Nepal:
Crowned by the majestic snowy mountains to the north &
bordered by deep jungles to the south, Nepal rises from
100 feet above sea level to 29,028' on Mount Everest in
less than 100 miles. It has the greatest concentration
of mountains in the world. And within its boundary lie
a diverse mix of race, creed and culture – people
friendly, attractive & hard working. It is a magical
land where deities mingle and vie with mortals in jubilant
festivals celebrating life’s unending mysteries.
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RAMECHHAP, March 3 - A helicopter of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) crashed at Bhwasa, Bethan VDC-9 of Ramechhap district Monday afternoon killing at least ten people on board.
According to a statement issued by Home Ministry Monday evening, seven foreign nationals and five Nepalis were on board the chopper that
left for Kathmandu from Dudhauli in Sindhuli district. The status of two of them is still unclear.
However, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said the ill-fated chopper was carrying only ten persons including three crew members.
Police sources said late Monday night that all of them --three Nepali nationals, three Russian crew members and four other foreign nationals--died on the spot. The Nepali nationals, according to police, have been identified as Rajesh Maharjan, Bhim Bahadur Gurung and Rabindra Khaniya, all three UNMIN staffers.
A statement issued by the CAAN said the chopper left for Kathmandu from Dudhauli of Sindhupalchowk district and lost radio contact at 4 pm. It was scheduled to land in Kathmandu at 4:30 pm.
The chopper had the registration number UN 301 MIL8.
Local resident Dipak Upreti of Bethan Higher Secondary School said the bodies of the crash victims are beyond
recognition. Eyewitnesses said the chopper was engulfed in fire.
Home Ministry under-secretary Eak Mani Nepal said poor weather conditions have prevented aerial rescue efforts. However, police units have been dispatched to the accident site and dozens of locals have also helped.
CAAN said two choppers are ready to leave for the accident site for rescue and salvage, but have been held back due to bad weather.
Meanwhile, UNMIN confirmed in a statement issued late Monday that at about 4 pm Monday UNMIN lost contact with a Mission helicopter which was returning to Kathmandu from the Maoist cantonment site at Sindhuli in the east of the country.
"UNMIN has had contact with local authorities at Ramechhap district, who advise that a helicopter has crashed in the vicinity of Bethan village, that the helicopter has been located and that there are fatalities. UNMIN has sent a party by road to the site of the reported crash to confirm information," said UNMIN in the statement.
It added that UNMIN is not in a position at this time to provide any further information, but will provide regular updates as confirmed information is available.
Recent helicopter accidents
S.No Airlines Date and place of Registration No. and type Fatality
accident
1 Heli Hansa Pvt. Ltd. May 07, 2006 9N-ADT, MI-17 None
Dhaulagiri BC
2 Karnali Air Pvt. Ltd. Aug. 08, 2006 9N-AGS, MI-17 IV None
Kathmandu
3 Air Dynasty Heli Services Pvt. Ltd. Sept. 03, 2006 9N-ACR, AS-350BA None
Feb 20 - Political parties submitted their closed-list of candidates to be elected under the proportional election representation (PR) system for the April 10 Constituent Assembly (CA) elections at the Election Commission (EC) central office in Kantipath in the capital on Wednesday.
The ruling parties Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist, Nepal Workers and Peasants' Party, People's Front Nepal, Shyam Sundar Gupta led Nepal Sadbhawana Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party have filed the closed-list.
Prime Minister and NC President Girija Prasad Koirala is apparently contending in the April polls under the PR system.
The NC's closed-list has put forth Koirala's name on the top under the proportional system, said our correspondent Bishnu Budathoki.
NC closed-list also includes the names of central member Bal Bahadur Rai, Maheshwor Prasad Sema, Kul Bahadur Gurung, Radheshyam Adhikari, Harihar Birahi, Kamala Pant, Ambika Basnet, Lokesh Dhakal and Purna Bahadur Khadka.
NC acting president Sushil Koirala claimed that the party's closed-list includes representatives from Madhesi, Dalit, women, indigenous communities of all the 75 districts.
Another major party UML has recommended the names of standing committee member Amrit Kumar Bohora, Modnath Prasit, Mukunda Neupane, Sahana Pradhan, Pradeep Nepal, central member Kashinath Adhikari, Kedar Neupane and industrialist Binod Kumar Chaudhari.
Likewise, Maoists have included the names of central leader Mohan Baidya Kiran, Dinanath Sharma, Nanda Kisor Pun Pasang, Lokendra Bista, Haribol Gajurel, Netra Bikram Chand Biplov, Hemant Oli, Narayan Sharma, Kulprasad KC and Hari Bhakta Kandel in the closed-list.
The former rebels have also included the names of independent individuals to be elected under the PR system for CA polls slated for April 10.
The EC had fixed the deadline for the submission of the closed-list of candidates under the PR system for 5 this evening.
38 of the 74 parties registered at the EC had submitted their closed-list until 7 this evening.
However, none of the parties representing Madhes have come to the EC to submit the closed-list of their candidates.
The interim constitution allows the 601-seat Constituent Assembly to be comprised of 335 members elected through the PR system, 240 members elected through the first-past-the-post system (FPTP) system and the remaining 26 members will be nominated by the Prime Minister.
The EC has informed that all the preparations for the closed-list under the PR system have been completed.
The EC has set the deadline for filing the names of party candidates under the FPTP system for February 25.
KATHMANDU, Feb 22 - With attempts ongoing to seek a consensus to end the current Terai crisis, Hridayesh Tripathi of the Terai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) Friday charged that differences within the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) government have created obstacles in furthering dialogue with the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF).
He said the talks are not running smoothly as the three major parties of the coalition government do not have a clear “vision”.
Former lawmaker Tripathi informed that the UDMF is open to talks with the government, but is seriously concerned by the oppression in the ongoing Terai agitation.
He further denied media reports that the talks between the UDMF and the government have failed.
Earlier today Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) joint coordinator Jaya Prakash Gupta claimed that talks with the Prime Minister's delegation have failed.
Addressing a programme in the capital this afternoon, Gupta informed that the talks failed after the government's talks team did not agree to guarantee the UMDF's demand of an autonomous Terai state prior to the constituent assembly elections, during Wednesday's meeting in which the Indian Ambassador had also participated.
Gupta is a member of the talks team of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), an alliance of three major agitating Madhes-based parties--- MPRF, TMDP and Sadbhawana Party.
Appa outdoes himself with record 17th bid on Everest
KATHMANDU, May 16 - Nepal's celebrated mountaineer Appa Sherpa scaled the world's highest peak Mount Everest for a record 17th time on Wednesday.
Appa, 47, – who was leading a 7-member team of Sherpas on a charity climb to raise education funds for children of mountain guides -- reached the summit at 8:45 this morning, president of Nepal Mountaineering Association Aang Tsering Sherpa said.
