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Changaa (Mangala RM), Myagdi : Gazing toward the horizon from Changaa, the villagers count eleven majestic mountains standing like white-robed guardians above their homes. Glaciers spill down their slopes, glistening under the sun, yet for generations Changaa of Mangala Rural Municipality–5 lived in a paradox: surrounded by water, but deprived of a single drop of safe drinking water. The daily struggle for a bucket of clean water had long overshadowed the grandeur of the Himalayas. “The beautiful scenery of the mountain range couldn’t address our thirst,” recalls Ward Chairperson Bhupendra KC, summarizing the hardship that defined village life.
That hardship changed last year when Mangala RM, with the support of Nepal Water for Health (NEWAH), completed an ambitious drinking water and sanitation scheme. Eighty-five taps; one for nearly every home; now serve 124 households across Changaa and neighboring Sirkum. The ripple of transformation has been immediate. Villagers no longer conserve every cup; they now channel water into homestead gardens, nurture livestock with ease, improve sanitation and green their surroundings. “Water is not only for drinking to us, but the first step toward the journey of prosperity,” says Mekh Bahadur Budhathoki, Chairperson of Milan Youth Club, capturing the renewed hope that flows through the community like the very streams from their mountains.
With the arrival of reliable water at every doorstep, the slopes of Changaa and Sirkum have blossomed into pockets of vibrant productivity. Once limited to subsistence farming, villagers now grow green vegetables in commercial quantities, cultivate oranges with professional care, and expand their black cardamom plantations across fertile terraces. Homestead gardens, once dusty corners, have transformed into living tapestries of herbs, flowers and fruit trees; small green revolutions nourished by a steady stream of clean water.
This agricultural shift has already begun to reshape the local economy. Last year alone, farmers exported oranges worth NRs 35 lakhs and black cardamom worth NRs 223 lakhs. Inhabitants like Dil Bahadur Thapa of Mangala–5 exemplify this growth; he earned NRs 7 lakhs from black cardamom sales this year, and notes that a single household in the village now produces up to 4,000 kilograms of local potatoes annually. He credits the transformation to the reliable supply of water: “One Household, One Tap has supported our journey of prosperity through organic agriculture and horticulture.”
Dream of Being The Best Tourism Destination of the Region
Perched at an altitude of 2,250 meters, Changaa stands as one of the most naturally gifted villages in the entire area: a place where the Himalayas reveal their grandeur in an uninterrupted sweep. From this serene settlement, visitors can behold eleven majestic peaks, including Machhapuchchhre, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Gurja Himal, glowing gold at sunrise and shimmering in soft amber at dusk. Its neighboring villages Sirkum, Tikabang and Kimchaur add to its cultural and ecological richness. To harness this beauty, the Rural Municipality is planning to construct a Chuli Daandaa Viewpoint, while a newly built community building already offers overnight accommodation for 10 to 15 guests. With a permanent water supply at the picnic spot, Changaa has quickly become a favored retreat for people from surrounding areas who come to enjoy its famed viewpoint and tranquil landscape.
Accessibility adds further promise to Changaa’s dream of becoming the region’s top tourism destination. Multiple routes lead to the village, providing options for both motorable travel and scenic trekking experiences. Travelers from Beni Bazaar can reach Changaa via the Beni–Tatopani–Babiyachaur–Pipalbot–Paankhu–Dharaa–Sirkum road, while another route connects Baglung to Changaa through Hatiya-Galkot-Tarakhola-Kimchaur Dhuri. For those who prefer the charm of a mountain walk, the Beni–Tatopani–Barangja–Jhaakrepani–Kimchaur–Changaa trail offers a captivating journey through forests, ridges and rural hamlets. With its unmatched Himalayan panorama, accessible trails and emerging tourism facilities, Changaa is steadily stepping forward to claim its long-held dream: becoming the finest tourism destination in the region.
Linking Culture with Nature and Tourism
Changaa is a place where nature unfolds with breathtaking artistry: an expanse of dense forests filled with vibrant flowering plants, sweeping plains ideal for camping and a panoramic Himalayan range that frames every horizon. The village is particularly famed for its lush stretches of Laligurans (Rhododendron), which paint the hillsides crimson in spring and attract photographers and trekkers alike. Visitors gather at its scenic viewpoints to witness sunrise and sunset spectacles, but the morning glow holds a charm of its own. “Sunrise is special from here because the sun rises directly from the mountains, which is rare in other places,” explains Sata Prasa Roka, Chairperson of Mangala Rural Municipality. This seamless blend of natural grandeur and peaceful wilderness has made Changaa a rising haven for nature tourism.
