Helambu Rural Municipality of Sindhupalchowk is going to build a well-equipped cricket ground at a ‘high altitude’. For that, the work of leveling the ground is currently underway in Sanghurmu, Ward No. 6, with the investment of the rural municipality.

The ground is going to be built at an altitude of 2,560 meters. Work is currently being done to level the ground at a cost of Rs 3 million. The chairman of Helambu Rural Municipality, Nima Gyalzen Hyolmo, said that the old playground is going to be converted into a cricket ground.

‘We have started the initial phase of construction,’ he said, ‘We will make it a cricket stadium.’ He claims that there is no cricket ground at such a height anywhere. ‘I don’t think there is a cricket ground at such a height anywhere, that’s why we have started it,’ he said, ‘We are thinking of building the ground and conducting cricket training here, which is done in other places.’ Work is currently underway to break up the large stones in the ground.

Chairman Hjalmo said that the construction process will be started soon after examining the detailed project report (DPR) and environmental study of the ground. ‘Once the DPR work is completed, we will know how much it will cost,’ he said, ‘then we will move forward according to which government, the union or the state, will carry out the construction.’

He said that the rural municipality is moving forward to finalize the DPR in the current fiscal year. Currently, this area is being developed as a tourism hub. This place can be reached after covering a distance of 50 kilometers through Chisapani and Dandaidanda from Sundarijal in Kathmandu. Similarly, this place is 63 km away from Kathmandu via Melamchi, the chairman said. Recently, the number of homestays opening in the place has been increasing.

The rural municipality is building the ‘Great Trail’ targeting domestic and foreign tourists. Currently, domestic tourists come to this place to visit, take photos and videos. A 'Great Trail' that gives a glimpse of the world's tallest Great Wall of China has been constructed in Koghoptegyang. Its construction is also ongoing from Buddha Park in Ward No. 3 of the same rural municipality. The target of constructing 60 kilometers has been set, of which 7 km has been completed so far.

The Jugal, Langtang, Ganesh and Gaurishankar Himals, which are clearly visible from this place, attract everyone. The red-flowering redbuds that bloom on the hills in Chait-Baishakh make it even more fascinating. The trail starting from Buddha Park in Helambu will connect Sermathang-Jyomathang-Panchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality, Dupcheshwor in Nuwakot and Amayangri on the border of Helambu to Gosainkunda in Rasuwa.

‘Our aim is to promote sports and tourism together,’ said Chairman Hyolmo. ‘We are building a cricket ground accordingly. Players who are training for cricket amidst the hustle and bustle of the city market will enjoy the peaceful environment here and will learn by staying on high ground.’

He said that further work will proceed after the DPR is ready. ‘This year, we will complete all the DPR and EIA work and take it to the contract process,’ said Chairman Hyolmo. ‘The goal is to complete the construction work within a maximum of two years.’ He said that since the construction cost will come from the DPR, the budget will be requested from the state and federal governments accordingly.