According to Sherpa, Appa and his team member of the Super Sherpa expedition Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa shot a video for a documentary and took some pictures on the top of the world.
The footages of the climb will be made into a charity documentary, the money raised from which will go towards providing better education and health care for children in the Sherpa community in the mountainous regions.
World record holder with 17 summits, four without oxygen on Mt. Everest, Appa, married with four children, reached the top of the world in the spring of 1990 for the first time.
Meanwhile, television journalist Kami Sherpa also scaled Mount Everest today itself, deputy-secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Aviation's Mountaineering Department Khadananda Dhakal said.
Airfares on Ktm-Delhi route up
CLUB OF HIMALAYA TREKKING
June 14 - The long-running severe air seats crunch seen on Kathmandu-Delhi sector has finally pushed up airfares on the sector in the range from 20 percent to 58 percent.
Major Indian carrier Indian Airlines has raised its fares by a whopping 58 percent on Kathmandu-New Delhi sector to Rs 10,800 for a one-way ticket from Rs 6,825 in the normal economy class. The airline has also increased ticket prices on Kathmandu-Varanasi and Kathmandu-Calcutta sectors by 46 percent. The new fare for flying on both routes currently stands at Rs 7,920, while it was Rs 5,425 earlier.
The air ticket of Jet Airways has now become costlier by around 44 percent on the sector. It has recently scrapped dual system of airfares -- at local currency and dollar, and adopted a single currency rate of US$ 152 (around Rs 9,800) a ticket in the normal economy class. Earlier, it used to cost Rs 6,825 at local currency fares, applicable to Nepali and Indian nationals.
Air Sahara also followed suit and revised the fares upward to Rs 8,220 on normal economy class from Rs 6,825. The fare of Druk Air, the national flag carrier of Bhutan, edged up by
Rs 1,200 per ticket to
Rs 5,700.
All airlines have their own story to defend the hike. Gautam Saha, country manager of Indian Airlines in Nepal, said the fare was revised due to the decision of the airlines to abandon dual pricing system.
“We had two different fares in the past, one at local currency for Nepalis as well as Indian nationals, and another at US dollar. But, we recently scrapped the dollar fares, and converted the dollar rate into Nepali currency that slightly pushed up airfares,” he said.
Pabitra Karki, managing director of Daphne Tours, GSA of Druk Air said the airline decided to push up prices slightly, as its fare was too low as compared to other airlines operating on the same route.
Like almost other sectors, airlines on Kathmandu-New Delhi are presently packed as more tourists are flocking to Nepal with the restoration of peace in the country. Tour operators said many tourists are giving up plans to visit Nepal as there is no air seat available.
Tourist arrivals grew by 43.4 percent in the first five months this year, with 143,640 tourists coming into the country. The number of Indian tourists shot up by 26.2 percent to 41,546.
UN Sec-Gen lauds "rapid strides" in Nepal peace process, says questions remain on arms mgmt
KATHMANDU,Nepal, April 28 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday said that Nepal's peace process has made rapid advances albeit questions still remain about the registration of the Maoist arms and armies.
"The peace process in Nepal has made remarkable progress since the start of last year, but complex questions remain about how to monitor the management of arms and armed personnel," Ban said in his Nepal report to the Security council.
The secretary general has also warned that the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections must be conducted in a manner that reflects the "genuine will" of the Nepalis, including those communities that have been marginalized traditionally.
“Few could have imagined at the beginning of 2006 that an end to the armed conflict would have been declared, the UN would have started implementing an agreement on managing arms and armed personnel, and that the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) would have entered an interim legislature with the Government," Ban's progress report said.
Ban has also lauded the political parties for displaying willingness seek consensus on some of the most contentious issues, adding however, that some of the underlying causes of the conflict are yet to be tackled.
“These are historic achievements,” Ban's report, released a year after the April uprising said.
Meanwhile, Ban has expressed concern regarding the living-conditions inside the PLA cantonments.
“Conditions at cantonment sites have been of great concern to the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN),” particularly given the scheduled arrival in mid-June of the annual monsoon rains, Ban said.
“It will also require a cooperative effort to establish public security through effective law enforcement that respects human rights, in a country previously divided between State and non-State actors and where the police have yet to be deployed nationwide.”
Koirala elected interim govt PM; new ministers sworn in
Club of Himalaya Trekking and Travel
KATHMANDU, April 1 - Sunday's sitting of the Interim Legislature-Parliament unanimously elected Nepali Congress President and Prime Minister of the outgoing SPA government Girija Prasad Koirala as the Prime Minister of the interim government.
Speaker of Interim Legislature-Parliament Subash Nemwang announced at around 1:30pm that the House had unanimously chosen Koirala as the Prime Minister of the new cabinet to be announced by PM Koirala shortly.
Following Koirala's appointment as the Prime Minister of the interim government, a 21-member interim cabinet was also formed.
Before the proposal by MP Anand Prasad Dhungana seeking Koirala's reappointment as the interim PM was unanimously passed by the House, MPs of various parties had wished Koirala a success as the prime minister of the interim government.
Delivering a short speech at the House after being elected the interim PM, Koirala sought the help and cooperation of the MPs of all parties to establish peace and security and successfully hold the Constituent Assembly elections within the stipulated time.
"Post is not important; everybody's cooperation is important. If all eight-parties extend their full support and cooperation, we can easily establish peace in the country," said Koirala, adding, "Making me the PM is not going to be enough. You need to fully support me. Only then can we achieve our goal."
Koirala also promised peace and security in the country from today itself.
"The country has got a new Prime Minister today…I would like to assure you all that the peace and security situation will improve from today itself."
The octogenarian PM also said that he was convinced that he would be successful in his goal of holding CA elections and institutionalizing full-fledged democracy in Nepal if he received full cooperation from all MPs and parties. "I am convinced that I will become successful…The day I will feel that I won't be successful, I will say it publicly."
Newly appointed ministers sworn in Following his appointment as the Prime Minister of the interim government Sunday afternoon, Nepali Congress President and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala administered the oath of office to the newly appointed members of the interim government.
Koirala, who has been appointed the prime minister of Nepal for the sixth time, also administered the oath of office to four state ministers of the newly formed cabinet.
The 22-member interim government now has the responsibility of steering the nation to successfully hold the elections to the Constituent Assembly scheduled for June 20.
Earlier, the eight parties had agreed to hold the elections by mid-June. However, a meeting of the eight parties Sunday finalized the date for the CA elections.
After his reappointment as the prime minister of the new government, PM Koirala had sought co-operation from all the parties.
Earlier, the formation of the interim government was scheduled for Saturday but owing to an impasse between the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML regarding the seniority factor, the formation was delayed by a day.
As per the new agreement clinched on Sunday morning, Ram Chandra Paudel of the Nepali Congress was assigned to hold the Peace Ministry in a bid to strike balance in the interim government.
