Niseldhor, the furthest village from the Baglung market, boasts a unique culture, customs, and lifestyle distinct from the rest of the region. Despite being recognized as the most remote area in Baglung, it holds immense potential for tourism.
Located within Nepal’s only Dhorpatan hunting reserve, Niseldhor has been traditionally known for livestock breeding, agriculture, tourism, and herbal production. However, it has suffered from a lack of development for years, leaving its residents devoid of even the most basic amenities. Though a road connection was established some time ago, electricity, healthcare, and quality education have yet to reach this village.
Most of the locals seek shelter in Tuki overnight, as reaching the village center from Niseldhor in Nisikhola Rural Municipality-5 takes nearly a day. Due to the absence of a direct road network, one must travel through Burtibang Bazar, the center of Dhorpatan Municipality, to reach Niseldhor.
Previously, the locals used to migrate between Bensi (Nisigaon) in winter and Lake (Niseldhor) in summer. However, in recent years, they have chosen to settle permanently in Niseldhor rather than following seasonal migrations. Approximately 60 families now reside permanently in the village, while during the rainy season, more than 400 families temporarily reside there. Bir Bahadur Wik, a local resident, stated that 25 families are currently living in Niseldhor.
Life in Niseldhor becomes challenging during the cold weather. “Due to the extreme cold, we are unable to work outside in the morning and evening. We rely on firewood and lamps for illumination throughout the night. It’s disheartening to see that electricity hasn’t reached this place, despite the road being established. We have been neglected,” expressed Vic, a resident. The locals have repeatedly appealed to the authorities to supply electricity to Niseldhor but have been met with indifference.
Domestic tourists frequently visit Niseldhor, attracted by its natural beauty. However, the lack of electricity facilities has caused them to leave without staying overnight. Maniram Ghartimagar, another resident, emphasized that if electricity access were provided, the living standards of the villagers would improve rapidly. He believes that Niseldhor has the potential to become a popular tourist destination if adequate facilities are in place.
While the introduction of a motor road has made transportation of local produce such as apples, beans, and hemp to the market easier in recent years, Niseldhor continues to lag behind in terms of overall development.
The pressing needs of the local population are healthcare and electricity. In the absence of electricity, residents must travel to Uttarganga or Nisigaon to charge their radios, lights, and mobile phones. With limited access to transportation, they feel isolated and unheard.
The surrounding area of Niseldhor, including villages like Kunde, Mas, and Jhul, also lacks electricity. Purushottam Gautam, information officer of Nisikhola Rural Municipality, acknowledged that the area’s remote geography has contributed to its development challenges. However, he assured that the rural municipality has devised long-term plans to address the issues faced by the local residents.
Currently, education is only available up to class 5 in Niseldhor. As a result, the budget has been allocated for school building improvements and the establishment of a community health unit to address the absence of healthcare facilities.
Gautam disclosed that the rural municipality has allocated NPR 1.5 million in the current fiscal year to establish health units. Additionally, they have approached relevant agencies to extend electricity access to the area, hoping to bring about positive change for the community.