Nepal is world’s third largest ginger producer

Nepal has become the world’s third largest producer of ginger after India and China, according to the statistics of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The country produced 216,289 tonnes of ginger in 2011 compared to the global output of 2.02 million tonnes.

Based on the average market price of Rs 62.29 per kg in 2010-11 at the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market, Nepal’s ginger output was worth Rs 13.47 billion. Officials said that farmers only get Rs. 25-30 per kg out of this while the rest is gobbled up by middlemen.

Ginger production increased marginally by 2.6 percent in 2011 compared to 2010. However, output has jumped 146 percent in the last decade. In 2002, ginger production was recorded at 87,909 tonnes.

Officials at the Ministry of Agriculture Development said that the export value of ginger had encouraged farmers to go for commercial farming. “Demand for ginger has been increasing due to its growing export value,” said Prabhakar Pathak, spokesperson at the ministry.

Increased use of ginger by the Ayurveda pharmaceutical industry in India and Nepal and high potential for product diversification to make jam, jelly, candy and sauce has made ginger one of the export potential products.

As Nepali ginger has not been able to get better prices due to soil content and dirty look, Pathak said that the FAO had planned to help farmers by installing a ginger processing plant in Kakkarbhitta on the eastern border.

According to government officials, India buys 98 percent of Nepal’s total ginger exports. Nepal enjoys free access to the Indian market. The US, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Japan and Spain are among the largest consumers of ginger . “If the processing plant is set up, it will add value to farmers’ products.”

Meanwhile, the land under ginger farming has increased to 19,081 hectares in 2011 from 18,041 hectares in 2010. In 2002, ginger was grown on 9,189 hectares. However, productivity has declined marginally in 2011.

According to FAO stats, ginger yield dropped to 11.33 kg per hectare in 2011 from 11.68 kg per hectare in 2010. In 2002, yield was 9.56 kg per hectare. Agriculture Ministry officials said that the reason behind Nepal’s low productivity was lack of hybrid seeds, technology and fertilizers.

Ilam is the top producer among two dozen ginger producing districts. According to the ministry’s statistics, Ilam grew 44,310 tonnes of ginger in fiscal 2010-11, followed by Salyan with 23,500 tonnes, Nawalparasi 12,255 tonnes and Palpa 12,226 tonnes. The Eastern Region was the largest producer of ginger among the five development regions with 79,361 tonnes.

Ginger is one of the farm products identified by Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS) 2010 as having export potential.

According to a study, the per kg cost of ginger production is Rs 18. It is also highly labour incentive compared to other sectors.

The price of ginger varies with the seasons. During the off season from May to July, the price peaks while it drops to the year’s lowest during the main harvesting season which occurs from November to January.

TAAN urges bringing back benchmark fee

The Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal ( TAAN ) has urged the government to reintroduce the benchmark fee for trekkers on popular routes like Everest and Annapurna in a bid to discourage illegal operators. The government has been losing revenue due to a rise in the number of unregistered trek operators, said TAAN .

Speaking at an interaction here on Tuesday, TAAN president Mahendra Singh Thapa said that there had been an alarming rise in the number of illegal operators that is hurting government revenue and also the trekking business. “We have also urged Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to reintroduce the benchmark fee on trekkers so that the tourism business and revenue earning will be more transparent.”

According to him, the government had a benchmark fee in place for trekkers, however, it was abandoned at the urging of some sections of the private sector.

Nepal has been seeing improved tourist arrivals with an increased length of stay, but foreign exchange earnings have not matched this growth for the last three years.

Although NRB has been keeping a close eye on the trend, it has no clue about the slow revenue collection. Officials have suspected that companies involved in foreign exchange transactions might have submitted incorrect data on income from tourism.

“The major reason behind the falling revenue is an alarming rise in the number of illegal operators who have been conducting foreign exchange transactions without registration,” Thapa said. The government is unaware about the issue, he added.

Trekking is an expensive adventure activity that requires visitors to stay a minimum of eight-nine days and spend US$ 50-70 daily per person, according to traders. “As the government has failed to regulate this market, even NGOs are found to be involved in the trekking business,” Thapa said. He added that the trekking industry had a lot of potential to eradicate rural poverty, but it was lagging behind in contributing revenue to the economy.

According to the Tourism Ministry, Nepal Tourism Year in 2011 brought a record number of tourists, but their average per day spending has dropped to a 10-year low. Arrivals reached more than 735,000, but average spending fell to US$ 39.90 in 2011 against US$ 43.20 in 2010.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same occasion, Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA) president Nani Kaji Thapa urged the government to immediately initiate the process of buying aircraft for Nepal Airlines Corporation.

A large portion of tourist spending goes into airfare, and Nepal has not been able to reap the benefits due to the absence of the national flag carrier in the source markets, he said. The government should protect Nepal’s world renowned white-water rafting that is on the verge of destruction due to the governments unmanaged policy to develop hydropower, he added.

“Nepal has earned the reputation for being one of the best places in the world for white-water rafting and kayaking, and that should be protected.”

Meanwhile, Tourism Ministry secretary Sushil Ghimire said that his ministry was ready to amend all the old policies in line with present needs. “Although it is not possible to amend the acts, some policies and regulations can be amended if they can boost the country’s tourism industry,” Ghimire added.

Qatar Airways offers up to 30 pc discount

Qatar Airways has offered up to 30 percent discount on economy and business class airfares to various destinations from Kathmandu.

According to a press statement issued by the airline company Monday, the discounts are being offered for destinations like Houston, New York, Washington, Montreal, Buenous Aires, Sao Paulo, Casablanca, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Dubai, Muscat, Tehran, among others.

Sales period for the special offers is from January 28 to 31 while the travel period for the offer is till March 31, informed the airlines

Construction of track leading to Mt. Makalu underway

Construction of a track leading to Mt. Makalu from a local village has begun, RSS reported.

The track, which will join the fifth largest peak to Haiya VDC, will make it easier for mountaineering enthusiasts to reach the peak.

is being constructed with financial assistance from Sankhuwasabha Tourism Development Board and Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), the state-owned news agency said quoting project chief Man Bahadur Limbu.

Almost all sections of the track will be ready within two months, said project officials.

Stones from Mt Everest sent to lowest point on earth in Israel

Stones from the region of the highest point on Earth, the Mount Everest of Nepal, were sent to Israel on Monday. Similar stones from the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea in Israel, are expected to arrive in Nepal in a sooner date.

These stones will be established as monuments at the Dead Sea and at the Everest Base Camp respectively and will symbolize long and fruitful friendship between Nepal and Israel, according to a press release issued by the Embassy of Israel in Kathmandu.

“The placing of the monuments is expected to further strengthen existing good and friendly relations between the two countries and bring it to the people to people level. It will also promote these natural heritage sites apart from encouraging more people to visit the regions and to promote internal as well as international tourism,” the Israeli Embassy said in the release.

The stones from the Everest Base Camp were brought to Kathmandu by Bishnu Basnet, the guide from the Swissa Rafting and Trekking Expedition (P) Ltd.

A special ceremony for placing of the monuments will take place in both the countries later in 2013, according to the Embassy.

This project is the follow up project of the Nepal Israel joint postage stamps issued on 4 September 2012.

Agni Air gears up for another take-off

Debt-ridden Agni Air is likely to get a new lease of life , with some officials of the airline and travel sector players coming together to bring it back into operation.

Grounded since mid-November 2012, Agni Air was put up for auction by a consortium of banks that financed the carrier after it failed to meet the loan repayment deadline. But a court order has put the auction process on hold.

Both the Agni officials and the banks confirmed the development.

According to an Agni Air official, heads of the operation, engineering, marketing departments and some travel trade entrepreneurs have formed a ‘loose group’ to revive the airline. The source added that the new group is seeking to operate the airline by contracting the aircraft for few years.

The group will submit its ‘revival plan’ or ‘business plan’ on Monday to the banks that financed the carrier. “The group will also seek additional loans worth Rs 200-250 million from the consortium,” the Agni official said, adding four of the five aircraft will come into operation by mid-February if the banks accept their proposal. “We expect to repay the proposed fresh loan within 12-14 months of our operation, while other dues will be cleared gradually.”

The consortium, including Grand Bank, Sunrise Bank and International Leasing and Finance Company, is also positive on extending necessary help to airline. The consortium has lent Rs 650 million to the carrier.

“We are ready to entertain a proposal that is bankable, ensures smooth cash flow and secure the interest all parties,” said a chief executive of a consortium bank. “Currently, both the sides are on the verge of losing. We can convert it into a win-win situation.”

With the airline not clearing interest for the last two quarters, the banks want the interest to be paid first so that the credit would turn into good loans and they would not be compelled to make huge provisioning.

According to the banks, the airline has to pay Rs 100 million in interest. A banker made it clear that they were also ready to extend additional loans to the new party based on their proposal.

Agni officials said both the sides are in the situation of getting ‘something for nothing’ and that a new deal will be beneficial for both the parties.

The new group says it will bring the two grounded aircraft back into operation within a week in the first phase. Another aircraft will come into operation within the next 10 days, while one will need at least one and half months to start flying. Agni, which owns five aircraft, has only a Dornier plane in an airworthy condition.

The carrier has around 150 employees who have not received salaries for the last three months. The carrier owes around Rs 2.5 million to Nepal Oil Corporation and around Rs 6 million to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

The banks had given the cash-strapped carrier until mid-December 2012 to pay up or face foreclosure. The carrier was then put up for auction by the banks after it failed to meet the loan repayment deadline. A seven-day auction notice was issued for the sale of Agni’s properties. However, the Appellate Court stayed the banks’ move after a complaint was filed suspecting ill-motive to put the carrier into short auction.

Agni’s woes began with problems in the real estate sector as its key promoter Sudhir Basnet is one of the biggest realty players of the country. A recession in the realty sector stopped Basnet’s cash flow which also affected the airline.

Hotels slash tariffs as arrivals slump

Major hotels have slashed their tariffs since December last year following slowed growth in tourist arrivals. The room rates of most five-star properties have dropped 10-15 percent while the rest are in a wait-and-watch mode.