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Koirala had expressed his dissatisfaction over Sahana Pradhan?s nomination as the Minister for Foreign Affairs by the UML, which in view of PM Koirala, had jolted a balance in division of ministerial portfolios.
BY SPECIAL HIMALAYA CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, March 27 - The first South Asian University (SAU) is to be established in the Indian capital New Delhi.
The decision to have the first SAU in India was taken at a meeting of the university regulatory bodies of the SAARC countries and would now be ratified by the ministerial meeting beginning early April.
The concept note was prepared by Guhar Rizvi, a Bangladeshi national, of Harvard University.
The proposed SAU would witness free flow of students as well as faculty from Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives.
Sources say it would take another two-three years before SAU becomes a reality.
The sources said SAU would be a modern university and be developed as a centre of excellence on the lines of American Ivy League universities.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had in 2005 proposed that SAU would provide world-class facilities and professional faculty to students and researchers drawn from every SAARC countries.
Once the ministerial ratification takes place, a steering committee would work out the finer details of the proposed SAU.
A consensus on various courses to be taught also needs to be evolved
Messner requests Germans to visit Nepal
Club of Himalaya Trekking - Reinhold Messner, the first person to climb all 14 eight thousand meter+ high mountains on Monday requested all the German people to visit Nepal.
Speaking at a press conference organised in Stuttgart, Germany on January 15 to disseminate information on Nepal tourism, Messner said that Nepal is as safe as it used to be for the tourists. The conference was attended by 40 renowned press personalities of Germany, stated a press release issued by Nepal Tourism Board.
Nepalese Ambassador to Germany Madan Kumar Bhattarai was also present at the conference.
The conference was basically centered on the changed scenario of Nepal after the signing of Historic Peace Accord, which was explained by Ann- Katrin Bauknecht, Honorary Nepalese Consul General and ambassador Bhattarai.
Reinforcing on the fact that there was no problem for the tourists coming to Nepal even in the hour of crisis, Messner asked them to imagine how the situation would be with all smiles on the faces of Nepali people welcoming the tourists in the new changed context.
After the conference Messner visited the Nepal Stand and signed his books to the public.
Messner also delivered a lecture to 400 well-known business personalities, sharing them with his experiences of life, and frequently talked about his time in Nepal.
Documentary on Nepal screened in London A documentary named 'Nepal - Journey's on the Roof of the World' was screened at Nepal Embassy Hall in London, UK on Tuesday.
The documentary film, produced by 73Films with the support of Nepal Tourism Board, has captured various tourism activities like river rafting, trekking, village tour, jungle safari, Dashain festival, Nepali life style, etc. About 80 dignitaries from Nepali
Diaspora, media, and Nepal Loving Britons attended the programme and enjoyed the film, stated a press release issued by Nepal Tourism Board.
The chief guest of the programme Dipendra P. Bista, Charge de Affairs, Nepalese Embassy in UK, honoured 73Films team by awarding Letter of Appreciation on behalf of Nepal Tourism Board.
Stephan Sherman, producer and director of the film, shared his 14-month long experience in Nepal during the making of the film and reiterated that 'the worth of friendship is incredible in Nepal'.
At the end of programme, NTB PRR Dhruba K C shed light on NTB's role and support in this film. KC expressed his optimism that 2007 would be promising year for Nepalese tourism.
Himalayan country NepalBuddha' boy found Dec 25 - 'Buddha' boy Ram Bahadur Bomjan, who went missing 10 months ago after attracting thousands of followers for his uninterrupted meditation, was found in the Charko she Jhadi jungle here Monday.
Bomjan was first seen by hunters Sunday night at a place in the jungle some five kilometers north of the Pathlaiya-Nijgadh section of Mahendra Highway. Following the sighting, journalists and locals went looking for him and finally found him Monday afternoon.
Apart from his customary long hair, Bomjan was also carrying a sword. Looking plumper than he was when he disappeared 10 months ago, the Buddha boy was meditating in the bushes. When asked why a person who believes in non-violence has ended up possessing a sword, he answered, "Gautam Buddha used to arrange for his security himself. I was forced to do so as well."
Bomjan also informed that henceforth he would meditate near the historic Halkhoriya pond, some five kilometers west of the spot where he used to meditate before his disappearance.
After information got out that he had been spotted, a large number of people, including his family and security personnel have arrived to see him. The hunters who first spotted the Buddha boy are Rajendra Kunwar, Ram Krishna Moktan, Jaya Bahadur Kunwar and Bal Krishna Ale of Dumarwana.
Bomjan, who reportedly meditated without a break and without food or water from May 16, 2005 onwards at Ratanpuri of Bara district, left his meditation site on March 11, 2006 stating that the place had lost its peace. Before leaving, he said that he would return after six years. However, he has turned up just 10 months after leaving. Bomjan said that till today, he was living in the forests of Bara, Parsa and Rautahat districts. He said he did not take food during this period, but consumed medicinal herbs found in the forest. His family, including mother Maya Devi, were extremely happy to see him return.
The Buddha boy has said he does not want his new meditation site to become noisy and that his followers should be allowed to see him only from a distance of some 10 meters. When asked what should be done with donations that his followers may make, he urged that
anything could be done
with the money as long as it is not used in business or misused.
Bed Bahadur Thingh, chief of Om Namo Buddha Sewa Samiti, who also reached the place, said he would not pressure the Buddha boy to return to his old meditation spot. Meanwhile, Bomjan's mother, happy at finding her son, was demanding that he be allowed to meditate in peace.
At 4 pm Monday, a team of security personnel from the Armed Police Force Bhadrakali barracks in Piluwa reached the site, some 15 kilometers north of district headquarters Kalaiya.
www.himalayatravelclub.com
*************************************Nepal Government assigns TAAN to implement Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC)
Date: 2006-09-01
Registration required for trekkers
With a view to checking illegal operations in the trekking industry and ensuring safety and security of trekkers, the Nepal Government has introduced a new rule that requires all trekkers to go on trekking in various parts of the country only through registered trekking agencies after obtaining a Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC) from Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN). As an umbrella organization of more than 550 registered trekking companies of Nepal , TAAN has been authorized by the Nepal Government to issue TRC and the new rule is scheduled to come into force from October 1, 2006. TAAN will charge a minimum amount of money as administrative and service fee for issuing TRC. As a record of trekkers, TRC incorporates their personal details, trekking routes, duration, etc. The provision is introduced in order to upgrade the service standard and for better management of sustainable mountain tourism development in Nepal . Trekking without TRC is illegal and subject to charge fines and other punishments in accordance with the laws of the Nepal Government.