Equally enriching is the cultural tapestry that defines the village. Home to a harmonious mix of Magar, Chhetri, Bishwakarma and Brahman communities, Changaa thrives through its strong social institutions. Four Mothers’ Groups actively lead social and economic upliftment, while a dedicated youth club engages in community transformation. Together, they have become the cultural ambassadors of the area: Mothers’ Groups warmly welcome visitors and showcase local traditions, while the youth club organizes and manages travel experiences. Their hospitality has left a lasting impression on many, including Hari Krishna Gautam, Chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Myagdi Chapter. “The heartfelt welcome of the local Mothers’ Groups is one of the key features of this area,” he notes, having visited the village both formally and informally.
A Long Way to Move Ahead!
Despite its astonishing natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Changaa still has a long journey ahead before it can emerge as a fully developed tourism destination. Locals and experts emphasize that the Rural Municipality must first prepare and enact a comprehensive Local Tourism Policy, accompanied by a Local Tourism Act and a long-term Tourism Masterplan. These guiding documents would shape clear priorities, set standards and steer sustainable growth. This foundation will support for partnership with the provincial and federal government and other supporting agencies as well. While the village already attracts visitors with its mountain views, forests and vibrant community life, the absence of formal planning risks limiting its true potential. Coordinated efforts in knowledge management, documentation of tourism sites, and mapping of trails and cultural assets are equally vital to building a strong foundation.
Infrastructure, the backbone of tourism, also demands significant improvement. The villagers agree that wider information dissemination, promotion of routes and the development of basic facilities must move forward together. As residents Hari Acharya of Sirkum and Maya BK of Changaa explain, visitors need more than scenic beauty; they seek tea houses, coffee shops, homestays and hotels where they can comfortably access breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reliable internet and Wi-Fi services have become essential for both domestic and international travelers. Moreover, defining travel circuits that connect Changaa with surrounding attractions would enhance the visitor experience and encourage longer stays. A clear, well-marked route paired with accessible amenities can transform Changaa from a beautiful viewpoint into a holistic tourism destination.
Equipping local people with skills is another urgent priority. Currently, there are no trained tourism professionals in the village, which poses a challenge to delivering quality hospitality services. To bridge this gap, villagers must be capacitated in tourism business management, homestay operations, hospitality and customer care, cookery and bakery, and basic hotel management. Such training would empower residents to run successful enterprises while preserving the warmth and authenticity that define Changaa’s cultural charm. With strategic planning, infrastructure development, community coordination and skill enhancement, Changaa can confidently step toward its dream: emerging not only as a place of natural wonder, but as a model of community-led, sustainable tourism.
Commitment from Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ)
In a meaningful gesture of support, the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Myagdi Chapter and the Myagdi Media Society recently held their monthly and annual programs at Changaa Village in coordination with Mangala Rural Municipality. Their presence brought new energy and visibility to the emerging destination, reinforcing the belief that Changaa’s natural beauty and cultural charm deserve far greater recognition. The gathering became a platform not only for institutional commitments but also for firsthand exploration, allowing journalists to experience the village’s unmatched mountain vistas, serene forests, and vibrant community life.
FNJ Myagdi Chairperson Hari Krishna Gautam expressed a firm commitment to supporting the promotion of Changaa, highlighting its extraordinary potential. Similarly, Myagdi Media Society Chairperson Amit Bishwakarma pledged to actively promote the village, citing its feasibility and promise for sustainable tourism development. Their assurances were echoed by all journalists present, who collectively agreed that Changaa stands out as one of the richest and most promising tourism destinations in the district. They noted that while popular sites like Todke Daandaa, Beldhungaa, Naagi, and Pun Hill are well-known, Changaa surpasses them in terms of natural grandeur and diversity.
The program concluded with a renewed sense of possibility and shared responsibility. As the journalists descended the trails back home, they carried with them not just stories, but a commitment to amplify Changaa’s voice in the wider world. And in the heart of the Himalayas, Changaa waited: quiet yet confident, ready to rise as the next crown jewel of Myagdi’s tourism landscape.