According to hoteliers, the rate cuts have been basically prompted by a slump in arrivals from the European and Indian markets. Visitors from these two markets are big spenders for Nepali tourism.

The tariff of almost all the five-star hotels has dropped to US$ 80-90 from US$ 90-100. The decline in prices also points to fewer business-class clients. Hotel iers said that price cuts have been seen mostly at luxury hotels.

With minimal growth in tourist arrivals, hotels are witnessing a drop in their room occupancy, which in return has forced them to go for price cutting measures. “As our occupancy dropped by 20 percent since December last year, we were compelled to slash our room tariff by 15 percent,” said Bharat Joshi, resident manager at the Hotel Yak & Yeti.

Another five-star property Everest Hotel also reported a drop in occupancy rate during the mid-December - mid-January period. Although the hotel declined applying low rates, it expected recovery in February.

A source at Everest Hotel , one of the favourites among Indian travellers, said the drop in the number of Indian tourists and cancellations by Japanese travellers in January affected its business.

Amir Pradhananga, director of sales at the hotel, said they have not officially slashed the tariff, but said occupancy was hit in January. “As we are receiving healthy booking for February, we are hopeful that demand will return to normalcy,” said Pradhananga. Avik JB Singh, sales and

marketing manager of Hotel Annapurna, said political instability was the major reason behind the slump that compelled the five-star properties to go for under-cutting measures.

The hotel room tariff was on upward trend for the last two years. Driven by improved tourist arrivals, five-star hotels had hiked the average room tariff by 20-30 percent in the last two years. Many of them had reported record-breaking revenue in 2011.

According to hoteliers, all market segments, including corporate movement, trekking, leisure and business, have slowed down. The major reason for the slump, according to industry watchers, was the political instability and the announcement polls in November last year.

Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) President Shyam Sundar Lal Kakshapati said most hotels have reduced tariffs as a result of declining tourist arrivals that hit big hotels’ occupancy.

Now, the industry is keenly watching whether things will change from mid-February when the new travel season begins. “It’s a market economy,” Joshi said, hotel tariffs rise with the increase in travel demand. Normally, mid-December - mid-February period is considered off season. “But what we fear now is tourists’ diversion to Thailand and Malaysia due to Nepal’s political crisis,” said Joshi.

Although the under-cutting trend has not become much visible, but if the current arrival trend continues, many of the hotels will apply low summer rates due to the demand-supply mismatch, Kakshapati said. “However, the cost-cutting war among hotels that affected the business in past years will not re-surface.” According to Kakshapati, although the travel demand from China has picked up, Nepal’s charm on Indian travellers has slowed lately. “We need to concentrate the promotional activities on two neighbours — India and China — until Europe recovers from the debt crisis.”

As the Asian markets are price conscious, there is no alternative to cutting tariff rates, Singh said. “Annapurna is not an exception, but instead of cutting tariff we are providing value added services to the customers.”

According to hoteliers, the number of Indian, Spanish, German, Japanese visitors has declined significantly with the start of 2013, but the number of Chinese, Americans and British visitors is stable. Given the current scenario, star hotels have projected 2013 a modest year after witnessing healthy business in 2011 and 2012.

Climbing legends combine to help children in Nepal

The son of the man known for making the first-ever ascent to the top of Mount Everest was in Utah Monday, helping one of the state’s own climbing legends.


Utah’s own Apa Sherpa holds the world record for the number of climbs he’s made to the top of Everest, and he now uses his fame to benefit school children back in Nepal.

Peter Hilary, whose father is Sir Edmund Hilary, shares an interest with Apa Sherpa in helping children in Nepal get an education — something that doesn’t come easily out there.

Thame is a small town near Mount Everest. Its school was one of many built by Sir Edmund Hilary, who along with Tenzig Norgay made that famous first trip to the top of Everest in 1953. The journey paved the way for so many others, including Apa Sherpa, who’s made that Everest climb 21 times.

“Eventually, (Sir Edmund Hilary) struck up some very close friendships with the Sherpa people. He realized they had very little,” Peter Hillary explained.

The Thame school is where Apa Sherpa got his humble beginnings. “We have a very poor education,” he said. “So now my goal is to help with the children’s educations.”

Even now, students at Thame can only get a fifth-grade education. Continuing beyond that means walking three hours away, five days a week — something Apa Sherpa did himself as a child.

Apa Sherpa and Peter Hilary actually made their first ascent on Mount Everest together, back in 1990. Now, the old friends have come together in Salt Lake City to raise money to help the students in Thame.
“I like to help my hometown over there,” Apa Sherpa said. “Then when my foundation (grows) bigger … I (would) like to help many places.”

“I think it’s just marvelous that Apa Sherpa wants to come back, as someone who was a recipient of some of these services, and make them even better with his own foundation,” Peter Hilary said.

If Apa Sherpa gets his way, kids will be able to attend the Thame school through the seventh grade. That’s still far from where he’d like it to be, but it’s a start.

“It shows what an incredible, determined man he is,” Peter Hilary said.

Nepal, India launch joint package to promote religious tourism

Nepali and Indian travel agents are jointly launching a travel package to promote Lumbini and other Nepali religious sites, and increase the flow of foreign tourists to Nepal.

Around 125 travel-related companies from India and Nepal, airline companies, hotels based in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and Bhairahawa are participating in the mart. Out of these, around 30 are India-based companies.

The religious tourism package has been launched at the Nepal-India Joint Travel Mart that began in Lumbini from Tuesday.
The package aims to promote major Buddhist religious sites in Lumbini and Kathmandu, as well as Bodhgaya and Sarnath of India.

The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Embassy of India are jointly organizing the event, which will also be attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Tourism of India, and representatives from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar tourism authorities.

Along with the business to business session, the event will also feature a three-day symposium, which will seek ways to launch the joint tour package through Nepali and Indian travel agencies and tour operators.

According to the NTB officials the package will help bring more Indian tourists to Nepal.

The figures provided by immigration office at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) show around 165,000 Indian tourists visited Nepal last year, which was 27.5 percent of the total foreign tourists received by the country.

Though neighboring India receives around one million Buddhist pilgrims every year, Nepal, where Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, lies, does not even receive 10 percent of that crowd, according to the organizer of the event.

To promote Lumbini, Nepal organized Visit Lumbini Year in 2012, during which 509,073 tourists from 92 countries visited the birth place of Lord Buddha. Of this, 113,195 were Indian, 52,671 were Sri Lankan and 28,480 were Thais.

Kathmandu second potential area for tourism

The trekking routes and tourist areas of various VDCs of Myagdi districts have been overshadowed by fair weather roads staking their existence.

The motorable roads constructed from district headquarters Beni to Jomsom of Mustang and Sikh and Ghar VDCs have adversely affected the trekking routes of tourism importance.

Until two years back, up to 3,000 tourists used to travel through the serene trekking routes of Ghodepani, Nagi and Khopra but operation of these new non-blacktopped roads have witnessed decline of tourists.

According Bagbir Paija, a social worker of Sikh VDC, trekkers have ceased to move though the trekking routes, which has resulted in closure of hotels.

The locals have urged the authorities to look into the matter seriously and make alternative arrangements for the early resumption of trekking routes.A study report of the World Bank (WB) has put Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, at the top priority for investment potential. In a meeting with the tourism-related entrepreneurs and stakeholders on investment prospects in Bhairahawa, Lisa Choegyal, a consultant of the WB said that the report has put Kathmandu as the second most potential area for tourism investment after Lumbini.

Similarly, wider cultural tourism region linking Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Ridi, Palpa, Gorkha and Bandipur has been placed at the third priority in investment potential, she said.

Lisa, who is in the course of her study on tourism development potential in Lumbini, said that her study will concentrate on the infrastructure development, including standard and eco-friendly roads, five-star hotels and other tourism requirements.
The previous study had recommended for building an international convention centre, meditation home, and wider prayer center for Buddhists, she said.

Motorable roads overshadows trekking routes Myagdi

The trekking routes and tourist areas of various VDCs of Myagdi districts have been overshadowed by fair weather roads staking their existence.

The motorable roads constructed from district headquarters Beni to Jomsom of Mustang and Sikh and Ghar VDCs have adversely affected the trekking routes of tourism importance.

Until two years back, up to 3,000 tourists used to travel through the serene trekking routes of Ghodepani, Nagi and Khopra but operation of these new non-blacktopped roads have witnessed decline of tourists.

According Bagbir Paija, a social worker of Sikh VDC, trekkers have ceased to move though the trekking routes, which has resulted in closure of hotels.

The locals have urged the authorities to look into the matter seriously and make alternative arrangements for the early resumption of trekking routes.

Govt set to establish Wildlife Park

The government is set to establish a wildlife park and recreation centre at Surya Binayak in Bhaktapur.
According to the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, a proposal on this regard has already been forwarded to the Council of Ministers.

Various community forests at Gundu, Sipadol and Katunje VDCs in Bhaktapur covering an area of 293.6 hectares has been proposed for the establishment of the wildlife park and recreation centre.

Similarly, the Ministry stated that it has so far provided 2,731 hectares of forest land throughout the country to 151 different organizations for various purposes.  Altogether 145,096 trees have been cut down from that area so far.
The planning and human resources division at the Ministry has brought a proposal for planting about 7.9 million saplings in other places of the country to make up for the number of trees cut down.

As per the international standard, 39 percent of the total area of the country should be forested area.

Foreign trekkers receiving TIMS cards up increases by 5.46 pc

The number of foreign trekkers obtaining Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) cards from Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) in 2012 increased by 5.46 percent compared to figures of 2011.

According to data provided by TAAN, a total of 87,247 trekkers took TIMS cards from TAAN Secretariat in 2012. The figure includes 438 Free Individual Trekkers (FITs) and 14 trekkers from the SAARC region.

The figure excludes TIMS cards distributed by TAAN Pokhara Chapter and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), said TAAN. NTB distributes TIMS cards only to FITs.

