number of high altitude workers."

According to AKTON -- the representative body of tour operators handling Kailash-Mansarovar tours, around 15,000 to 20,000 Indians visit Nepal to travel to Kailash-Mansarovar area every year. Similarly, around 10,000 to 12,000 third country tourists travel to the area via Nepal.

Mahendra Rana, managing director of Tibet Kailash Treks, said the Nathula route is unlikely to open anytime soon. "Even if it opens, it will have negligible impact in our business," adding: "Some might want to explore the new route, but it won´t be popular as it difficult and longer."

C N Pandey, managing director of Samrat Travels, agreed with Rana. "Compared to Kathmandu, Sikkim is far from many Indian states. Indians will prefer to travel to Kailash-Mansarovar area through Nepal even after the opening of new route," he added.

Source: Republica