At a time when alternatives to Nepal-India border points for trade are being weighed, locals in the district fret about the possibility of two proposed trade routes with China due to the heavy snowfall in winters.

Nepal and China have recently agreed to conduct a joint feasibility of unused border points for bilateral trade. Except for Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi, all other border points are only being used by locals around there.

As India continues to impose its blockade on Nepal, discussions on opening more trade routes with China are gathering pace.

The two border points in Gorkha—Samagaun and Chhekambar—are at an altitude of over 5,000 metres above the sea level, and there is high possibility that snowfall could obstruct cross-border movement, according to locals.

“Snowfalls will affect operation of the border point,” said Nima Lama, a resident of Chhekampar. The last time the border point had to be closed was when it witnessed heavy snowfall along with rains.”

The border points give access to the Tibetan market, with walking trails on both sides of the border. The District Administration Office issues a border identity card for the people residing around the 30-km border periphery. Similar is the situation at Samagaun, another bordering Nepali village.

“As there is no road network, bringing fuel from Tibet is very difficult but salt and rice can be brought through this route,” said a local

of Samagaun, Bir Bahadur Lama. The Tibet market, which is two days far, is used by locals of Chhekampar and Samagaun for daily essentials.

Although the Tibetan side side has a accessible road network, Nepal lacks one at the border points. But works on opening the track from Gorkha Bazaar to Chhekampar has commenced and the government also plans to connect the district headquarter with Chhekampar and Samagaun. The road wiil be around 150kms.