The government has made it mandatory for trekkers heading to Everest, Annapurna and Langtang region to take TIMS cards. However, members of mountaineering expeditions with climbing permits and trekkers with permits to restricted areas are not required to get TIMS cards.

TAAN and NTB issue separate TIMS cards for FITs and trekkers travelling in groups. Trekkers traveling in groups have to pay US$ 10 as TIMS fee while FITs need to pay US$20 for the same.

Similarly, trekkers traveling in groups from the SAARC region are required to pay US$3 while FITs from SAARC have to pay US$6.

During October, TAAN issued a total of 20,618 TIMS cards, including 59 FITs and 18 trekkers from the SAARC region while it had issued 19,634 TIMS cards last year.

Qatar Airways uses RNP AR approach to fly to Nepal

Qatar Airways has become the first airline in the world to operate an aircraft with a new navigational approach in Nepal.

The Doha-based airline implemented a Required Navigation Performance — Authorisation Required (RNP AR) approach into Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

According to the airline, the RNP AR approach reduces pilots’ workload considerably allowing them to take full benefit of the advanced technology as this procedure allows an aircraft to fly a specific path.

Similarly, the latest technology also has significant safety improvements and reduces the required visibility compared with current standard flying procedures, the airlines said.

Currently, Qatar Airways is operating four flights a day between Doha and Kathmandu.

UK court orders residential visa to Gurkha dependents

An appeal court in the United Kingdom has ordered the UK government to provide residential visa to the adult family members of the Gurkha ex-servicemen.

Issuing its verdict in response to a case filed by a UK law firm in collaboration with the Gurkha Army ex-servicemen's Organisation (GAESO) on Monday, the Court of Appeal allowed cases where there is clear dependency - both financial and emotional - between the ex-Gurkha and their adult dependents to be considered for visa.

With the ruling, family members of Gurkha ex-servicemen above 18 years will get residential visa. Meanwhile, issuing a press statement, GAESO has described the court verdict as a victory of for Gurkhas.

GAESO had been speaking against the discriminatory policy, demanding that family members under 18 years be granted visa to stay in UK permanently.

Export to China soars by 254 pc

The export to China has increased by 254 percent in the first five months of the current fiscal year 2012/13.

According to Trade and Export Promotion Centre (TEPC), increase in the demand for carpets and medicinal herbs were the main factors behind the upward movement.

The export of carpet has surged by 479 percent while medical herbs witnessed 478 percent rise.

Similarly, the exports of metal idols rose by 406 percent, animal hide and skin by 376 percent and wheat flour by 203 percent. These are the top five products exported to China during the review period.

During the review period, Nepal exported goods worth Rs. 1.21 billion to China while the same was Rs. 342.4 million during the same period last fiscal year.

Similarly, the import from China has also increased by 36.7 percent to Rs 30.59 billion

Govt set to announce Dhorpatan as Buffer zone

Preparations have been made to declare the only hunting reserve of the country, Dhorpatan as a buffer zone.

The preparation to announce buffer zone is being made with the objective of taking the conservation of the reserve and community development together ahead with local people’s participation, says the Office of the Reserve.

We aim to increase the participation of the local people in the conservation and management of the Reserve and for community development, says Chief of the Reserve, Sher Singh Thagunna.

Following the declaration of buffer zone fifty percent of the revenue collected from the reserve would return back to reserve, and thereby spent for the buffer zone. The hunting reserve has been collecting revenue worth 10 million rupees every year. Some VDCs of Baglung, Myagdi and Rukum districts fall under the buffer zone.

Tourists’ flow up in Ghodepani

The number of tourists visiting Ghodepani, a touristic site in Myagdi district along the Annapurna trekking circuit, has increased sharply.

Tourism entrepreneurs said that the number of visitors increased in the Annapurna trekking circuit due to bad weather condition in Lukla and other tourist destinations in the country.

Hotelier Teksar Buddhuja said that nearly 400 foreigners have arrived Ghodepani every day. “This is high time to welcome tourists in Ghodepani,” Buddhuja said.

Hoteliers said that Germans, American, French and Japanese tourists top the visitors’ list. Tourists can view the scenic beauty of a dozen mountains from Ghodepani

Govt to provide trekking permits online

Foreign tourists planning to trek will soon be able to collect government permits to embark on the journey from the Internet.
The online service will be introduced once the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Nepal Tourism Board complete the process of automating Trekking Information Management System (TIMS), through which mandatory permits for most of the trekking routes are issued.

The TAAN is currently testing the new system. “We will formally launch it within a month´s time,” informed TAAN CEO Ganga Sagar Pant.

Once the automation is complete, trekkers can file required information and travel itinerary online, upon which applicants will get a unique code.

“Using the code, applicants can then collect the trekking permit from TAAN secretariat, NTB or at check posts located at entry points of trekking routes,” Pant said.

At present, trekkers, other than South Asians, traveling in groups need to pay a fee of US$10 per person, while Free Independent Travelers (FITs) are required to pay $20 per person to obtain trekking permit. South Asian tourists traveling in groups via trekking agencies, meanwhile, have to pay a fee of $3 per person, while South Asian FITs have to pay a fee of $6 per person to obtain trekking permits.

“Soon, we will also introduce online payment system for the convenience of trekkers,” Pant said.

TAAN officials said one of the reasons behind automating the trekking permit issuance system was to control gross misuse of such permits.

“We have come across incidents where trekking agencies had sold $10 permit for $20,” an official said, adding, automation of the system will control such illegal activities.

TAAN officials also said the online registration system would help them create a database of trekkers with personal information such as gender and nationality.

“These information can come handy during search operations if trekkers go missing,” they said.

Highest alpine walking GHT changes face of Humla

The development of the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT), the longest and highest alpine walking track in the world, has changed the face of Humla district.

Due to increased tourist movement, hotels and restaurant business has been flourishing here. Tourist-standard hoteld/restaurants are an hour’s walk apart.

Tourist movement has increased mostly along the Hilsa-Darm trek. The GHT extends from Humla in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east, and takes some 157 days to trek. Hilsa, a border with Tibet, is also a gateway to Mt Kailash and the mythical Lake Manasarovar.

With increasing income generating activities, locals have started shifting to hospitality business from their traditional occupation. According to locals, the number of both domestic and foreign tourists has been increasing.
Sunam Lama, a local from district headquarters Simikot, was a potter a few years ago. But now he operates a hotel and a guest house in his home. “I now earn more than Rs 300,000 annually.” Thirteen years ago, Lama used to earn Rs 150 daily as a potter.

This year, four-five new restaurants opened in Simikot alone. Not only in Simikot, the hotel business is flourishing everywhere from in Hilsa to Darm. Even Nara, which is 4,000 metres above the sea level, has a hotel. Lama said locals are competing to open new hotels, lodges and restaurants.

Tourist started visiting Humla two decades ago when the government lifted restriction to foreigners in Limi and Muchu village development committees, the villages bordering with China.

In 2011, Humla welcomed 563 Indian and 900 foreigners. According to the district police office, the district saw 827 Indian and 558 foreign visitors in 2012.

Increase in tourism activities has also created employment opportunities. SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, through GHT Development Programme, has been providing hospitality and other skill development training to locals.

Rakesh Shahi, programme coordinator of SNV, said that the organisation, in coordination with Nepal Trust, has been providing training and conducting various activities along the Hilsa-Darm trekking route to create awareness among people.

“Local entrepreneurs in the Hilsa-Chakali region near Mugu border have been benefited with training and other capacity development programmes,” Shahi said.

Local can now provide tourist-standard facilities and proper sanitation facilities to visitors. The GHT is divided into 10 sections across 16 districts.

Tourists visiting Lumbini up during Lumbini year

The number of tourists visiting Lumbini has increased by 29.09 per cent in 2012 compared to 2011. Tourist arrivals increased after the government declared 2012 as the Visit Lumbini Year with the objective of publicizing the birthplace of Gautam Buddha across the world.

Public Relations Officer of the Lumbini Development Trust, Haridhwoj Rai, said that a total of 758,000 domestic and foreign tourists visited Lumbini in 2012, which is more by 170,731 compared to the tourist arrival figure the previous year. A total of 578,269 tourists had visited the Lumbini in 2011.

Five hundred nine thousand and seventy-three domestic tourists, 113,195 Indian tourists and 136,001 tourists from other countries visited Lumbini in 2012.

The Trust said that the highest number of tourists visiting Lumbini was from Sri Lanka. The number was 52,671.

Trekking agents outline diversify trekking destination

Though figures for 2012 show an increase in the number of trekkers, trekking agents have claimed there still is a need to diversify trekking destinations.

“There has been a growth in number of trekkers but trekking in our country is still limited to only three regions,” said chief executive officer of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gangaram Pant.
Trekking activities are limited to the Annapurna, Langtang and Everest regions. “The government and the private sector must work together to diversify trekking destinations,” quoted the himalayantimes as his saying.

In 2012, TAAN in coordination with the government started around 12 different trekking destinations but due to lack of proper infrastructure and quality promotion, trekkers have been concentrated in only Annapurna, Langtang and Everest regions. “We are also planning to develop new trekking routes to Humla starting from March this year,” he said.

According to TAAN, among various trekking destinations, around 80 per cent tourists are mainly attracted to Annapurna, Everest and Langtang regions and a few others also opt for Lower Dolpa, Ganesh Himal and some trek to restricted areas such as Manaslu, Manang and Chun Valley.

Swayambhunath

A golden spire crowning a conical wooded hill, Swayambhunath Stupa is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles and from all sides of the valley. Historical records found on a stone inscription give evidence that the stupa was already an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination by the 5th century AD. Its origins however, date to a much earlier time, long before the arrival of Buddhism into the valley. A collection of legends about the site, the 15th century Swayambhu Purana, tells of a miraculous lotus, planted by a past Buddha, which blossomed from the lake that once covered Kathmandu valley. The lotus mysteriously radiated a brilliant light, and the name of the place came to be Swayambhu, meaning 'Self-Created or Self-Existent'. Saints, sages and divinities traveled to the lake to venerate this miraculous light for its power in granting enlightenment. During this time, the Bodhisatva Manjushri was meditating at the sacred mountain of Wu Tai Shan and had a vision of the dazzling Swayambhu light. Manjushri flew across the mountains of China and Tibet upon his blue lion to worship the lotus. Deeply impressed by the power of the radiant light, Manjushri felt that if the water were drained out of the lake Swayambhu would become more easily accessible to human pilgrims. With a great sword Manjushri cut a gorge in the mountains surrounding the lake. The water, draining away, left the valley of present day Kathmandu. The lotus was then transformed into a hill and the light became the Swayabhunath Stupa.