Importance and Necessity of TRC
It is very important to have a kind of monitoring and facilitating system in place for any sort of outdoor activity that involves physical risk . Trekking is a major outdoor activity in Nepal 's mountain tourism. Given the rugged physical condition and remoteness of almost all trekking areas of Nepal 's Himalayan mountain region, a record system is very essential that would be helpful in monitoring the safety and security of trekkers . The past experiences have shown that difficulties have been faced while carrying out rescue operations promptly during the times of natural calamities. Because of lack of proper record system of trekkers, their exact whereabouts and the information about trekking routes, rescue and search missions used to face difficulties in spotting the trekkers missing .
The Nepal Government is very serious about implementing TRC as a mechanism to control all sorts of anomaly, including illegal operations, and to ensure safety and security of trekkers. Therefore, TAAN, as a national tourism organization working in the field of sustainable mountain tourism in Nepal , has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing TRC. As per TAAN's proposed hassle-free procedure, TRC is being issued to each and every trekker traveling only through the registered trekking agencies .
The decision regarding the introduction of TRC is a welcome step taken in its policies and programmes by the Nepal Government. So, TAAN is in the process of developing a well-managed and efficient system with nominal service charge of Nepali rupees 250 (equivalent US$ 3.5 only) to implement TRC in the open trekking areas of Nepal . TRC is going to be issued from convenient locations of Kathmandu and Pokhara.
TRC Issuing System
The following considerations have been taken into account in the process of issuing TRC:
1. All important details of trekkers and trekking routes will be maintained on a computerized record system that may be useful for safety and security of trekkers and field-staff.
2. The data generated from the system will be useful to all stakeholders -- tourism organizations, government agencies, diplomatic missions, tour operators, research institutes, etc.
3. Unauthorized trekking operations will be controlled, thus, resulting into better management of trekking service and in benefit of all concerned - trekkers, agencies, field - staff, government, etc. and also occasional untoward incidents will be better prevented .
4. TAAN will be able to work more in its effort of preservation of natural and cultural environment in cooperation with local communities. This, in turn, will enable to promote sustainable tourism .
5. The issue of TRC will be so simplified that it would be prompt and inexpensive. The convenient TRC counter in Kathmandu will remain open 12 hours a day all the seven days a week round the year. Pokhara counter will be opened for 9 hours a day. The TRC counters will be located close to the counters of the National Parks and Conservation Areas.
6. TAAN's Media Centre will have updated information about the conditions of trails and other relevant insights into the trekking areas. The same information also will be updated frequently in the TAAN's web page. Some of the check posts along the trekking routes will be equipped with telephone services by TAAN.
TRC Regulatory Provisions
1. Trekkers must keep Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC) along with them while trekking.
2. TRC must be shown to TAAN authorities, National Park check posts, Conservation Area Project's check posts and police check posts on demand.
3. Deviation from the prescribed trekking areas shall be taken as a violation of law of the Government of Nepal
4. Trekkers must keep their copies of passports along with them during trekking for verification.
5. TRC shall be non-transferable, non-refundable and non-endorsable and valid only for single entry.
Appeal
TAAN also requests all concerned stakeholders to help disseminate the above information to potential trekkers to Nepal and other related offices and agencies. Any inconvenience that may arise due to implementation of this new rule is regretted.
Denmark promises US $ 1m to support Nepal peace process
Kantipur Reprot
KATHMANDU, Dec 4 - Denmark has promised 1 million USD to the Trust Fund to finance the UN peace mission in Nepal. In addition, Denmark is prepared to support the UN peace mission with staff having civilian and military and civilian backgrounds, according to a statement issued by the Danish Embassy here Monday. The peace process in Nepal and the support of the UN to the process have been discussed in the UN Security Council recently. The Danish parliament has already approved Rs. 500 million for 2007 for activities related to the peace process and the process of creating a new constitution in Nepal. It is also expected that Rs. 500 million will be given for the peace process in 2008. "I am pleased with the positive developments in Nepal, including the important step of the signing of a peace accord between the Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists. Denmark has supported the efforts for peace with the Maoists and has always supported democracy and human rights in Nepal," the statement quoted the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, who recently visited Nepal, as saying. Denmark supports the involvement of the UN in the peace process, including the monitoring of weapons, as requested by the Government of Nepal and the Maoists.
*******
Martin picked to head UNMIN
NEW NEPAL 2064
Club of Himalaya Trekking & Tours
KATHMANDU, Feb 7 - Ending speculation about the appointment of senior UN official, Ian Martin, as his Special Representative to Nepal, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has picked Martin to head the recently set up UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).
In a letter to the Security Council President, Ambassador Peter Burian of Slovakia, dated February 2, Secretary-General Ban said, "It is my intention to appoint Mr Ian Martin (United Kingdom), as my Special Representative in Nepal and Head of UNMIN with immediate effect."
In his letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Kathmandu Post, the Secretary-General has also praised Martin for his work in Nepal since May 2005. "Mr Martin has been serving most ably as my Personal Representative in Nepal since last August, having previously served as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal," said the letter.
The Secretary-General has requested the Council President to bring the matter of his intention to appoint Martin as UNMIN Head to the attention of the 15 members of the Council.
Confirming Martin's appointment, Nepal's Ambassador to the UN Madhu Raman Acharya said an official announcement to this effect "may take a day or two". A source in the UN Secretariat in New York said the Council is going to approve the appointment by Wednesday.
On January 23, the Security Council had endorsed a
UK-sponsored resolution (1740) establishing the UNMIN for a period of 12 months. The resolution was based on a 16-page report presented to the Council by the Secretary-General on January 10.
Martin has been consistently involved in facilitating the ongoing peace process in Nepal ever since he was appointed Personal Representative of the Secretary-General in August last year.
He has been in Nepal since he arrived here on May 7, 2005 as the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Among the 186 UN arms monitors to be deployed to Nepal as part of the UNMIN, 42 are already here, according to Jared Kotler, Acting Spokesperson of UNMIN. Japan has already decided to send 10 monitors, while Thailand is going to dispatch 20 - including 10 medical personnel. **************
From Himalayan Travellers Club Nepal/himalaya
Visibly panicked, security personnel provide cover after some persons hurled brickbats at King Gyanendra's car in front of Pashupatinath temple on Friday evening. The king was returning after paying homage to Lord Pashupatinath on the occasion of Mahashivaratri
KATHMANDU, Feb 19 - Senior cabinet members and the leaders of the political parties have flayed King Gyanendra's Monday's statement saying that the royal statement was against the spirit of the people's movement and the Interim Constitution.
The leaders also blamed the monarch of hatching conspiracies against the present political set-up adding that the message had come without the government's authorization.
"The king's message does not represent the government's official views in any way and any attempts to cover up the despotic February 1, 2005 takeover will be unfortunate indeed," Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said.
Meanwhile, Maoist Chairman Prachanda said that a statement by the king, who is in a state of suspension, was a "challenge" to pro-democrats.
Speaking to media persons in Biratnagar today Prachanda said, "The king's statement has given a massive challenge to the eight parties …this has encouraged for the immediate introduction of a republic setup in the nation."
