There are many picturesque areas in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand among which the Darma-Panchachuli valley in Dharchula area of Pithoragarh is one of the outsanding regions. Native of Darma and senior physician at BD Pandey hospital in Nainital, Dr MS Dugtal has studied this area in detail.

The Darma valley is located about 54 kilometres from Dharchula.

The area contains various bugyals (high altitude alpine meadows), lakes, glaciers, a valley of flowers, hot water spring, Mahadev Gufa (cave) Chhota Kailash, Panchganga water spring and the Panchachuli peaks. The Dugtu village is situated near the Dhauliganga and Nyuli rivers in the valley.

This area is popular with tourists too especially trekkers who enjoy the bridle

paths here. Trekkers get to view jungles, a valley of flowers, high Himalayan peaks and rich biodiversity.

Dugtu is an enchanting combination of mountainous, rivers and jungles. Nipa, Gabe, Fatfu, Rama, Birang, Dhave, Mandap, Basu and Nama are also very suitable sites for trekking.

Apart from its jungles, Dugtu is also known for horticulture and farming. Potatoes, radish, peas and various other vegetables are grown here.

Panchachuli is called Nyula Sai in the local language. It is a group of five Himalayan peaks also considered sacred by the people. The residents of Songaon, Dugtu and Datu villages worship this cluster of peaks every year.

This region is also historically important. Jasuli Saukyani, who later became famous for her charitable works also hailed from the Darma area.

During the colonial era, this rich widow who had also lost her only son at a young age, got a number of Dharmshalas built from the foothills in the Bhabar region to the high altitude region in Dharchula on the Kailash-Mansarovar route. The remains of some of these historical buildings can still be seen to this day.

To reach this area from Delhi, one can travel to Haldwani-Kathgodam by train, bus or taxi. From there one has to travel by road via Dharchula to the Darma valley. One can also travel by air to Pithoragarh or Pantnagar and take the road from there to reach this valley. There are options including tourist rest house, home-stays and hotels. According to Dr Dugtal, this region has considerable potential for adventure tourism. If this potential is properly harnessed this area can become a major centre for adventure tourism.