Swayambhunath's worshippers include Hindus, Vajrayana Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, and the Newari Buddhists of central and southern Nepal. Each morning before dawn, hundreds of pilgrims will ascend the 365 steps that lead up the hill, file past the gilded Vajra (Tibetan: Dorje) and two lions guarding the entrance, and begin a series of clockwise circumambulations of the stupa (Newari Buddhists circle in the opposite, counterclockwise direction). On each of the four sides of the main stupa there are a pair of big eyes. These eyes are symbolic of God's all-seeing perspective. There is no nose between the eyes but rather a representation of the number one in the Nepali alphabet, signifying that the single way to enlightenment is through the Buddhist path. Above each pair of eyes is another eye, the third eye, signifying the wisdom of looking within. No ears are shown because it is said the Buddha is not interested in hearing prayers in praise of him.


The area surrounding the stupa is filled with chaityas, temples, painted images of deities and numerous other religious objects. There are many small shrines with statues of Tantric and shamanistic deities, prayer wheels for the Tibetan Buddhists, Shiva lingams (now disguised as Buddhist chaityas and decorated with the faces of the the Dhyani Buddhas), and a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Harati, the Goddess of smallpox and other epidemics.The presence of the Harati Devi temple signifies the intermingling of the pantheons of Hinduism and Buddhism in the development of the religious trends of Nepal. As Buddhists had no deity in their own pantheon to protect against the dreaded smallpox, they adopted the Hindu deity for assistance.


Atop Swayambhunath hill is another fascinating, though smaller and less visited temple. This is Shantipur, the 'Place of Peace', inside of which, in a secret, always locked, underground chamber lives the 8th century Tantric master Shantikar Acharya. Practising meditation techniques which have preserved his life for uncounted centuries, he is a great esoteric magician who has complete power over the weather. When the valley of Kathmandu is threatened by drought, the King of Nepal must enter the underground chamber to get a secret mandala from Shantikar. Soon after the mandala is brought outside and shown to the sky, rain begins to fall. Frescoes painted on the inside temple walls depict when last this occurred in 1658. The small temple has a powerful atmosphere; it is mysterious, stern and slightly ominous.


Swayambhunath stupa is also called the `Monkey Temple' because of the many hundreds of monkeys who scamper about the temple at night after the pilgrims and priests have departed. Nearby the Swayambhunath hill are other important temples such as the Shiva Jyotir Linga temple of Pashupatinath, Boudhanath stupa, Changu Narayan, Dakshinkali, and Budhanilkantha. Readers interested in studying the sacred sites of the Kathmandu valley in detail are referred to the works of Bubriski, Majupuria and Moran listed in the bibliography.

Boudhanath

Boudhanath Stupa (or Bodnath Stupa) is the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. It is the center of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu and rich in Buddhist symbolism. The stupa is located in the town of Boudha, on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu.


Boudhanath has been an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists & local Nepalis. It is located on what was a major trade route between Nepal & Tibet. Many traveling merchants used it as a resting place. It is also a popular tourist site. In 1979, Boudha became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Stupa of Boudhanath is the focal point of the district. There are at least 29 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries & Nunneries) around Boudhanath. The culture is very much Himalayan with a strong presence of Tibetans & Sherpas, as can be evidenced by the number of restaurants selling momos, thukpa & other Tibetan favorites. Many maroon clad Tibetan Buddhist monks & nuns can be seen walking around Boudha, especially at the Stupa. As a daily ritual, many people walk three or more times around the stupa while repeating the mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum' either quietly or aloud. During the days of & surrounding the full moons, the air is often thick with incense & mantras sung by monks, & the number of people visiting the Stupa increases significantly, along with the intensity of their mantras & prayers. Boudha is a fascinating & very spiritual area.

Boudhanath Stupa.

According to legend, Boudhanath Stupa was built during the 5th century AD, by an an old poultry woman who asked the king for land to construct a shrine to the Buddha. The king agreed, and offered her as much land as she could cover with the skin of a water buffalo. The woman proceeded to cut a buffalo hide into thin strips, and placed them end to end to form a huge circumference. The king realized that he had been tricked by the old woman, but he adhered to his word, and the stupa was constructed according to these dimensions. Nowadays, the stupa is the most popular site for Buddhists in Nepal, and throughout the day pilgrims can be seen circumambulating the structure chanting mantras. It is especially spectacular at night when adorned with butter lamps. Remember to walk around the stupa in a clockwise direction and also to spin the prayer wheels clockwise. There is a small entry fee (rps 150) to enter the stupa area. This can be waived for guests of hotels located at the other side of the stupa.


What to See

From above, Bodnath Stupa looks like a giant mandala, or diagram of the Buddhist cosmos. And as in all Tibetan mandalas, four of the Dhyani Buddhas mark the cardinal points, with the fifth, Vairocana, enshrined in the center (in the white hemisphere of the stupa). The five Buddhas also personify the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether), which are represented in the stupa's architecture.

There are other symbolic numbers here as well: the nine levels of Boudhanath Stupa represent the mythical Mt. Meru, center of the cosmos; and the 13 rings from the base to the pinnacle symbolize the path to enlightenment, or "Bodhi" — hence the stupa's name.

At the bottom, the stupa is surrounded by an irregular 16-sided wall, with frescoes in the niches. In addition to the Five Dhyani Buddhas, Boudhanath Stupa is closely associated with the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Padmapani), whose 108 forms are depicted in sculptures around the base. The mantra of Avalokiteshvara - Om Mani Padme Hum - is carved on the prayer wheels beside the images of Avalokiteshvara around the base of the stupa.

The base of the stupa consists of three large platforms, decreasing in size. These platforms symbolize Earth, and here you can look out at the mountains while listening to the chants of the devout doing kora, walking around the stupa praying.

Next come two circular plinths supporting the hemisphere of the stupa, symbolizing water. As at Swayabunath, Bodnath is topped with a square tower bearing the omnipresent Buddha eyes on all four sides.

Instead of a nose is a question-mark-type symbol that is actually the Nepali character for the number 1, symbolizing unity and the one way to reach enlightenment—through the Buddha's teachings. Above this is the third eye, symbolizing the wisdom of the Buddha.

The square tower is topped by a pyramid with 13 steps, representing the ladder to enlightenment. The triangular shape is the abstract form for the element of fire. At the top of the tower is a gilded canopy, the embodiment of air, with above it a gilded spire, symbolic of ether and the Buddha Vairocana. Prayer flags tied to the stupa flutter in the wind, carrying mantras and prayers heavenward.

The main entrance to the upper platform of Bodnath Stupa is on the north side. Here Amoghasiddhi, progenitor of the future Buddha, presides. Below Amoghasiddhi is the Buddha Maitreya, the future Buddha.

Surrounding Boudhanath Stupa are streets and narrow alleys lined with colorful homes, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and street vendors.

Pashupatinath

Sri Pashupatinath is Hindu , Powerful and Famous  God Shiva  Temple of World Situated in Nepal. Pashupatinath is also known as Father and Supreme God of All Hindu Devotee Around The world. About Exact Location To Catch Pashupatinath ,Lord Shiva 'Sri Pashupatinath Temple' is Situated in Kathmandu, Capital city of Nepal.Every Taxi takes directly to Temple from any place,those  Who are in or those who had entered already in Kathmandu city(Capital of Nepal) with Bus or airlines From Outside Nepal .Every International Airlines landing Point is kathmandu city for Nepal,So From kathmandu Airport Temple is only 15 Minutes Far in Distance. So Kathmandu Airport is only Single International Airport of Nepal,so there is no difficult to get pashupatinath temple when any one visit nepal from Airlines.

According to 'Himbawat Khanda' Those Human Being With Devotion or Without Devotion,Anger,Unhonest,Illusion,Imperiousness, Says and takes names  Pashupati Pashupati ,they will get Freedom(Mukti).

Those Human,With Consiousness of God Shiva,with Devotion those who will feed Food(bhojan) to Brahmin,they will get all happiness in earth and will be respectable by Heaven God and At last attain Home at Shiva Loka.Hence will be similar as God (Dev).


Pashupatinath - Lord of Creatures
Lord shiva or shankar in his gentle aspect is Known as Pashupatinath or lord of Creatures.The Glory of Pashupatinath is mentioned in Puranas as well as in Mahabharat,Himbawat Khanda. The Word 'Pashupatinath' Described 3 Meaning , Pashu+Pati+Nath ,Where Pashu(All Beings,Creatures),Pati(Swami or Father), and Nath(Protecter or Creator).
Origin of jyotirlinga  - Pashupatinath Shivalinga
Lord shiva Sri Pashupatinath is worshipped as Linga form or Shivalinga aspect.Shivalinga in Nepal is worshipped as God of Creation.A Stone roller made cylindrically in shape of phallus is inshrined in many shiva shrines of Nepal and are worshipped as direct form and symbol of lord shiva. The Famous linga of Nepal is that of pashupatinath,the guardian deity of Nepal.

The Shiva Linga of Pashupatinath is Self Existing. It is Found on the Spot where kamdhenu the Celestial cow used to  offer her milk right at very spot.So due to curiosity of what was the reason that kamdhenu offers daily milk here,people started a digging the ground. And by the Suprise a Full of light gushed out and all people burnt to ashes.The All people Burn and died due to cosmic rediation emitted by linga.

It is also said that Lord shiva is said to have effused a ray of light from here connecting all the higher and lower world in order to decide quarrel between brahma and vishnu as to which them is superior. Later Brahma,Vishnu,Kubera came here and worshipped the jyotirlinga(Repledent linga).It is said that lord vishnu made easy to worship pashupatinath linga by offering mukuta,built a temple and made easy to darshan for all.