The Maoist strongman further said that he had already called leaders of the seven parties over the phone and urged them to prepare for declaration of a republic Nepal in the wake of the king's anti-Constituent Assembly elections remarks.
"The king's statement is untimely and is against the recently promulgated Interim Constitution," said Minister for Toursim Pradeep Gyawali.
"The king's absolute power grab has time and again proved failure by the people. He has, with his statement, attempted to take the Loktantrik (democratic) country backward," Minister Gyawali told reporters on the sidelines of Democracy Day function at Tundikhel today.
He also said that the government has its "disagreement" over the royal statement.
King Gyanendra in his statement to the nation on the occasion of 57th Democracy Day today defended his decision to dissolve the government and assume direct power in February 2005 — a move that eventually led to mass demonstrations that stripped him of all powers in April.
The king said he was compelled to grab power because the "subsequent governments, too were not successful" in this task of holding elections and provide public security.
"It is clear that the situation compelled us to take the Feb. 1, 2005, step in accordance with the people's aspiration to reactivate the elected bodies by maintaining law and order," King Gyanendra said in the statement.
Likewise, other major political parties too have slammed King Gyanendra's statement as "unauthorized, unconstitutional and inappropriate."
Stating that the king's statement had come as an attempt to cover-up feudalistic ambitions, ruling Nepali Congress (NC) today commented that such attempts would not be acceptable to the Nepali people at any rate.
Similarly, the CPN-UML has slammed the king's statement as "unconstitutional, unauthorized and a cause for concern".
UML standing committee meeting today morning had said that the king's message to the nation on the 57th Democracy Day was a hindrance on the path to democracy and dubbed the address "a matter for concern".
The NC-D has, however, made no comments about the king's statement as of yet.
According to NC-D Deputy President Gopal Man Shrestha, an informal meeting of the party in the afternoon would formulate the NC-D's official stance on the king's controversial statement.
The bloody crackdown on demonstrations during the king's direct 15-month rule, which was drew wide-range national and international criticisms, had claimed the lives of 21 people and injured thousands of people. Hundreds of opposition politicians, journalists and students who opposed the royal putsch, were jailed.
Following the king's climb-down after the 19-day popular Janaandolan-II, the the dissolved House of Representatives was restored in April.
The CPN-Maoist, who had waged a decade-long insurgency that claimed the lives of more than 13,000 people, entered the political mainstream in mid-January.
The seven-party alliance and the Maoists have pledged to hold the Constituent Assembly elections, which will rewrite Nepal's constitution, in mid-June this year. *****************
King Gyanendra defends Feb 1 royal takeover
Club of Himalaya Trekking
KATHMANDU, Feb 19 - King Gyanendra has defended his takeover in 2005 saying he was compelled to do so in accordance with the people's aspiration.
In his message to the nation on the 57th Democracy Day, the king said he was compelled to take the February 1, 2005 step to reactivate elected bodies by maintaining law and order.
“It is clear that the prevailing situation compelled us to take the February 1, 2005 step in accordance with the people's aspiration to reactivate the elected bodies by maintaining law and order following the dissolution of the House of Representatives at the recommendation of the elected Prime Minister of the day, who was unable to conduct general elections within the timeframe stipulated by the Constitution,” the king said.
The king, who has been stripped of most of his powers after he was forced to climbdown following the popular Janaandolan-II in April last year, said that the subsequent governments, “too, were not successful in this task. Various obstacles thwarted our resolve to install elected representative bodies.”
He, however, said, “We are also morally responsible for any success or failure during the 15 month effort. As our sole wish is that the people should govern themselves through their own elected representatives, it is well known that we reinstated the House of Representatives on April 24, 2006 with the confidence that the nation would forge ahead on the path to national unity and prosperity, while ensuring permanent peace and safeguarding multi-party democracy.”
The King also said Nepal is a kaleidoscope of diverse people - be they indigenous, dalits or those living in villages, cities, or the terai, hills or the mountainous regions. "It will do well to remember that Nepal's sovereignty and integrity remains safeguarded only because all have accepted and abided by this reality."
The full text of the king's message
Beloved countrymen,
Today, the 57th National Democracy Day, reminds us of the joint struggle launched by the King and the people, culminating in the successful restoration of the people's rights. On this historic day, we pay homage to our august grandfather His late Majesty King Tribhuvan, the architect of democracy in Nepal, and all the brave martyrs who laid down their lives for this cause. Nepal's glorious history is guided by the fact that Monarchy has always abided by the aspirations of the Nepalese people, on whom sovereignty is vested. It is clear that the prevailing situation compelled us to take the February 1, 2005 step in accordance with the people's aspiration to reactivate the elected bodies by maintaining law and order following the dissolution of the House of Representatives at the recommendation of the elected Prime Minister of the day, who was unable to conduct general elections within the timeframe stipulated by the Constitution. Subsequent governments, too, were not successful in this task. Various obstacles thwarted our resolve to install elected representative bodies. We are also morally responsible for any success or failure during the 15 month effort. As our sole wish is that the people should govern themselves through their own elected representatives, it is well known that we reinstated the House of Representatives on April 24, 2006 with the confidence that the nation would forge ahead on the path to national unity and prosperity, while ensuring permanent peace and safeguarding multiparty democracy. In order to consolidate multiparty democracy, elected representative bodies must be installed, taking into consideration, in a mature manner, the grievances, aspirations and sentiments of all the Nepalese to the satisfaction of all. Nepal is a kaleidoscope of diverse peoples - be they indigenous, dalits or those living in villages, cities, terai, hills or the mountainous regions. It will do well to remember that Nepal's sovereignty and integrity remains safeguarded only because all have accepted and abided by this reality. The Nepalese people alone are the arbitrators of their own destiny and they wish to build a prosperous Nepal through a meaningful exercise in multiparty democracy. The self-respecting Nepalese people have an unshakable belief that one's unique identity can be upheld only by respecting one's history. While upholding the people's wish as supreme, may this day inspire all to remain dedicated, through multiparty democracy, to the greater welfare of Nepal and her people by ensuring their concurrence and active participation. May Lord Pashupatinath bless us all! Jaya Nepal
YCL activists pelt stones at Moriarty
POST REPORT
KATHMANDU, May 25 - Cadres of the Young Communist League (YCL), a youth wing of the Nepal Communist Party-Maoists, pelted stones at a UN vehicle, targeting American Ambassador to Nepal James F Moriarty, in Jhapa district Friday.
A group of 50 to 60 YCL activists gathered in front of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) office in Damak this afternoon, pelted stones at the UN vehicle in which US envoy Moriarty was returning from a visit to the Beldangi Bhutanese refugee camp.
Moriarty had gone to Jhapa to visit various refugee camps and to inform the Bhutanese refugees about the resettlement process scheduled to start from June with the establishment of an office in Jhapa.
