Dr. Harka Gurung on Pokhara Tourism

By LB Thapa, Pokhara

Dr. Harka Gurung, a proud name of the country, was a true born nature conservationist. He is considered a leading ecologist and geographer of note. He was born in Bhulbhule, Lamjung on 5 January 1939. His enormous service to the nation at different capacities has duly put him at the highest pedestal. Dr. Gurung's vast erudition in geography and environment is simply unsurpassable. The volume and magnitude of work he undertook during his lifetime will remain alive in the memory of millions of Nepali.

Dr. Gurung, a scholar of multidimensional facets, remained devoted to the service of nature conservation until he breathed his last. He received school and college education in Kathmandu and Patna University, India .His thirst for knowledge took him as far as the U.K, where he studied geography and finally earned a doctorate degree from Edinburgh University, Scotland, in 1965. He could have better job opportunity there in the U.K, but his love for the motherland drove him back to Nepal. In Nepal, Dr. Gurung joined Trichandra College in 1967 and began to teach geography. There are many former students whom Dr. Gurung had taught still remember him as a teacher of immense wisdom and vast scholarship. He played a key role for the socio-economic development of rural Nepal. He was the first scholar who advised for separating the country into five development regions so that balanced development of all parts of the country could be possible.

His extensive knowledge on Nepalese geography, history, culture and society has largely helped the country to form right kind of policy that could augment social, geographical, cultural, and nature conservation activities in the country. His pioneer and innovative ideas stirred the country towards all round development and conservation of natural treasure of the country.Dr. Gurung, a man of academic excellence, has done several outstanding research works in the field of tourism, population, mountaineering and environment. He has also published dozens of books on regional planning, geography, demography, cartography and social science. Dr. Harka Gurung's love for Pokhara was quite palpable. He was always seen much worried of Pokhara's all-round tourism development. This was the reason why he would always heartily accept any invitation of attending a programme in Pokhara. Pokhara being the second destination for domestic and Indian tourists, he had advised for a direct flight from major Indian cities to Pokhara. To make all this possible he had vociferously demanded for the construction of an international airport in Pokhara at the earliest possible. He had also advised for exploiting cultural tourism that the Western Development Region is proud of, can help promoting cultural tourism in the region.

Long ago Dr. Gurung had advised to open Mt. Fishtail for mountaineers. He thought climbing on Mt. Fishtail would help improving economic status of the people living around the peak.He dismissed the idea of Mt. Fishtail being sacred and holding any religious importance to Gurung community. He made it clear that actually it is Mt. Annapurna that holds religious significance to Gurung community, not Mt.Fishtail. However, he strictly opposed the mad rush of rapid construction of concrete houses in Baidam area, which posed a grave threat to the existence of Phewa Lake itself. He advised not to spoil natural ambience of Begnas and Rupa lakes by constructing concrete mess. He was in favor of promoting handicraft items in Pokhara, so that it would help poor people to make a definite source of livelihood. But alas! What a tragedy struck!

An ill-fated helicopter of Shree Airlines that carried Dr. Harka Gurung and other twenty three dignitaries along with four crew members, crashed into the mountains of Taplejung district on 23rd September 2006 with no survivors. Untimely death of Dr. Harka Gurung is the irreparable loss to the nation. He met an accident at a time when he was on the pinnacle of success.

He was actively involved in various activities that led the country on the path of nature conservation and geographical excellence.Dr. Gurung remained active all his life for the smooth growth of tourism, besides other activities. It was his belief that merely overcrowding of visitors in few places can't help the country to promote tourism uniformly. Thus, new areas with more incentives should be promoted. He strongly supported the view of village tourism. He was one of the passionate champions of village tourism.
(The article was originally published in People's Review Weekly kathmandu, Nepal)