A Unique feature of pashupatinath is that the linga had Panchamukhi Wigraha,Five Face of lord pashupatinath.The Four face in four direction and One face in top of linga.The four face name of pashupatinath is Tatpurush(Parabrahma),Aghor,Vamdev, and Sadojat. And up face name is Ishan.


Description About Faces of Pashupatinath -
The Face of Pashupatinath,Mukh of pashupatinath are Four face in Four Direction,where as Main one face of sri pashupatinath is at 90 degree,above all four faces of sri pashupatinath.

Tatpurush - The Face towards East is known as 'Tatpurush' or Parambrahma. He is also known as Supreme Being.He is Indra,King of All Deities.

Aghor - The Face towards South is Known as Aghor. The Calm form of pashupatinath(Lord-shiva).Aghor is Symbolic Representation of Yamraj,the lord of Death.Then Deadful form is both calm and Terrifying.

Bamdev - The Face Towards North is known as Bamdev. Bamdev is worshipped as God of giving.

Sadojat- The Face Toward West is known as Sadojat.It depicts the Face of Child.(God shiva child aspect).

Ishan - The upper Face is Faceless and Known as Ishan.Ishan is also known as shiva organ and main face of pashupatinath. The symbol of extreme happiness.It is greatest form of Shakti or energy.The ishan is also worshipped as to attain knowledge and fulfillment of desires.

The four face of Sri pashupatinath  Four dham(Pilgrimage) or dwarika as West face Sadojat ,South Aghor as Rameshwar,East tatpurush as Jaggarnath and North Bamdev as Badrinath.

Lord Pashupatinath (The Praisable God of Hindus)
Lord pashupatinath is Deities of Deities Great Deities (MahaDev).There is Found the Song of the Greatness in all Vaidic and Pauraheek (oldic books) Books.Especially in the sixteen chapter of Sukla Yajurveda is fulled with the Praises and Stotra(song of Praising and Saluting).One Mantras is Well Known of this Chapter where is said Praising of Sada Shiva like this. "Om Namo Shambha Bayach  Namo Bhawa Yach NamaSankayach Mayaskaraych Namah Shivayacha Shiwatarayacha". Whose Meaning is we Salute the Lord Shankar Who is Basis of World welfare,we salute the lord siva who is the cause of whole world's Pleasure and Hero,we salute the great welfare giver Lord shiva who is always welfare to Self created creation,Salute to the top welfare for all welfare's Lord Sada Shiva.

Only the Shelter-giver of the Jeeva (the Creatures who is binded by the maya or ignorance), The feeling of the Creature Lord Shree pashupatinath who is Great Praisable and Devotable to the Whole Creature-World.

Bagmati River Pashupatinath Mandir - बाग्मती नदि पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर
About Bagmati River - Holy River Bagmati,Shiva Ganges is Situated in Nepal,Pashupatinath Temple.The River Comes From Baghdwar near sundari mai temple.Every year in Chadh festival,Janai purnima,Maha shivaratri etc festival there is  huge mass of devotee who comes  to take holy bath from around the world.It is mention that any one who bath in bagmati and worship pashupatinath attain Shiva blessing and Boon.One will get freedom from all Sin.

Bagmati(shiva Ganga) - Lord Sri pashupatinath ji gave order to Brahma for Creation.Brahma Created whole world,buildings  but he was unknowledgable to create living beings.So after that he went to Mrigendra Shikhar(Bagh Dwar) and did meditation (Tapasya) to happy Shiva. Lord Shankar became happy with Brahma and after appearing lord shiva Chortle very loudly.Ater Chortleing it came few drop of  water from mouth.This small drop of water(jal)  resulted in River form. After Seeing this Lord shiva became very Happy and kept name as Bagmati River or (Shiva-ganga).Shiva gave Different boon to River and  Brahma and became invisible from there.

In Himbawat Khanda Maha puran,Lord Shiva Said "You Originated From front part of my tongue,So your name will be 'Bagmati'.So you originated from me ,so your name will be 'Shiva Ganga'.From Trata yug to end of Dwapar yug your name will will remain Shivaganga.You will be respected and worship by all God.In any Festival any one who will bath ritually you and Bath(snan) me your Jal(water),For them i will remove from Suffering World.Saying this much lord shiva became Antardhyanam(Invisible) from there.

After Brahma ji gave boon that "You came out from Shiva Mouth,So world will Say you Bagmati.After Crossing From Human to Kaliyuga 50000 Years old.You will Sit in this Earth 30 thousand years old.After that You will be Safely Swarganga.

So after saying like this to Bagmati , Maha Vishnu Knew  about Bagmati and  came to Bagmati place.Lord Vishnu Became Very happy after Seeing Bagmati and Said - Hey  Bagmati ! You will will worship as Brahma Saraswati in Middle of Treata yug and Dwapar yug.

So Like this Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesh gave boon to Bagmati,Wish fullfiller of pure holy world work,Religion Work Moksha welfarer etc.. different boon.So by listening Brahma mouth all god,rishi muni, came here and started doing ritual holy bath here and started getting Siddhi.Big big Sinner also attained liberation.So like this Bagmati became world famous.

About this Lord Shiva Speaks to Brahma and Vishnu -  "Sinner who will not get liberation from other Holy river and Piligrim is attained in Bagmati because my half power is Originated as Bagmati.

Like this it is Mention in 'Nepal Mahatmya' 1st Chapter - After originating from my Mouth,its name Remain Bagmati.Any where Human being who bath in Bagmati River attain me,there is no doubt on it.

According to Skanda Puran Himwat khand - Any one who had suffered from diseases and any one whose life is hanged on necked being even big sinner ,those who keep their  both feet in bagmati jal(water),they will attain Shiva place which is attained by different yog sadhana.

Mriga Rup Shiva (deer form shiv) speak to lord Brahma,vishnu.Indra:"My main place Bagmati,any one who bath there will be consider as  Narayan.Any one who is even Big sinner who bath in Bagmati attain Shivaloka after leaving their Body,there is no doubt on it.Afer Crossing Kali 50000 years,Bagmati will be Ganga.

Sri Krishna Bhagwan Said to God "After starting  Kaliyug,Bagmati will be worshipped and Equal as 100 Ganga.

Any human being Who bath in Bagmati river should not take birth in Animal,Birds etc..

According to Varaha Puran - Bagmati River who flows from Big mountain of Himalaya Water is Equal and Pure as Ganga.Any one who bath there will attain Baikuntha loka.Doing Achaman(Ritual Rinse) will attain Heaven and After dying attain shivlok,there is no doubt in it. Great in All River "Bagmati' ,any one who bath there attain boon of Doing Raj Surya and Ashomegh Yagya.Any one who bath with pure heart and devotion in Bagmati River Should not take birth in Pashu Yoni(animals birth).

Some important Points to Remember while Entering Temple
1- Inside main temple of pashupatinth, Entering with Shoes,Camera,leather belt,mobile phone,plastic bag etc is Strictly prohibited .We should read notice board or Enquiry Police while visiting any temple in Nepal.
2- We should be aware ourself with pick pocketers in Temple. We should Enquiry police immeditately if we have guess on someone.We should not wear ornament and jwellery while visiting any temple in nepal.

3 - Only Nepalese and  Indian Origin Hindu can darshan and enter pashupatinath temple main temple.Western people can see pashupatinath temple from very near from opposite side of temple,from Place called 'Beautiful' or 'Mrigasthali'.

Lumbini

Lumbini

Location: Rupandehi, Nepal
Religion: Buddhism
Significance: birthplace of the Lord Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama, who eventually became the Lord Buddha, is said to have been born in a garden in Lumbini, Nepal, in 623 BC. Siddhartha was a prince who left his palace at the age of 29 to seek enlightenment. Lumbini began attracting pilgrims after 249 BC, when the Indian emperor King Ashoka first travelled there. The Ashokan Pillar in Lumbini Garden marks the king’s pilgrimage and is inscribed with a dedication to the Buddha. Other sacred monuments include the stone slab where Siddhartha was born, housed by the Maya Devi Temple, and the pool in which Siddhartha was bathed after being born, called Puskarni.

Nepal: From 60m. to 8848 metres

Nepal is a tourist gold mine, and the capital Kathmandu a living cultural museum of the world. The co-author of "The Rough Guide to Nepal" James McConnachie opines, 'Nepal really opened itself to the outside world some fifty years ago…now Nepal has overthrown a virtually medieval monarchy, launched democracy, seen its royal family massacred, started a Maoist insurrection (and stopped it again) deposed its new king and contemplated federalism.'

Nepal, an underdeveloped country in South Asia with an area of 147,181 sq. km and 26.7 million population ,is not only rich in its cultural heritage reflected amply by the architectural marvels such as ancient palaces, temples and monuments but also endowed with natural beauty. The trekking and mountaineering trails passing through rolling hills, majestic mountains and deep valleys remind the trekkers and mountaineers a 'Shangri-La' to be explored in their life-time.

The Lonely Planet writes- ' Draped along the greatest heights of the Himalaya, Nepal is where the ice-cold of the mountains meets the steamy heat of the Indian plains. It's a land of yaks & yetis, stupas and Sherpas and some of the best trekking on earth. Only in Nepal you can trek for weeks without the need even for a tent. No longer does your name have to be Tenzing or Hillary to set foot in Everest Base Camp. Nepal is an amazingly diverse country that offers something for everyone. One journey through this land is rarely enough. The first thing many people do after a visit is start planning the next one.'

Alluring snow-clad mountains, green hills, beautiful valleys, magnificent lakes, socio-cultural heritage, white water rafting and jungle safaris attract thousands of tourists to Nepal each year. There is no country in the world with geography as extreme as that of Nepal. The mountain and Terai region (covering 23 percent of total area with 20 districts) have different geographical structure and climatic conditions, altitude ranging from 60 metres (Kechana Kalan of Jhapa district) to 8848 metres(Mt. Everest) from the sea level.

