RUKUM-Nepal

­­­Rukum, though being considered remote and neglected by the Government of Nepal in the time of centralizing governance policy towards development, is rich in biodiversity, diverse cultures and traditions that are one of the major supports for tourism development. Located in the northern part of Nepal’s Rapti Hills, Rukum covers a topographical area of 2877 sq. km at an elevation of 662m- 6925m. The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (the only hunting reserve in Nepal) lies on the eastern side of the district and covers more than half of the total area of 1325 sq. km.

Travelling from Kathmandu and Nepalgunj through air travel has been the major way of transportation as Rapti Highway is on verge of completion to connect Musikot from Mahendra highway towards south through Surkhet, Salyan and Dang districts. There are 2 airports, one near Musikot and the other at Bijayshowri V.D.C, the border to Salyan district.

Rich in cultural tradition, Magars are the largest ethnic groups who speak specific language known as “Kham” which itself has 3 dialects: Parbate (alpine) Kham, Gamale Kham, Sheshi Kham. Some of the Magars believe their ancestors were originated in Komakhar and Pelmakhar caves near what today is the border between Hukam and Ranmamaikot VDC’s in eastern Rukum, from where they migrated throughout Nepal. Magars honor their ancestral spirits on full moon days of the months of Jestha (May/June) and Shrawan (July/Aug) where they offer hundreds of uncastrated male sheeps (Rams) at Jaljala Devi Mountain shrine of Kaila Baraha in North East Rolpa district. People generally follow Hinduism yet a characteristic “Animism” religion is observed which states that all objects of nature possess souls. During the holy festivals and rituals people celebrate performing various ritual dances like BhumeNaach, SingaruNaach, JhyaureNaach, MayurNaach and others with a hope that their God gives them enough strength and bliss in their darkest hours. The Shamanic practices in rukum district isregarded as a common healing practices of both Hinduism and Buddhism. The shamans seek to bring peace, love and harmony to those who suffer from disease and can distinguish the patients who are suffering from the diseases that needs to be cured by medical doctors. This sort of cultures which the tribals of Rukum did at the past even exists today as well.

Regarding the economic economic condition in Rukum district, at present deserves to be mainly the remittances as many youths are been recruited to Indian Army and British Gurkha Services. Besides, the people of NorthenRukum perform sheep herding rather than farming. In summer months traditional agreements for sheep herding is made to graze the sheep in higher altitude VDC’s from lower altitude VDC’s. Men tend the sheep and women weave blankets which are sold in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Baglung and other main sites. Some people also use sheep to carry small commercial amounts of food stuffs to sell at home areas. Local residents insist that they had a better standard of living once. The district was famous for one of the finest hashish productions whose quality was renowned through the world until 1976 when Government of Nepal enacted Drug, Trafficking and Abuse Act, prohibiting production, sales and distribution of hashish. At present YarchaGumba( Cordicepssinensis)has overtaken hashish as a source of local cash income and is marketed to China.

Rukumkot, which once was the district’s main headquarter is a flat wide site with small ponds and ditches with high peaks and is also known as the land of 52 lakes (some evaporated) and 53 peaks. The HiunchuliPatan/ Sisne mountain ranges from 5841m to 6925m throughout Gautamkot, Sisne, Jang and Ranmamaikot VDC’s and is believed to be virgin mountain. Sundaha, Warmi lake are some of the high altitude lakes which are freshwater and oligotrophic in nutrient contents.The other water resources present in Rukum district to name few are syarpu lake, kamaldaha, uttarganga, sanibheri river and few others have hydrological, socio-cultural and religious values and rich biodiversity. The wetlands of high Himalayan and hilly areas are important sources and resources for water, livelihoods, ecosystem balance, biodiversity storehouses and regulators of weather.

Rukum declared as one of the Red Zonal Area during Maoist insurgency lost one third of the total deaths in Nepal upto mid Feb 2003. The Government of Nepal can develop this district as another destination for study and war tourism. Rukum awaits a political track; the authority that conserves biodiversity and cultural heritage of the high mountains and deep valleys along with enhancing the livelihoods of the local people by securing their traditional rights through integrated management of land, forest and water resources.