Sinja Valley;Proposed Heritage sites of Nepal

Heritage tourism in Jumla or anywhere else could not be promoted unless there is a sense of historical importance evidence, authenticity to developing heritage attraction. Thus, Sinja Dara still has so many heritages and ruins waiting for proper planning, study, excavations, preservation and conservation. This region (Sinja Dara) must be developed and promote as a heritage destination in national and international tourism market because heritage resources are not necessarily the physical manifestations these are entirely depend on the stories being created, recreated, told and untold. Thus, proper documentation of heritages should be done. Sinja Dara includes the following VDC of Jumla district from where the Malla dynasty used to rule the State. They are; Botamalika, Kanaka Sundari, Birat, PandavGufa, Dhapa, Narakot, Sanigaun, Badki, kalikakhaetu, Mahabaipatarkhola

Sinja Valley contains the archaeological evidence of the capital city of the well organized and influential Western Malla or Khasa Kingdom of the 12th and 14th Century. After the 14th Century the Khasa Kingdom split into the Baise or Twenty-Two Kingdoms, which existed until the unification of Nepal in the late 18th Century. Excavations have revealed the remains of old palaces, temples (Kanak Sundari, Tripura Sundari) and the old settlement. A remarkable ring of huge monolithic stone columns were found surrounding the ruins of the ancient settlement with a Malla gateway and steps. Earthen pipes were excavated testifying to an elaborate water supply system. Across from the Hima River there are caves with ancient votive Buddhist chaityas and cliff inscriptions. Even today the ancient rites of the Masto (Shamans) are practiced in many of the stone Dewals or temples. 

            There have been done numerous researches about Jumla particularly the history of Jumla. So many national and international researchers has found and come to conclusion that the Sinja is the place from where the Nepali Khas language is originated, it has hundreds of historically important shrines and ruins’ available in the area and needs to preserve and conserve for future abut it has never been taken seriously, never been planned and develop on the way that the heritages could be the tools for the development and changes of the people of the area. The life of heritage has been shortening, some are destroyed, some are excavated during Maoist conflict, as saying there is valuable things like gold’s and so on. People are not aware of the value of things available in their homes and areas due to the irresponsibility of the concern agencies of government and government.

            Thus, we know that every place cannot develop and planned as according to the theory and practices which has been successful in other regions or that may be successful in a new place which has been failure in other place. So, plan has been develop and implement as per the nature, culture and environment of the region. Hence, in Sinja; emphasis should be given to the heritage tourism because it (Sinja) has hundreds of heritages material and immaterial available, which are still waiting for the preservation and conservation.

 The Sinja Dara has high potential of Heritage tourism as it has hundreds of heritage resources and ruins need to preservation and conservation.

            It is recognized that cultural heritage conservation can be achieved through visitor management. There has been considerable success in contemporary protected area management by concentrating management effort on visitors rather than the resource. Improving visitor or tourist interaction with natural and cultural heritage properties can therefore make an invaluable contribution to sustainable heritage tourism.

            In particular, there is almost no understanding of what tourists experience through cultural heritage properties beyond the most superficial consumption or how this differs from professional understanding. An important aspect of successful and sustainable tourism at cultural heritage sites therefore depends on developing knowledge in relation to visitors.