The mountain region (occupies 35.2 percent of the total area with 16 districts) and the hilly region (42 percent of the total area with 39 districts) is magnet for trekkers and mountaineers the world over since the early 1920's. These regions, relatively isolated and economically underdeveloped, have allured international visitors in terms of trekking and mountaineering. Very few countries in the world offer as many varieties of adventure tourism as Nepal.

Boasting eight of the world's highest mountains above 8000 meters, ten world heritage sites, pristine natural beauty accompanied by the distinctive cultural features preserved in the mountain enclaves and habitations, Nepal has attracted travellers, trekkers, mountaineers and scholars from different parts of the world. Many travel writers have described Nepal as-land of the living Goddess, Himalayan pilgrimage, the country of Mt. Everest, country of non-stop festivals, land of brave Gurkhas, Shangri-La, land of Yak and Yeti, birth place of apostle of peace-Lord Buddha, melting pot of Hinduism and Buddhism and a living cultural museum of the world. Traditionally deemed as an adventure destination for mountaineers and trekkers, tourists are exploring the country's rich cultural heritage, fascinating landscape and nature in recent years.

The major attractions of Nepal are majestic snowy Himalayas, beautiful natural lakes and rivers, world famous Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites, national parks and reserves with a variety of endangered wildlife and rich cultural tradition of its people. A traveller visiting Nepal can enjoy adventurous activities like mountaineering, trekking, rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, paragliding, bungee-jumping and enjoy a mountain flight to view the grandeur and spectacular scenery of the Himalayan range including Mt. Everest. A traveller, who loves soft adventure, can explore cultural heritage of the three ancient cities of Kathmandu valley.

The Kathmandu valley -Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur situated at an altitude of 1300 meters with an area of 570 sq. km. and nearly 2.2 million populations - is a home to a world-class artistic and architectural heritage. As the seven world heritage sites- Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Changu Narayan and Pashupatinath are located within 20 km. radius of the city, the tourists can explore the living cultural museum during their short stay in Nepal.

Nepal, mentioned as a trekker's paradise, offers once-in a life-time opportunity to the trekkers to visit remote parts of the country and get acquainted with lifestyle of its people. Treks in Nepal range from short ones to a couple of days and weeks, especially in the trekking season from mid-September to May which depends on trekker's interest, time and experience. Thousands of trekkers from around the world trek the most popular trekking regions of Nepal such as Everest region, Annapurna circuit, Helambu, Gosainkunda, Langtang, Mustang, Jumla, Dolpa etc.each year. The recently launched 1700 km Great Himalayan Trail trek has lured the trekkers since the last two years.

In addition, Nepal is considered as an eco-tourism destination and a centre of wildlife tourism and jungle safari owing to her rich bio-diversity. A total of 9 national parks, 3 wildlife reserves, 6 conservation areas, and 1 hunting reserve including 11 buffer zone areas in and around protected areas covering 19.70 percent of the land offer the travellers to discover a large variety of ecosystem including plant species, birds and animals. Chitwan National park, designated by UNESCO as natural heritage site in 1984, is one of the success stories in wildlife tourism protecting one-horned rhinoceros and Royal Bengal tigers including different species of birds, mammals, reptiles and water animals. Chitwan National park, one of the top wildlife safaris in Asia, is considered the' Best Wildlife Safari Destination of the World ' with facilities of six famous hotels and jungle lodges inside the national park area, about 90 hotels and lodges in Sauraha and 17 more in emerging Patihani area of Chitwan.

The Pokhara valley, 200 km-west of Kathmandu, is another popular destination of Nepal and the Lake City provides ample opportunity of sightseeing of majestic panoramic views of the Annapurna Himalayan range, fishtail peak- Machhapuchhare, boating in popular Fewa Lake and fishing in garden of seven lakes. Renowned travel writers have opined that the tourist travels to Nepal will be incomplete without visit of Pokhara, Chitwan, and Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. Ekai Kawaguchi, the first Japanese to visit Nepal in 1899, noted in his travelogue that 'in all my travels in the Himalayas, I saw no scenery so enchanting as that which enraptured me in Pokhara.'

The majestic towering mountains, turbulent streams, azure lakes, softy waterfalls, conjure visions of a Himalayan Shangri-La, rich cultural heritage and unforgettable jungle safaris have attracted thousands of visitors to Nepal each year. Despite these attractions and popular tourism products, Nepal is an unsung destination in the world tourism map. Both the private sector and the government are eager to develop new tourism products to attract more travellers in recent years. A total of 720,000 tourists visited Nepal (including 544,185 via air and among them -about 145,338 Indian and 45,400 Chinese tourists) during Nepal Tourism Year-2011, which aimed to welcome one million visitors. Let us hope that the Lumbini Visit Year-2012 be a success story in Nepal tourism to attract a million tourists in this incredible destination of South Asia.

Pashupatinath and Tirupati

Pilgrimage/ religious tourism is on the increase with a growing number of people visiting holy sites and historical places. Academicians see a distinction between religious tourism and pilgrimage. "Pilgrimage is when people set out on a journey to visit a place associated with a holy event in order to deepen their relationship with God. Religious tourism is when people go on holiday or on a day trip to visit shrines because they are primarily interested in history or architecture but in so doing may learn something of the tradition and faith", opines Bishop Dominic Walker.

The BBC recently enlisted 10 world sites of religious pilgrimage as follows : birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini (Nepal); home of the Pope and centre of the Roman Catholic Church, Vatican City (surrounded by Rome, Italy); birthplace of the Protestant Reformation-Wittenberg (Saxony, Germany); birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad - Mecca (Saudi Arabia); the most important site of the Char Dham, the fourth Hindu Pilgrimage Centers -- Badrinath (Uttarakhand, India); holiest place of worship for Sikhs --Golden Temple (Amritsar, India); the holiest of Jewish sites - Western Wall (Jerusalem, Israel); mausoleum of the founder of the precursor religion to the Baha'i Faith - Shrine of the Bab (Haifa, Israel); most sacred city for Jains - Palitana (Gujarat, India) and religious destination for four major religious groups of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism - Sri Pade in Sri Lanka. These sites of religious pilgrimage attract millions of visitors from all parts of the world each year.

As the international tourism market is expanding each year, there are hundreds of new destinations associated with religious and pilgrimage tourism in the world. The tour operators have developed special package for visitors aspiring to visit the places of pilgrimage worldwide. In this context, South Asia also attracts a large number of tourists in different religious and pilgrimage sites of this region, especially in the shrines located in Nepal, India and Sri Lanka.

Nepal is blessed with unique natural and cultural sites recognized by UNESCO as 'World Heritage Sites'. The two natural sites enlisted in the world heritage sites are Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, whereas the seven cultural sites include - Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath, and the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan. These seven cultural heritage sites are within the periphery of 25 kilometers in Kathmandu Valley. Many visitors and travel writers have dubbed Nepal as a Land of Living Goddess, a Land of Temples and Home of Gods. A tourist visiting Nepal finds numerous Gods and temples in different parts of the country.

The most popular places of pilgrimage in Nepal are --Pashupatinath Temple, Gosaikunda, Devghat, Damodarkunda, Ridhighat, Muktinath, Janakpur, Barahachhetra, Balmiki Ashram, Manakamana, Lumbini, Swayambhunath stupa and Bouddha stupa. Besides hundreds of temples in Kathmandu Valley, there are many Shakti-peeths related to Goddess Durga in Nepal - namely Dakshinkali, Guhewsari, Pathivara, Shaileswori, Vindyavashini, Manakamana etc. All deities are worshipped by both of the Hindu and Buddhist communities with equal reverence and feasts. As religious tolerance is one of the attractive features of the Nepali Society, Hindus and Buddhists including other religious communities live in peace and harmony. Being a popular pilgrimage centre of South Asia, Nepal is also a land of festivals with celebration being observed somewhere almost every day of the year.

From the time immemorial, Nepal is a destination of Hindu pilgrims from India and other parts of the world as it happens to be the land of Lord Pashupatinath. Hinduism is the world's third largest religion after Christianity and Islam with more than 1 billion followers (about 15% of the world's population) all over the world.

The Pashupatinath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated on the bank of Bagmati river and lies about five kms east of Kathmandu near Tribhuwan International Airport. Pashupatinath temple is the centre of Hindu pilgrims around the world on the day of Maha Shivaratri. The two tiered golden temple of Lord Shiva is one of the finest example of Nepali architecture. Hundreds of Sages (Sadhus) from different parts of Nepal and India visit Pashupatinath during Maha Shivaratri festival and thousands of devotees take ritual baths in the Bagmati river and observe a fast for the whole day during Maha Shivaratri and Teej festivals.

The area of Pashupatinath encompasses 264 hectre of land covering places like Devpatan, Jayabageswari, Gaurighat, Gaushala and Sleshmantak area with more than 492 temples, sattals, chaitya and monuments besides more than 1000 Shiva Lingas. Regarded as the most sacred Hindu temple in the world, the temple stands as a symbol of faith, religion, culture and tradition.

Pashupatinath temple is believed to be built by Supus Padeva, a Lichhavi king who according to the stone inscription erected by Jayadev II in the courtyard of Pashupatinath in 753 AD., happened to be the ruler 39 generation before Man Dev (464-505 AD). The area has been developed, maintained and preserved since 1297 AD under patronage of erstwhile rulers, when the famous roof was added in the temple. Pashupati temple, the master of all living beings of the universe, is said to be constructed in the fifth century and later renovated by different Malla Kings. A gold plated roof, four silver doors, wood carvings of the highest quality and artistic styles decorate the pagoda temple of Pashupatinath. Only Hindus are permitted inside the Pashupatinath courtyard and the banks of Bagmati river, behind the temple, are used as cremation sites for Hindus. Guheshwori temple and several Shivalayas in the Sleshmantak forest area on the eastern hilltop of the temple are other pilgrim sites of the area.