During the incident the UN vehicle was slightly damaged, with a smashed windscreen. However, no human injury was reported.
As Moriarty reached in front of the UNHCR office after visiting Beldangi refugee camp, the YCL cadres, who were chanting anti-American slogans, suddenly hurled stones at his vehicle. The vehicle rushed inside the UNHCR office premises.
Coincidently, the incident took place just a day after the Central Committee meeting of the YCL criticized Moriarty for his remarks on Nepal, saying that the US envoy has trespassed diplomatic norms and interfered in Nepal's internal political matters. Denouncing the incident the Home Ministry said, "It is against diplomatic courtesy."
In a statement, the ministry said it has directed the local administration to take stern action against those involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy in Kathmandu in a statement said, "We understand the people that threw stones at the vehicle today were YCL. This is yet another demonstration of their violent, unacceptable tactic."
It further said, "While we respect their right to protest, throwing stones at the moving vehicle is very dangerous." The embassy has called on the protesters to stop this type of behavior.
the world heighre pick 8848mt
Appa outdoes himself with record 17th bid on Everest
KATHMANDU, May 16 - Nepal's celebrated mountaineer Appa Sherpa scaled the world's highest peak Mount Everest for a record 17th time on Wednesday.
Appa, 47, – who was leading a 7-member team of Sherpas on a charity climb to raise education funds for children of mountain guides -- reached the summit at 8:45 this morning, president of Nepal Mountaineering Association Aang Tsering Sherpa said.
According to Sherpa, Appa and his team member of the Super Sherpa expedition Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa shot a video for a documentary and took some pictures on the top of the world.
The footages of the climb will be made into a charity documentary, the money raised from which will go towards providing better education and health care for children in the Sherpa community in the mountainous regions.
World record holder with 17 summits, four without oxygen on Mt. Everest, Appa, married with four children, reached the top of the world in the spring of 1990 for the first time.
Meanwhile, television journalist Kami Sherpa also scaled Mount Everest today itself, deputy-secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Aviation's Mountaineering Department Khadananda Dhakal said.
Airfares on Ktm-Delhi route up
CLUB OF HIMALAYA TREKKING
June 14 - The long-running severe air seats crunch seen on Kathmandu-Delhi sector has finally pushed up airfares on the sector in the range from 20 percent to 58 percent.
Major Indian carrier Indian Airlines has raised its fares by a whopping 58 percent on Kathmandu-New Delhi sector to Rs 10,800 for a one-way ticket from Rs 6,825 in the normal economy class. The airline has also increased ticket prices on Kathmandu-Varanasi and Kathmandu-Calcutta sectors by 46 percent. The new fare for flying on both routes currently stands at Rs 7,920, while it was Rs 5,425 earlier.
The air ticket of Jet Airways has now become costlier by around 44 percent on the sector. It has recently scrapped dual system of airfares -- at local currency and dollar, and adopted a single currency rate of US$ 152 (around Rs 9,800) a ticket in the normal economy class. Earlier, it used to cost Rs 6,825 at local currency fares, applicable to Nepali and Indian nationals.
Air Sahara also followed suit and revised the fares upward to Rs 8,220 on normal economy class from Rs 6,825. The fare of Druk Air, the national flag carrier of Bhutan, edged up by
Rs 1,200 per ticket to
Rs 5,700.
All airlines have their own story to defend the hike. Gautam Saha, country manager of Indian Airlines in Nepal, said the fare was revised due to the decision of the airlines to abandon dual pricing system.
“We had two different fares in the past, one at local currency for Nepalis as well as Indian nationals, and another at US dollar. But, we recently scrapped the dollar fares, and converted the dollar rate into Nepali currency that slightly pushed up airfares,” he said.
Pabitra Karki, managing director of Daphne Tours, GSA of Druk Air said the airline decided to push up prices slightly, as its fare was too low as compared to other airlines operating on the same route.
Like almost other sectors, airlines on Kathmandu-New Delhi are presently packed as more tourists are flocking to Nepal with the restoration of peace in the country. Tour operators said many tourists are giving up plans to visit Nepal as there is no air seat available.
Tourist arrivals grew by 43.4 percent in the first five months this year, with 143,640 tourists coming into the country. The number of Indian tourists shot up by 26.2 percent to 41,546.
UN Sec-Gen lauds "rapid strides" in Nepal peace process, says questions remain on arms mgmt
KATHMANDU,Nepal, April 28 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday said that Nepal's peace process has made rapid advances albeit questions still remain about the registration of the Maoist arms and armies.
"The peace process in Nepal has made remarkable progress since the start of last year, but complex questions remain about how to monitor the management of arms and armed personnel," Ban said in his Nepal report to the Security council.
The secretary general has also warned that the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections must be conducted in a manner that reflects the "genuine will" of the Nepalis, including those communities that have been marginalized traditionally.
“Few could have imagined at the beginning of 2006 that an end to the armed conflict would have been declared, the UN would have started implementing an agreement on managing arms and armed personnel, and that the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) would have entered an interim legislature with the Government," Ban's progress report said.
Ban has also lauded the political parties for displaying willingness seek consensus on some of the most contentious issues, adding however, that some of the underlying causes of the conflict are yet to be tackled.
“These are historic achievements,” Ban's report, released a year after the April uprising said.
Meanwhile, Ban has expressed concern regarding the living-conditions inside the PLA cantonments.
“Conditions at cantonment sites have been of great concern to the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN),” particularly given the scheduled arrival in mid-June of the annual monsoon rains, Ban said.
“It will also require a cooperative effort to establish public security through effective law enforcement that respects human rights, in a country previously divided between State and non-State actors and where the police have yet to be deployed nationwide.”
Koirala elected interim govt PM; new ministers sworn in
Club of Himalaya Trekking and Travel
KATHMANDU, April 1 - Sunday's sitting of the Interim Legislature-Parliament unanimously elected Nepali Congress President and Prime Minister of the outgoing SPA government Girija Prasad Koirala as the Prime Minister of the interim government.
Speaker of Interim Legislature-Parliament Subash Nemwang announced at around 1:30pm that the House had unanimously chosen Koirala as the Prime Minister of the new cabinet to be announced by PM Koirala shortly.
Following Koirala's appointment as the Prime Minister of the interim government, a 21-member interim cabinet was also formed.
Before the proposal by MP Anand Prasad Dhungana seeking Koirala's reappointment as the interim PM was unanimously passed by the House, MPs of various parties had wished Koirala a success as the prime minister of the interim government.
Delivering a short speech at the House after being elected the interim PM, Koirala sought the help and cooperation of the MPs of all parties to establish peace and security and successfully hold the Constituent Assembly elections within the stipulated time.
