Ecotourism in the Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale (TMJ) Area
There are various proposes for visiting Nepal such as holiday making pleasure seeking, trekking/mountaineering, business, pilgrimage, official mission, or conferences attendance. From the very beginning of tourism development, the majority of visitors did come to Nepal for holiday and pleasure. Most of them remained in Kathmandu valley and some other urban areas. Only those falling into categories of trekking and mountaineering visited rural remote areas. It is the latter group of tourist who will be important for economic transformations in the TMJ area. Mountain tourism, which includes scaling and peaks, has been one of the most important attributed throughout the different parts of the country. Therefore mountain tourism has been playing the dual role. Firstly it is the cause of attracting foreign visitors from all over the world who travel to different parts of the country. Secondly, it also helps to safeguard against the concentration of tourism income in only some part of the country. Although mountain tourists form a fraction compared to the national influx, they are an important component of the tourism industry.
At Basantapur, one finds in the middle of various attraction. It is the entry point of the TMJ area. Its conservation can be augmented through the promotion of both domestic and international tourism. For instance, within the area, an oriented culture where religion plays vital role in shaping the livelihood and socio-cultural behavior of people exists, at the same time, presence of religious sites of TMJ area could be a major attraction for Hindu community.
There are abundant numbers of such attraction. Which start from even below the Tinjure ridge. The first one is Pathivara temple laying parallel to Tinjure, the reflection of the main temple of Taplejung followed by, Rakne Danda at Chouki and an ancient cave called Gupha at Guphapokhari. The letter is associated with ancient legend of God Mahadev. Similarly Saba Pokhari situated at 4300 masl is one of the major pilgrim sites at high altitude. These attractions could overwhelmingly apple Nepalese as well as foreign pilgrimage.
Internationally visitors who normally seek natural and cultural environment from those they are accustomed with, could find sufficient incentives for justifying their visits and their investments. Starting from Dharan with a height of about 500 masl, and Bhedetar hill about 1400 masl, which disappearing and reappearing extends as for as Jaljale and Lumba Sumba Himal crossing through intermittent human settlements such as Chauki and Gupha before giving way to Tibet, is the home to multi-cultural Nepalese traditional society and habitat of immense biological diversity including the largest natural rhododendron forest having probably the highest rhododendron species diversity found in the world within a very small area.
The world grade rhododendron forest has been the center of attraction for many people science the opening of the country for tourism and botanical research. Rene de Milleville (1994), a French journalist has well appreciated the blooming rhododendron another major tourist attraction in TMJ.
"Finally, it must not be forgotten that if any tourist in any country of the world wants to admire beautiful blooming rhododendron forests, he has to come to Nepal, the only country of the world able to fulfill his dream."
Which is the appropriate time to visit in the TMJ area?
During March-April fascinating view of Rhododendron bloom is the prime attraction.
You can find blooming 30 different types of rhododendron species in this months. TMJ is known to host the greatest rhododendron occurrence in Nepal. According to Rene Millville, author of Rhododendrons of Nepal (2002), the "……..R. arboretum forests of Milke danda are arguably the largest rhododendron forest in the world". Beside this the area survives a surprising blend of myriad of floral species. Of them many are even endangered and rare species.
October through January is the best season to visit the area, spectacular view of the mountain and open meadows. Snow fall can be experienced in this period.
How to reach the TMJ area?
TMJ can be reached either by road all the way from Kathmandu to Basntapur via Dharan or take a half an hour flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and than using road transportation to Basantapur. Indian visitora have also similar access, either they can reach their boarder town Jogbani in Bihar and Naxal bari by bus or train and then use road transportation or take a flight to Biratnagar from patna and use local transportation means. It takes 4-hour bus journey from Dharan to Basantapur. Basantapur is a small beautiful hill station located in 2280 masl and entrance gate of the TMJ area (Rhododendron area). One can find the travel unforgettable because the panoramic landscape views from the Koshi Highway. Traveling in high altitude is always beautiful. But the important thing that we must not forget is bringing warm cloths. Woolen dress like sweater and jackets are needed any time no matter whether that is January or July.
Eco Tourism in the Tinjure -Milke- Jaljale (TMJ) Area
There are various proposes for visiting Nepal such as holiday making pleasure seeking, trekking/ mountaineering, business, pilgrimage, official mission, or conferences attendance. read more >>
At Basantapur, one finds in the middle of various attraction. It is the entry point of the TMJ area. Its conservation can be augmented through the promotion of both domestic and international tourism. For instance, within the area, an oriented culture where religion plays vital role in shaping the livelihood and socio-cultural behavior of people exists, at the same time, presence of religious sites of TMJ area could be a major attraction for Hindu community.
There are various proposes for visiting Nepal such as holiday making pleasure seeking, trekking/ mountaineering, business, pilgrimage, official mission, or conferences attendance.