Gunji, Uttarakhand

Gunji is a small village located near the tri-junction of India, Nepal, and Tibet (China). It is administered by India as part of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, but is also claimed by Nepal as part of Darchula District, Sudurpashchim Province. The village lies close to the confluence of the Kuthi Yankti and Kalapani River, at the eastern end of the Kuthi Valley. Gunji is situated along the traditional Indo–Nepal route to Mount Kailash–Manasarovar.^[1]

Gunji
Disputed village
Gunji Location of Gunji as per India (Uttarakhand) Show map of Uttarakhand Gunji Gunji (Nepal) Show map of Nepal
Coordinates: 30°10′46.2″N 80°51′27″E
Country	Disputed
Claimed by	Nepal (Darchula District, Sudurpashchim Province)
Administered by	India (Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand)
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	Hindi (India), Nepali (Nepal)
Time zones	UTC+5:30 (IST)
	UTC+5:45 (NPT)
Vehicle registration	UK (India)
Website	www.india.gov.in

Territorial Dispute

Gunji is part of the Kalapani territory dispute between India and Nepal.

• Nepal's claim: Nepal considers Gunji, along with Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, as part of its Darchula District under the terms of the Sugauli Treaty (1816), which defined the Kali River as the western boundary of Nepal. Both India and Nepal historically recognized the treaty.^[2]

• India's administration: India has maintained de facto administrative control of the area, considering it part of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand.

• Military presence: During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, Nepal allowed Indian military deployment in the region for security against China. However, Nepal asserts that India did not withdraw its forces afterward, effectively retaining presence in the territory.^[3]

• **Recent developments:** The dispute gained renewed attention in 2019 when India inaugurated a road to Lipulekh Pass, which Nepal objected to. In May 2020, Nepal issued a new political map including Gunji, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura as part of its territory.^[4]

See also

• Kalapani territory dispute
• Lipulekh Pass
• Kailash Mansarovar
• Sugauli Treaty
• Sino-Indian War
• India–Nepal relations

Demographics

As per the 2011 census, the village of Gunji has a population of 335 people living in 194 households.^[5]

The village is only populated seasonally, with winters coming people migrate to lower places (mostly to Dharchula, in the same district).^{[citation needed]}

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.^[6]

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.^{[7] [8]} 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.^[6]

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.

See also

• Geography of Uttarakhand
• Tourism in Uttarakhand