The priests were recruited from Brahamins in South India since 1746 AD, when the then king of Kathmandu Pratap Malla appointed the South Indian Priests in Pashupatinath. There are four Bhatta priests and 106 Newars as Bhandaris (store keepers and protectors) in Pashupatinath temple. The new government of Federal Republic of Nepal in May 2009 issued a regulation enabling Nepalese citizens and others to become priests of the temple ending the centuries old monopoly of Sound Indian Brahmins, but it could not be implemented due to controversy in Nepal and India. The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), a separate autonomous body established in 1990, looks after the management of the area.

Though the Pashupatinath temple was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979, the area was encroached and has to face negative effects of urbanization and commercialization. The state of Pashupatinath temple area is miserable even these days. Bagmati river is most polluted and the efforts to clean sacred Bagmati river are limited only in publicity and propaganda. It is said that drainage recycling centres are being established in many areas of Bagmati river to clean polluted and dirty water of Bagmati flowing in the lower banks of Pashupatinath but the problem has not been solved. The concrete structures in the vicinity of Pashupatinath are causing deforestation in the area. Though the illegally built houses in the heritage site are demolished recently, much has to be done to develop Pashupatinath temple as a pilgrimage centre. Political interference, misuse of donations offered by the devotees, lack of management planning and apathy of the concerned government agencies are major causes of plight of the world heritage site.

Millions of Rupees is misused due to lack of specific regulation and transparency of monetary offerings since a long time. Earlier the temple priests - Bhatta and Bhandaris used to divide the collected money among them, now they are provided fix salaries. The yearly income of Pashupatinath is estimated to be at least Rs. 50 million this year in accordance with the present daily earning of Rs. 135000 offered by the devotees. It means that billions of Rs has been misused by the priests earlier.

As the PADT has focused for transparency of monetary offerings of the temple, the priests and Bhandaris are reluctant to provide satisfactory services to the devotees, who pay huge money for special worships in the temple. The tourists are charged NP Rs 500 for entrance in the Pashupati area (non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple of Pashupatinath), but they are not given even an information brochure for visiting the sacred area. Internet worshiping at the Pashupatinath temple is limited only in publicity of PADT. Against these backdrops, the Pashupati Area Development Master Plan should be developed and implemented effectively , so that Pashupatinath area could be a model shrine of Hindus like other pilgrimage destinations of neighboring India.

The top pilgrimage sites in India are - Vaishno Devi (Jammu), Ganges (Haridwar and Rishikesh), Tirupati Balaji, Amarnath, Badrinath, Rameshwaram, Jagannath temple, Shirdi, and Kanyakumari. The Kumbha Mela has been regarded as the world's largest religious gathering of Hindu pilgrims. Among the popular pilgrimage spots of India, Tirupati Balaji attracts thousands of visitors each year and has been developed as a model pilgrimage destination in the recent years.

The temple of Lord Venkateswara, located at Tirumala hill of Andhra Pradesh in India is one of the most visited Hindu Shrines and richest temple in the world. The temple of Lord Balaji is located in the Seventh Peak of Tirumala hill, 3200 ft. above sea level and about 10.33 sq. miles in area. The temple is said to be jewel in the crown of ancient places of worship in south India with a history of over 2000 years.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has made several innovations to develop the area as top pilgrimage site of India. Besides social, educational, religious, publications, literacy research activities, TTD has run Institute of Surgery, school for the deaf, different professional colleges, Veda recording project, Institute of Medical sciences and training centre for the handicapped. The Venkateswar Central library and research centre works toward studying and publishing material related to Hindu religion and philosophy.

According to TTD reports, the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara netted a whopping Indian Rs. 1,700 crore income in 2011 during which 22 million devotees, including a galaxy of VVIPs, offered their worship. While about Rs. 1,100 crore of income came from cash offerings by devotees in the temple ,hundi and interest on investments including gold deposits with nationalized banks, sale of daily tickets for rituals and darshan fetched more than Rs. 200 crore during the year.Besides, devotees also offered diamond, gold and silver jewellery worth several crores of rupees to the presiding deity of the cash-rich shrine during the year.

The facilities in the Tirupati Balaji include facilities to pilgrims walking up the hills, transportation of luggage free of charge to Tirumala, provision for cooking at different places, availability of drinking water all along the footpath, facilities of canteens run under hygienic conditions, availability of bathrooms , provisions of sun shade at important points for rest, arrangements for patrol by security guards, relay of religious programs through local broadcasting systems , communication facilities round the clock for convenience of pilgrim devotees, free full meals in the canteen complexes to the devotees and free medical aids. The TTD has invested the money collected from the devotees in different social and religious services in a transparent way.

Lastly, let us compare the facilities provided by PADT in Pashupatinath area and TTD in Tirupati Balaji area. A long-term planning and vision for development of Pashupatinath temple area is necessary, so that Pashupatinath temple could also be model pilgrimage sites for millions of Hindus like Tirupati Balaji. Let us hope PADT will move forward in making Pashupatinath temple area, a most popular pilgrimage destinations in the world.
(The writer is editor of Online travel and tourism news portal www.travelbiznews.com and Former editor-in-chief of Gorkhapatra daily)

The Mustang region of Nepal

Centuries ago, it destroyed the foundations of a Buddhist monastery under construction in central Tibet. Then Guru Rinpoche, who had brought Buddhism to the kingdom, pursued the demon west, deep into Mustang. The two fought among Mustang’s snow peaks, desert canyons and grasslands. Guru Rinpoche prevailed, and he scattered the demon’s body parts across Mustang: its blood formed towering red cliffs, and its intestines tumbled to the wind-scoured earth east of the cliffs. Later, people would build a wall of prayer stones, the longest in Nepal, atop the intestines.

On the fifth day of our trek, we stood above the demon’s heart. Here, on a hillside, the people of Mustang had built the monastery of Lo Gekar, one of the oldest in the Tibetan world. A lama showed us around. I found no remnants of a demonic heart, but the walls in a dark room at the rear were covered with paintings of fearsome creatures with fangs and blue skin. Tibetans called them protector deities. Our guide, Karma, pulled me over into the shadows and pointed to another wall. I squinted, and saw a statue of Buddha that had been carved from the rock. Or so I thought.

“They say the statue is natural and was discovered this way,” Karma said. “People in Mustang have many stories. They believe everything. There are spirits everywhere you look.”

Mustang was a caldron of myth, as I discovered on a 16-day trek through the Himalayan region of Nepal in September. Modernity was creeping in to the area, but the stories that people told had evolved little over centuries. As I walked through the valleys and white-walled villages, I heard tales that brought alive the harsh land, a place of deep ravines and stinging wind and ancient cave homes. It had been this way before the kingdom was united under Ame Pal in the 14th century, and the narratives seem as alive today as ever.

I had longed to visit Mustang ever since I got a glimpse of it while trekking the nearby Annapurna Circuit 12 years ago. On the northern arc of the circuit was the village of Kagbeni, with its red-walled monastery. To the north was an expansive gorge carved by the Kali Gandaki River. Beyond lay Upper Mustang, or the Kingdom of Lo, forbidden to those who did not have a permit from the Nepalese government.

This fall seemed like the right time for me to go. As a boy, I had seen my mother embrace certain Buddhist beliefs, and later I began walking paths in the Himalayas in search of something transcendent in the landscape and the abiding expressions of faith. I would soon turn 40, and my first child was on the way. It was time to make a Himalayan pilgrimage at the close of a chapter of my life and the beginning of another.

There was another reason to visit now. Last year, as a wave of self-immolations swept across the Tibetan plateau, China restricted access to the region — which had already been limited since 2008. For tourists, Mustang is a good alternative. It provides a taste of authentic Tibetan culture, and, like much of Tibet, it lies in the Trans-Himalaya, a vast high-altitude desert to the north of the main Himalayan range, which blocks most of the monsoon clouds that dump rain on India and Southeast Asia in the summer.

Last year, nearly 3,000 tourists entered Upper Mustang, according to statistics in a government office in Kagbeni, an increase of more than 25 percent from about three years earlier. But the permit fee — $500 for 10 days, and $10 for each additional day — still deters many travelers. The low numbers, though, are welcomed by those trekkers looking to avoid the busy Annapurna and Everest trails, as well as by some Mustangis, even ones who say the government needs to give Mustang a greater portion of permit revenue.

“Our land is in one of the most beautiful corners of the world,” said Jigme Singi Palbar Bista, 55, the ceremonial prince of Mustang. “But if a lot of tourists come, we wouldn’t be able to support them all.”

After a week in the Katmandu Valley with my wife, Tini, I met up with my friend Gilles and flew north, between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. Many trekkers rush from Kagbeni to Lo Manthang, the walled capital of Mustang, and back in 10 days. We decided to go more slowly and explore some of the hidden corners along the way. Summertime in Nepal is when some of its last remaining nomads set up camp in the high grasslands west of Lo Manthang. In that area, too, are peaks of more than 20,000 feet beckoning to be explored. A 16-day permit would also allow us time to travel up the valleys running north of Lo Manthang, toward Tibet, and then return to Kagbeni along the canyons east of the Kali Gandaki. The eastern half of Mustang was more remote, and it had some of the best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist cave art in the world.

Each day of the trek, I marveled at how the landscape of Mustang was unlike anything I had seen in the Himalayas. It was a place of canyon vistas revolving around the enormous valley of the Kali Gandaki. The trekking routes on both sides of the river ran up and down side valleys. The rivers were low most of the year, but some summer monsoon rains meant we had to ford rivers a half-dozen times.

Much of Upper Mustang is a desolate place, inhabited by about 5,400 people and once crossed only by Tibetan pilgrims and yak caravans. We entered the area on the second day of the trek. There, at a wide stretch of the Kali Gandaki, the waters were flowing high and fast. All our gear was lashed to three horses. Besides Karma, our team consisted of Gombo, a horseman from Lo Manthang, and Fhinju, an ethnic Sherpa cook.

