Ramblings of a 70-year old: #himalayas

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Trekking in Sikkim near the Kanchenjunga Mountain

Sikkim provides amazing views of the Khangchendzonga Mountain. This is the third highest peak in the world and it towers over hills in most part of the state. Experts take the route up the Dzongri-Goechala to go near to Kanchenjunga and its sister peaks. This used to be the only popular trek route in Sikkim. However, Green Lake Trek is another option in north Sikkim. It takes one to the northeast base of Kanchenjunga. Sikkim always had a limited trekking option but the tourism department of the state is exploring possibilities of developing new trek routes. It gave the responsibility of this to a noted mountaineer and explorer from Kolkata. He has been exploring the great east ridge of Kanchenjunga since 2011 and in 2022, the Government of Sikkim appointed him. His task was to survey and evaluate possibilities of developing several new, eco-friendly and sustainable trails that would lead to the interiors of the great east ridge of Kanchenjunga. Accordingly, he explored the southern part of the great east ridge with Siniolchu in the north. He discovered a new route that led to the Zumthul Phuk Glacier, with a beautiful glacial lake. Zumthul Phuk Glacier in Sikkim: A new route beckons trekkers.

The initial part of the exploratory route followed the pilgrim route to the Tholung Monastery. This is located in the Dzongu region of north Sikkim which is just a day’s trek from the nearest road-head Bey. Mukherjee and his team of local sherpas from Dzongu region made their way through the Zumthul Phuk River gorge towards the Zumthul Phuk Glacier. He felt a proper trail along the route would help trekkers reach the glacier snout in two days from Temrong. He is hopeful that his discovery could open up a new trek route in Sikkim. That would help trekkers to try their hands on a relatively easy route to reach the base of one of the most beautiful peaks of the Himalayas. He warns that over-tourism can be disastrous to the already fragile ecosystem. If not cautious, it could destroy one of the least physically explored areas of the world.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Moody and the cow syndrome (satire)

It had been taught in schools that the cow is a sacred animal – it gives milk and its solid and liquid wastes have tremendous market value. The solid waste known also as gobar is used to produce electricity to bring light to many villages.
Moody was worried because a certain of people were using the cow to settle scores and it was not a good trend. It was sending the wrong signals to the outside world and he wanted to check that.
Suddenly his phone rang. It was his good friend Vladdy Putty.
‘Your national animal is the tiger, is it not?’ he asked.
‘Yes. Everyone knows it. We have launched a program to save the tiger.’
‘And – I believe that one of your political parties have the tiger as an emblem?’
‘Yes. That also is true. Only – it does not roar any more, neither does it bite.’
‘I see,’ Putty lowered his voice. ‘I hear you want to change your national animal and go on for some other animal.’ Moody laughed.
‘Why should we?’ he asked. ‘The tiger remains our national animal.’
‘What about the cow?’
‘Well – there is a nursery rhyme about the cow jumping over the Moon. Do you mean that or do you mean our Moon launch plans.’
‘Are you interested in cowsheds? We could consider a joint venture under your Make in India category.’
‘Thanks for the offer. We don’t want foreign interference in our goshalas.’

Putty disconnected and, immediately, Tressa May came on the line. She was excited.
‘My dear fellow,’ she began. ‘I have come to know that you have patented the DD Fuel?’
‘DD fuel?’ Moody blinked.
‘Yes – the Dry Dung fuel,’ Tressa said. ‘A modified version of the cow dung cake that is a popular fuel for many. Gems Pond has informed that it is being made in a secret location in the Himalayas under the guidance of one Baba Someday.’
Moody scratched his head. Baba was always up to some thing or the other. And – he always springing surprises. If Gems Pond knew about it, why did Baba not keep him in the loop?
‘I think I will discuss this matter with you in person,’ Moody said and hung up. (to be continued …)

Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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