Bikalpa has been organizing regular hiking trips to nearby locations since 2016, which has now become an event for reconnection between Bikalpa’s fellow members and other professional youth. The event’s objective is also to bring together young people who have been part of our programs and create a space for learning with them. This hiking tradition also reunites people associated with Bikalpa in multiple ways, fostering intergenerational and cross-disciplinary interaction.”
This year, Bikalpa went hiking with Bikalpa fellow and YPE Fellow Member to Chinde Dada on December 28, 2024. Dharan is one of the most popular destination in the Eastern Part of Nepal. It is around 350 meter above sea level. You can head towards many places from Dharan like Bhedetar, Shiva Jatta, Namaste Jharna, Chindey Dada is one of the popular Hiking Destination and also a Paragliding Spot. It is around 5 KM away from Dharan Bhanu Chowk and about 775 Meter above sea level. Visitors can follow several walking paths and trails, allowing them to explore the park and its surroundings. In addition to its natural beauty, Chinde Dada is a popular destination for recreational activities.
Bikalpa fellowship participants including bikalpa team members . 47 participants participated in the hiking, as the team began its journey with a bus ride from Biratnagar to Dharan early at 7:30 am.
After a short stop at the Dharan Timbure Hotel and Restaurant for brunch which lasted for an hour. This allowed the participants to enjoy the scenario of the nearby hills and witness the majestic Scenes. In that period, We had short session on Right to information with an RTI activist Mr. Raju Shrestha. The program commenced with a warm welcome address by Ms Siwani Raut, Bikalpa Fellowship Member, who introduced the guest speaker, The session started with the his presentation of Thaha movement, which Rupchandra Bista led to spread knowledge among the people of Nepal. Mr. Bista, a legendary activist, elected leader, and academic figure in Nepal, is considered the most prominent advocate for information accessibility in the country.
In his presentation, Mr. Shrestha explained the legal provision that grants citizens the right to access information held by public authorities. He highlighted that Nepal’s Interim Constitution of 2007 gave RTI rights, and Article 27 has allocated this fundamental right. He shared examples related to RTI and showcased a video associated with the topic. Participants also raised further queries about the subject and had a lively discussion. Mr. Shrestha emphasized that using the RTI tool allows citizens to hold their elected representatives accountable by monitoring their actions and policies and advocating for change if necessary. He also shared that we should all engage in advocacy activities to promote good governance and hold governments accountable to improve society. The discussion program was informative and engaging. It helped the attendees understand the importance of the RTI Act in promoting good governance and accountability in Nepal. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. basanta Adhiakri, who thanked the guest speaker, participants, and the organizing team for contributing to the program’s success.
After that the hiking team began their journey, crossing their ascent to the nearby hills, Sardu River, Buda Subba Temple, and the local village on their way to the 5-kilometer hiking trail. The weather was good, and the hiking trail road, surrounded by a hilly landscape, was challenging. So, it took nearly 2 hours to reach the destination. Upon arriving at the destination, the team spent 2 hours on the premises, taking pictures, interacting, and networking with each other.
The hiking team finally returned to the Bhanu Chowk after a short snack at the Chinde Dada ; the team headed back and reached Biratnagar around 7:30 pm. The Hiking event allowed young people to come together and learn from each other while also exploring their country’s natural and cultural heritage. The program also helped to create visibility for the organization.