"Post is not important; everybody's cooperation is important. If all eight-parties extend their full support and cooperation, we can easily establish peace in the country," said Koirala, adding, "Making me the PM is not going to be enough. You need to fully support me. Only then can we achieve our goal."
Koirala also promised peace and security in the country from today itself.
"The country has got a new Prime Minister today…I would like to assure you all that the peace and security situation will improve from today itself."
The octogenarian PM also said that he was convinced that he would be successful in his goal of holding CA elections and institutionalizing full-fledged democracy in Nepal if he received full cooperation from all MPs and parties. "I am convinced that I will become successful…The day I will feel that I won't be successful, I will say it publicly."
Newly appointed ministers sworn in Following his appointment as the Prime Minister of the interim government Sunday afternoon, Nepali Congress President and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala administered the oath of office to the newly appointed members of the interim government.
Koirala, who has been appointed the prime minister of Nepal for the sixth time, also administered the oath of office to four state ministers of the newly formed cabinet.
The 22-member interim government now has the responsibility of steering the nation to successfully hold the elections to the Constituent Assembly scheduled for June 20.
Earlier, the eight parties had agreed to hold the elections by mid-June. However, a meeting of the eight parties Sunday finalized the date for the CA elections.
After his reappointment as the prime minister of the new government, PM Koirala had sought co-operation from all the parties.
Earlier, the formation of the interim government was scheduled for Saturday but owing to an impasse between the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML regarding the seniority factor, the formation was delayed by a day.
As per the new agreement clinched on Sunday morning, Ram Chandra Paudel of the Nepali Congress was assigned to hold the Peace Ministry in a bid to strike balance in the interim government.
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Koirala had expressed his dissatisfaction over Sahana Pradhan?s nomination as the Minister for Foreign Affairs by the UML, which in view of PM Koirala, had jolted a balance in division of ministerial portfolios.
BY SPECIAL HIMALAYA CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, March 27 - The first South Asian University (SAU) is to be established in the Indian capital New Delhi.
The decision to have the first SAU in India was taken at a meeting of the university regulatory bodies of the SAARC countries and would now be ratified by the ministerial meeting beginning early April.
The concept note was prepared by Guhar Rizvi, a Bangladeshi national, of Harvard University.
The proposed SAU would witness free flow of students as well as faculty from Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives.
Sources say it would take another two-three years before SAU becomes a reality.
The sources said SAU would be a modern university and be developed as a centre of excellence on the lines of American Ivy League universities.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had in 2005 proposed that SAU would provide world-class facilities and professional faculty to students and researchers drawn from every SAARC countries.
Once the ministerial ratification takes place, a steering committee would work out the finer details of the proposed SAU.
A consensus on various courses to be taught also needs to be evolved
Messner requests Germans to visit Nepal
Club of Himalaya Trekking - Reinhold Messner, the first person to climb all 14 eight thousand meter+ high mountains on Monday requested all the German people to visit Nepal.
Speaking at a press conference organised in Stuttgart, Germany on January 15 to disseminate information on Nepal tourism, Messner said that Nepal is as safe as it used to be for the tourists. The conference was attended by 40 renowned press personalities of Germany, stated a press release issued by Nepal Tourism Board.
Nepalese Ambassador to Germany Madan Kumar Bhattarai was also present at the conference.
The conference was basically centered on the changed scenario of Nepal after the signing of Historic Peace Accord, which was explained by Ann- Katrin Bauknecht, Honorary Nepalese Consul General and ambassador Bhattarai.
Reinforcing on the fact that there was no problem for the tourists coming to Nepal even in the hour of crisis, Messner asked them to imagine how the situation would be with all smiles on the faces of Nepali people welcoming the tourists in the new changed context.
After the conference Messner visited the Nepal Stand and signed his books to the public.
Messner also delivered a lecture to 400 well-known business personalities, sharing them with his experiences of life, and frequently talked about his time in Nepal.
Documentary on Nepal screened in London A documentary named 'Nepal - Journey's on the Roof of the World' was screened at Nepal Embassy Hall in London, UK on Tuesday.
The documentary film, produced by 73Films with the support of Nepal Tourism Board, has captured various tourism activities like river rafting, trekking, village tour, jungle safari, Dashain festival, Nepali life style, etc. About 80 dignitaries from Nepali
Diaspora, media, and Nepal Loving Britons attended the programme and enjoyed the film, stated a press release issued by Nepal Tourism Board.
The chief guest of the programme Dipendra P. Bista, Charge de Affairs, Nepalese Embassy in UK, honoured 73Films team by awarding Letter of Appreciation on behalf of Nepal Tourism Board.
Stephan Sherman, producer and director of the film, shared his 14-month long experience in Nepal during the making of the film and reiterated that 'the worth of friendship is incredible in Nepal'.
At the end of programme, NTB PRR Dhruba K C shed light on NTB's role and support in this film. KC expressed his optimism that 2007 would be promising year for Nepalese tourism.
Himalayan country NepalBuddha' boy found Dec 25 - 'Buddha' boy Ram Bahadur Bomjan, who went missing 10 months ago after attracting thousands of followers for his uninterrupted meditation, was found in the Charko she Jhadi jungle here Monday.
Bomjan was first seen by hunters Sunday night at a place in the jungle some five kilometers north of the Pathlaiya-Nijgadh section of Mahendra Highway. Following the sighting, journalists and locals went looking for him and finally found him Monday afternoon.
Apart from his customary long hair, Bomjan was also carrying a sword. Looking plumper than he was when he disappeared 10 months ago, the Buddha boy was meditating in the bushes. When asked why a person who believes in non-violence has ended up possessing a sword, he answered, "Gautam Buddha used to arrange for his security himself. I was forced to do so as well."
Bomjan also informed that henceforth he would meditate near the historic Halkhoriya pond, some five kilometers west of the spot where he used to meditate before his disappearance.
After information got out that he had been spotted, a large number of people, including his family and security personnel have arrived to see him. The hunters who first spotted the Buddha boy are Rajendra Kunwar, Ram Krishna Moktan, Jaya Bahadur Kunwar and Bal Krishna Ale of Dumarwana.
Bomjan, who reportedly meditated without a break and without food or water from May 16, 2005 onwards at Ratanpuri of Bara district, left his meditation site on March 11, 2006 stating that the place had lost its peace. Before leaving, he said that he would return after six years. However, he has turned up just 10 months after leaving. Bomjan said that till today, he was living in the forests of Bara, Parsa and Rautahat districts. He said he did not take food during this period, but consumed medicinal herbs found in the forest. His family, including mother Maya Devi, were extremely happy to see him return.
The Buddha boy has said he does not want his new meditation site to become noisy and that his followers should be allowed to see him only from a distance of some 10 meters. When asked what should be done with donations that his followers may make, he urged that
anything could be done
with the money as long as it is not used in business or misused.
