Gunji, Uttarakhand
Gunji is a small village in Uttarakhand of India. It is administered by India, but disputed by Nepal. It is near the borders of Tibet and Nepal and the confluence of the Kuthi Yankti and Kalapani River, at the east end of the Kuthi Valley. It is officially listed in the map of India. Nepal has historically no significance over this place. As of now Gunji, Kuti, and Nabhi villages belong to India. [1] The village is on the traditional Indian/Nepalese route to Kailas–Manasarovar.[2]
Gunji,India | |
|---|---|
Village | |
  Gunji,India  Gunji,India | |
| Coordinates: 30°10′46.2″N 80°51′27″E | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 189 km2 (73 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 3,200 m (10,500 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 335 |
| • Density | 1.8/km2 (4.6/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Indian |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Vehicle registration | UK |
| Website | www |
Demographics
As per the 2011 census, the village of Gunji has a population of 335 people living in 194 households.[3]
The village is only populated seasonally, with winters coming people migrate to lower places (mostly to Dharchula, in the same district).
Sashastra Seema Bal, the Indo-Tibet Border Police and GREF personnel remain there throughout the year.
Transport
Helicopter service to Gunji is available from Darchula.
While approaching Gunji from south from Dharchula-Pithoragarh and the rest of India, the route along the western bank of Sharda River (also called Mahakali River) near southeast of Gunji forks into two separate motorable routes, first route PLPH (KMR) goes northeast to Om Parvat, Lipulekh Pass and Kailash Mansarovar and second route GLDPR goes northwest to Gunji, Kuti Valley, Adi Kailash and Gunji-Lampiya Dhura Pass.[4]
Pithoragarh-Lipulekh Pass Highway (PLPH) or Kailash-Mansarovar Road (KMR), part of Kailash Mansarovar yatra route, is nearly 350 km long 2-lane paved-shoulder highway which passes through Pithoragagh, Dharchula, Budhi, Garbyang, east of Gunji, ITBP camp, Nabidhang and Lipulekh Pass on India-Tibet border (under geostrategic India-China Border Roads project) to the Kailas-Manasarovar. In May 2023, the road has been 2-laned and blacktopped except the under-construction formation-cutting work on the last 5 km from the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigams' (KMVN) tourist huts to Lipulekh pass which will take 100 days to complete, and the route between Budi to Garbyang is single lane as the detail project report (DPR) for the Rs 2,000-crore 6 km long 2-lane tunnel is being prepared which will be ready by May 2024 and construction will commence in 4 to 5 years time.[5] [6] Southwest spur from Nabidhang runs along a glaciated river to Om Parvat.
Gunji-Lampiya Dhura Pass Road (GLDPR) runs through Kuti Valley from Gunji, via Adi Kailash, to Lampiya Dhura Pass (Limpiyadhura Pass on India-China border). After it was constructed in July 2020, it has reduced the trek time to Adi Kailash to two hours.[4]
Tourism
Trekkers and other travelers can get food and accommodation at Gunji. In order to reach Gunji, travellers must obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP) issued by SDM at Darchula, it can be obtained online. To apply for ILP, the travelers need a valid ID, a health certificate, and a character certificate.
References
- "How three villages Nepal eyes changed their fortune - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- Walton, H. G., ed. (1911), Almora: A Gazetteer, District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, vol. 35, Government Press, United Provinces, p. 229 – via archive.org
- Pithoragarh district census handbook, Director of Census Operations, Uttarakhand, 2011.
- Kalyan Das and BD Kasniyal, Road to Limpiyadhura will reduce Adi Kailash trek to two hours, Hindustan Times, 17 July 2020.
- Suhasini Haidar, New road to Kailash Mansarovar runs into diplomatic trouble, The Hindu, 9 May 2020.
- Uttarakhand: 6-km tunnel to be built between Bundi, Garbyang on way to India-China border, The Print, 23 May 2023.