Gunji, Uttarakhand

Gunji is a small village in Pithoragarh district in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India.[1] 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 overlooks Mount Api in Nepal. The Government Of Nepal has also claimed over this place and is officially listed in the map of Nepal. As of now Gunji, Kuti, and Nabhi villages are claimed by both sides. This will be a disputed territory for both countries unless resolved.[2] The village is on the traditional Indian/Nepalese route to Kailas–Manasarovar.[3]

Gunji
Village
Gunji
Location in Uttarakhand, India
Gunji
Gunji (India)
Coordinates: 30°10′46.2″N 80°51′27″E
Area
 • Total189 km2 (73 sq mi)
Elevation
3,200 m (10,500 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total335
 • Density1.8/km2 (4.6/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialHindi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationUK
Websiteuk.gov.in

Demographics

As per the 2011 census, the village of Gunji has a population of 335 people living in 194 households.[1]

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.

Transportation

It is possible to reach Gunji by helicopter, which takes off from Dharchula.

While approaching Gunji from Dharcula and the rest of India, the route along the western bank of Sharda River (also called Mahakali River) at Gunji forks into two separate motorable routes, one goes north to Om Parvat and Kailash Mansarovar and another to the west to Adi Kailash.[4] In May 2020, India inaugurated a new 80 km long road from Dharchula via Gunji to Lipulekh Pass on India-China border (under geostrategic India-China Border Roads project) to the Kailas-Manasarovar.[5] In July 2020, India also opened a newly constructed road in this area from Gunji to Limpiyadhura Pass (Lampiya Dhura Pass on India-China border) which will reduce the trek time to Adi Kailash to two hours.[4]

Trekkers and other travelers may get food and accommodation here, but in order to reach Gunji one has to obtain an Inner line permit which is issued by SDM at Dharchula. Travelers need a valid ID, a health certificate, and a character certificate at hand for this permit.

References
  1. Pithoragarh district census handbook, Director of Census Operations, Uttarakhand, 2011.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. 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
  4. Kalyan Das and BD Kasniyal, Road to Limpiyadhura will reduce Adi Kailash trek to two hours, Hindustan Times, 17 July 2020.
  5. Suhasini Haidar, New road to Kailash Mansarovar runs into diplomatic trouble, The Hindu, 9 May 2020.

Bibliography
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