Bed Bahadur Thingh, chief of Om Namo Buddha Sewa Samiti, who also reached the place, said he would not pressure the Buddha boy to return to his old meditation spot. Meanwhile, Bomjan's mother, happy at finding her son, was demanding that he be allowed to meditate in peace.
At 4 pm Monday, a team of security personnel from the Armed Police Force Bhadrakali barracks in Piluwa reached the site, some 15 kilometers north of district headquarters Kalaiya.
www.himalayatravelclub.com
*************************************Nepal Government assigns TAAN to implement Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC)
Date: 2006-09-01
Registration required for trekkers
With a view to checking illegal operations in the trekking industry and ensuring safety and security of trekkers, the Nepal Government has introduced a new rule that requires all trekkers to go on trekking in various parts of the country only through registered trekking agencies after obtaining a Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC) from Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN). As an umbrella organization of more than 550 registered trekking companies of Nepal , TAAN has been authorized by the Nepal Government to issue TRC and the new rule is scheduled to come into force from October 1, 2006. TAAN will charge a minimum amount of money as administrative and service fee for issuing TRC. As a record of trekkers, TRC incorporates their personal details, trekking routes, duration, etc. The provision is introduced in order to upgrade the service standard and for better management of sustainable mountain tourism development in Nepal . Trekking without TRC is illegal and subject to charge fines and other punishments in accordance with the laws of the Nepal Government.
Importance and Necessity of TRC
It is very important to have a kind of monitoring and facilitating system in place for any sort of outdoor activity that involves physical risk . Trekking is a major outdoor activity in Nepal 's mountain tourism. Given the rugged physical condition and remoteness of almost all trekking areas of Nepal 's Himalayan mountain region, a record system is very essential that would be helpful in monitoring the safety and security of trekkers . The past experiences have shown that difficulties have been faced while carrying out rescue operations promptly during the times of natural calamities. Because of lack of proper record system of trekkers, their exact whereabouts and the information about trekking routes, rescue and search missions used to face difficulties in spotting the trekkers missing .
The Nepal Government is very serious about implementing TRC as a mechanism to control all sorts of anomaly, including illegal operations, and to ensure safety and security of trekkers. Therefore, TAAN, as a national tourism organization working in the field of sustainable mountain tourism in Nepal , has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing TRC. As per TAAN's proposed hassle-free procedure, TRC is being issued to each and every trekker traveling only through the registered trekking agencies .
The decision regarding the introduction of TRC is a welcome step taken in its policies and programmes by the Nepal Government. So, TAAN is in the process of developing a well-managed and efficient system with nominal service charge of Nepali rupees 250 (equivalent US$ 3.5 only) to implement TRC in the open trekking areas of Nepal . TRC is going to be issued from convenient locations of Kathmandu and Pokhara.
TRC Issuing System
The following considerations have been taken into account in the process of issuing TRC:
1. All important details of trekkers and trekking routes will be maintained on a computerized record system that may be useful for safety and security of trekkers and field-staff.
2. The data generated from the system will be useful to all stakeholders -- tourism organizations, government agencies, diplomatic missions, tour operators, research institutes, etc.
3. Unauthorized trekking operations will be controlled, thus, resulting into better management of trekking service and in benefit of all concerned - trekkers, agencies, field - staff, government, etc. and also occasional untoward incidents will be better prevented .
4. TAAN will be able to work more in its effort of preservation of natural and cultural environment in cooperation with local communities. This, in turn, will enable to promote sustainable tourism .
5. The issue of TRC will be so simplified that it would be prompt and inexpensive. The convenient TRC counter in Kathmandu will remain open 12 hours a day all the seven days a week round the year. Pokhara counter will be opened for 9 hours a day. The TRC counters will be located close to the counters of the National Parks and Conservation Areas.
6. TAAN's Media Centre will have updated information about the conditions of trails and other relevant insights into the trekking areas. The same information also will be updated frequently in the TAAN's web page. Some of the check posts along the trekking routes will be equipped with telephone services by TAAN.
TRC Regulatory Provisions
1. Trekkers must keep Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC) along with them while trekking.
2. TRC must be shown to TAAN authorities, National Park check posts, Conservation Area Project's check posts and police check posts on demand.
3. Deviation from the prescribed trekking areas shall be taken as a violation of law of the Government of Nepal
4. Trekkers must keep their copies of passports along with them during trekking for verification.
5. TRC shall be non-transferable, non-refundable and non-endorsable and valid only for single entry.
Appeal
TAAN also requests all concerned stakeholders to help disseminate the above information to potential trekkers to Nepal and other related offices and agencies. Any inconvenience that may arise due to implementation of this new rule is regretted.
Denmark promises US $ 1m to support Nepal peace process
Kantipur Reprot
KATHMANDU, Dec 4 - Denmark has promised 1 million USD to the Trust Fund to finance the UN peace mission in Nepal. In addition, Denmark is prepared to support the UN peace mission with staff having civilian and military and civilian backgrounds, according to a statement issued by the Danish Embassy here Monday. The peace process in Nepal and the support of the UN to the process have been discussed in the UN Security Council recently. The Danish parliament has already approved Rs. 500 million for 2007 for activities related to the peace process and the process of creating a new constitution in Nepal. It is also expected that Rs. 500 million will be given for the peace process in 2008. "I am pleased with the positive developments in Nepal, including the important step of the signing of a peace accord between the Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists. Denmark has supported the efforts for peace with the Maoists and has always supported democracy and human rights in Nepal," the statement quoted the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, who recently visited Nepal, as saying. Denmark supports the involvement of the UN in the peace process, including the monitoring of weapons, as requested by the Government of Nepal and the Maoists.
*******
Martin picked to head UNMIN
NEW NEPAL 2064
Club of Himalaya Trekking & Tours
KATHMANDU, Feb 7 - Ending speculation about the appointment of senior UN official, Ian Martin, as his Special Representative to Nepal, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has picked Martin to head the recently set up UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).
In a letter to the Security Council President, Ambassador Peter Burian of Slovakia, dated February 2, Secretary-General Ban said, "It is my intention to appoint Mr Ian Martin (United Kingdom), as my Special Representative in Nepal and Head of UNMIN with immediate effect."
In his letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Kathmandu Post, the Secretary-General has also praised Martin for his work in Nepal since May 2005. "Mr Martin has been serving most ably as my Personal Representative in Nepal since last August, having previously served as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal," said the letter.
The Secretary-General has requested the Council President to bring the matter of his intention to appoint Martin as UNMIN Head to the attention of the 15 members of the Council.
Confirming Martin's appointment, Nepal's Ambassador to the UN Madhu Raman Acharya said an official announcement to this effect "may take a day or two". A source in the UN Secretariat in New York said the Council is going to approve the appointment by Wednesday.
On January 23, the Security Council had endorsed a
UK-sponsored resolution (1740) establishing the UNMIN for a period of 12 months. The resolution was based on a 16-page report presented to the Council
