Maoist chairman calls for promotion of ‘war tourism’ while unveiling Guerilla trekking trail

UCPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who once led a violent decade-long Maoist insurgency in the country using vicious guerilla tactics against the state security forces, has appealed to the government led by his party to promote ‘war tourism’ in the country.

Speaking at a launch of a book entitled ‘The Guerilla Trekking Guide’ and a map about a new trekking trail called ‘the Guerilla Trek’ on Tuesday, the one-time reclusive leader also urged the government to come up with a long-term and sustainable plan for development of tourism in Nepal to raise the living standards of Nepali people.

The book written by an American named Alonzo Lyons retraces the path adopted by guerillas in the scenic Myagdi, Rukum, Rolpa and adjoining districts while fighting state security forces during the Maoist insurgency.

The 19-day Guerilla Trek starts from Myagdi and passes through rugged mountains, rivers, paddy fields including Thawang of Rolpa, the ‘cradle of Maoist insurgency’, and other historic hotspots of the decade-long insurgency in Rukum.

Dahal further said Nepal will only be able to achieve rapid development and growth if the recent political change the country has seen is allowed to bring about progressive transformation of economy and society.

A documentary titled ‘Journey to Yarsa’ chronicling the difficulty and pains experienced by people of Rolpa while heading up to the Himalayas in search of yarsagumba, the fungus-larvae prized in East-Asia for its aphrodisiac-like qualities, was also screened on the occasion. Nepalnews.com