After the trail crossed the Kali Gandaki, it climbed steeply up to the village of Samar, considered the wettest and greenest place in Mustang. Right before dusk, we crossed a pass draped with Tibetan prayer flags and walked down to a lodge. Karma came from Samar, and his brother, the village head, owned the lodge. The main villages in Mustang all had at least one home where trekkers could stay. The rooms had simple beds or a bench with a thick Tibetan wool rug. Exhausted from a long day of trekking, Gilles and I sat down in the warm kitchen for dinner, next to French travelers. For dessert, the brother’s wife prepared apple pie with custard.

From next door came the sound of a pounding drum. “Traveling lamas,” Karma said.

Over the next days, we settled into our trekking routine: get up at 6 or 7, eat breakfast, walk for six to eight hours, reach a village before nightfall. The countryside became more barren the farther north we went, as we approached Lo Manthang. The hues of the mountains — shades of red and brown and ocher — changed each day, and varied with the movement of the sun.

All across the rugged land, people had built Buddhist chortens, or small stupas, atop hills, on pathways leading into villages and even inside caves, in part to ward off spirits that would do them harm. Tibetan Buddhism and the myths were intertwined threads that were in turn woven into the landscape.

With the tail end of the monsoon came the harvest. Villagers were out in the fields cutting down golden stalks of barley. But the harvest also brought out more stories of curses, bad spirits and misfortunes that could befall people. Karma said the high passes that linked Mustang with the arid land of Dolpo to the west could not be crossed until after the harvest, legend had it, lest the harvest end in disaster. The same held for climbing the unnamed peaks that rose to over 20,000 feet west of Lo Manthang. One day, tempting fate, I walked up one. When I reached the snowline, above 19,400 feet, it began hailing. Dark clouds loomed. I went down.

We reached Lo Manthang after that climb and a couple of nights camping near nomad families. We had sat in their black yak-wool tents and sipped cups of buttermilk tea. In Lo Manthang, I spoke to the prince of Mustang (his father, the 80-year-old king, had been ill for weeks) and visited the three red-walled monasteries at the heart of the town. We met a team of dozens of locals being led by an Italian, Luigi Fieni, who was repainting Buddhist artwork in the gargantuan Thubchen Monastery. Its towering roof was held up by a forest of wood pillars and its enormous gilded statues inspired awe.

After two days, we left, following Karma to a place just as singular but hidden by the land. From the village of Yara, we approached a cave east of the Kali Gandaki gorge that was reachable only by a vertical climb. We took off our packs and scrambled up using our hands. One slip and we would have plummeted hundreds of feet to the valley floor.

This was Tashi Kabum, a cave temple that local villagers had opened to the public only a few years ago. Inside was a large white chorten, and painted on the cave walls and roof were some of the best preserved ancient Buddhist art I had ever seen. I could make out lotus petals on the roof. On one wall was a portrait of a lama in red robes. More enigmatic was a painting of a smiling, ivory-skinned man in a seated position. His face was illuminated by sunlight streaming through an opening in the cliffside.

Fhinju, our Sherpa companion, brushed his fingers over the painting. “Chenrezig,” he said, and bowed his head in prayer.

For Tibetan Buddhists, Chenrezig was a bodhisattva embodying compassion. Tibetans believed the Dalai Lama was a reincarnation of him. He was a central figure in Buddhist pantheons across Asia. Growing up in an American suburb, I had watched my mother pray nightly in our living room to a statue of the Chinese incarnation, Guanyin.

Here, as far from my childhood home as it was possible to be, he gazed out at me again. Faith in him had crossed borders and transcended time. The tale took on a different meaning with each person. I stared into his eyes and saw his story unfolding in days to come.

Most trekkers enter Upper Mustang at the village of Kagbeni. The nearest airport is at Jomsom, a three-hour walk away. Flights to Jomsom from the resort town of Pokhara cost less than $100 each way. The airlines and frequency vary with the season, and there are often cancellations due to bad weather. But the view from the plane, which passes between some of the world’s highest mountains, is jaw-dropping. One alternative is to take a 14-hour bus ride to Jomsom along a route that has frequent landslides. Courtesy : International Heral Tribune

EU, Switzerland, Norway concerned over delays in Nepal’s peace process

EU missions in Kathmandu (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, UK, and the EU Delegation) including Norway and Switzerland on Thursday expressed concern for “delays in the completion of the peace process, respect for human rights and democracy in Nepal”.

In a statement today, they said, “In recent weeks we have witnessed a sharp upsurge in political debate. This activism reveals a deep desire for peace, democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law.”

The EU missions including Norway and Switzerland called on the political leaders of Nepal to listen to and act upon these concerns.

“Whether their focus is violence against women or conflict-era human rights cases, the message is clear: that crime must not be condoned; that victims must not be ignored; and that perpetrators must not be shielded from the due process of the law,” added the statement.

THE TROPICS OF NEPAL IN CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK

Many hikers and backpackers come to Nepal for its mountainous terrain; however, the oft-overlooked beauty of the country's lowlands offers visitors the chance to see some of the world's most pristine subtropical paradises.

Chitwan National Park encompasses many of the lowland's most revered ecological habitats and wildlife areas. Found at the base of the Himalayas, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to it being one of the largest expanses of native wildlands in the Terai region. While here, hikers will journey through numerous flood plains, Sal forests, and many acres of pristine grassland. While few flora enthusiasts are excited by grasses, the immense elephant grass, which grows more than 26 feet high, is worth further examination.

The wide variety of habitats are also home to a diverse wildlife population. Chitwan is home to one of the world's last remaining populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinos, as well as a home to the rare Bengal tiger. With more than 500 species of birds and 50 mammal species, travelers are guaranteed to have at least a few wildlife spottings during their treks.

Planting trees made compulsory for new houses in Kathmandu

If you are building a new house within Kathmandu Metropolis, now you have to allocate some area and money for planting trees, state-owned news agency RSS reports.

The Metropolis has implemented from today a new arrangement to plant at least two trees while getting approval of the map of the new house to be built now onwards. The new rule will be implemented from Tuesday as today is a public holiday.

The process of registration will begin only after there is area in map for planting at least two trees before the residential building within the town to increase greenery in the city and for making healthy, according to RSS

After the passing of the map the metropolis building and planting trees should be done side by side. The Forest Office will recommend various species of plants and metropolis will monitor. Certification of building will be given only after inspecting the works.

Residential houses already built should also plant trees if possible before the house within two years and if not possible, green plants should be planted in at least five flower pots in the verandah. If not complied, the metropolis will charge fines.

Kathmandu Metropolis Executive Officer Kedar Bahadur Adhikari told RSS it will increase beauty of the town and will make positive impact in environment.

Property worth Rs 5 million gutted in Namche fire

Property worth Rs 5 million was gutted as fire engulfed Namche Bazaar on Monday morning.

The fire broke out from a building previously housing a VDC building in Namche bazaar, has reduced the building to ashes and damaged three more structures in the area.

Solukhumbu District Police said that the fire, which has now been contained, damaged the buildings of Area Postal Office and that of a local local hotel.

Nepal Police, army personnel, local residents and tourists are trying to extinguish the fire, said officials. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Need to diversify trekking destination

Though figures for 2012 show an increase in the number of trekkers, trekking agents have claimed there still is a need to diversify trekking destinations.

“There has been a growth in number of trekkers but trekking in our country is still limited to only three regions,” said chief executive officer of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gangaram Pant.

Trekking activities are limited to the Annapurna, Langtang and Everest regions. “The government and the private sector must work together to diversify trekking destinations,” quoted the himalayantimes as his saying.

In 2012, TAAN in coordination with the government started around 12 different trekking destinations but due to lack of proper infrastructure and quality promotion, trekkers have been concentrated in only Annapurna, Langtang and Everest regions. “We are also planning to develop new trekking routes to Humla starting from March this year,” he said.

According to TAAN, among various trekking destinations, around 80 per cent tourists are mainly attracted to Annapurna, Everest and Langtang regions and a few others also opt for Lower Dolpa, Ganesh Himal and some trek to restricted areas such as Manaslu, Manang and Chun Valley.

Indian tourists’ arrival up by 13.3 percent

Tourists arrivals from India by air to Nepal have recorded a 13.3 per cent increase during 2012 over the previous year.

During 2012, Nepal received 1,64,680 tourists from India by air and the country hopes to register a 17 per cent increase in tourist arrivals from India to the country during 2013, according to Rohini Prasad Khanal, senior officer at Nepal Tourism Board.

A large number of Hindu devotees also visit Nepal, especially during Maha Sivarathri. Nepal has been listed in Lonely Planet’s ‘best value destinations,’ for 2013. Nepal has 10 national parks, six conservation areas, three wildlife reserves, and a hunting reserve.

Easy access by road, pleasant weather through out the year, and favourable currency exchange rates were major factors contributing to the popularity of Nepal among Indian tourists.

The HR Development and Training Department Organized

The HR Development and Training Department of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) recently organized an interaction with representatives of different government agencies on rules and policies for the tourism industry, particularly the trekking sector. In the program, representatives of different trekking agencies lambasted government authorities for making changes in rules and policies without informing the concerned stakeholders.

They were referring to the recent increment in bank guarantee amount and introduction of a new rule by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) that requires tourism enterprises to report about their foreign currency transactions each month. “Business enterprises must submit the report of the monthly foreign currency earned within 15 days of the next month to the central bank,” Rabindra Maharjan, deputy director of NRB, said,  adding that now the agencies will be issued a license for one year and if one fails to renew it within six months, it will be scrapped.

The central bank has also increased the bank guarantee to issue foreign exchange transaction license to Rs 50,000. During the program, Uttam Bhakta Wagle of Inland Revenue Department, Ram Prasad Koirala of Immigration Department, Surya Prasad Gautam of Copmany Registrar’s Office, Dhruba Rai of Nepal Tourism Board amd Mohan Krishna Sapkota of Tourism Industry Division under the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation answered queries raised by TAAN member agencies. Meanwhile, TAAN also conducted a demonstration of online-based software for Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) that it plans to implement in the near future.

Once the new software is introduced, trekkers can apply for TIMS card from anywhere in the world and collect the cards at authorized TIMS centers by producing a unique number given to them at the time of filing application.