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April 29, 2007
Dulal Wins First Mountain Bike Race In
Langtang
Suresh Kumar Dulal
became first in the First Mountain Bike Race held on April 29, 2007 on
the Tamang Heritage Trail (THT) of the Langtang Region of Rasuwa
district.
Mr. Dulal covered the
28-kilometre rugged terrain in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 47.32 seconds.
Surendra Rai emerged
second in the competition. Mr. Rai completed the race in 2 hours, 11
minutes and 71 seconds.
Padma Chombahang stood
out third in the competition.
The winners were awarded
cash prizes and certificates. Mr. Dulal bagged Rs. 25,000 and Mr. Rai
pocketed Rs. 15,000 while Mr. Chombahang received Rs.10,000.
Among the two women
participants, Nirjala Tamrakar came out first and received Rs. 8,000 in
cash. Biker Kelly Bowma became second in women's category.
Earlier on April 29, the
mountain bike competition was inaugurated by Britain's Ambassador to
Nepal, Dr. Andrew Hall at Syphrubensi amidst a colourful function.
The adventure sporting
event was organized by the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation
Programme (TRPAP), in association with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB),
District Development Committee (DDC) Rasuwa, and the Himalaya
Expeditions Inc., an active promoter/organiser of adventure activities
in Nepal.
Promoting the THT in the
Langtang Region of Rasuwa district as an adventure sports tourism
destination was the main objective of the mountain bike race.
part from exploring and
highlighting the huge tourism prospects of the THT, the event was also
aimed at creating public awareness about sustainable community-based
tourism and garnering support, encouraging such projects and utilizing
tourism a means of poverty alleviation. Besides, the event was focussed
on maximising local participation in tourism-related activities.
The race began from
Syaphrubensi and ended at Goljung. The trail passes through
Chaurhattar, Godam, Gatlang and Thambuchet. The altitude of the trail
ranges from 1,460 to 2,436 metres above sea level.
Rasuwa is one of the
most sought-after destinations in Nepal. Despite its easy access and
proximity to the capital, the area with unparalleled beauty of majestic
mountains and rich culture has not been promoted as expected.
TRPAP has conducted a
number of training and income generating activities in the THT to
improve the living standard of the local people.
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April 29, 2007
Climber Hillary Discharged From Hospital
Renowned mountaineer Sir Edmund
Hillary, 87, has been discharged from hospital., according to news
reports.
The mountaineering legend, who was the
first man to conquer Mt Everest, the world's highest mountain, in 1953,
was hospitalized in Auckland last weekend after what was reported to
have been a fall.
Just a week ago, he was in Nepal and
met the Super Sherpas Expedition 2007 in Kathmandu.
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April 26, 2007
At Least Two Americans Nabbed At Everest
Base Camp
At least two Americans
were nabbed at Everest base camp on north side of the peak for launching
a pro-Tibet protest on April 26, 2007, according to news reports.
However, reports vary on
the number of persons arrested. News reports say the protesters were
carrying banners reading "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008". The
banners were in English, Tibetan and Chinese languages.
The protest is said to
have organised by students for free Tibet. A video of the rally was also
posted at Everest Base camp.
A large number of
climbers are likely to scale Mt. Everest this spring. As China is
hosting the Olympic Games in 2008, a large Chinese team is planning to
carry the Olympic torch to the summit of the world's highest peak.
|
April 25, 2007
Hillary's Health 'Improving'
World-famous mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary has
been undergoing medical treatment in Auckland Hospital. The 87-year-old
mountaineer's health condition is reported to be improving.
Sir Ed had returned to his homeland from Nepal on
Sunday (April 22, 2007). He is believed to have suffered a fall. But a
statement issued by his wife Lady June Hillary has not mentioned
anything about cause of his treatment.
Sir Ed was in Kathmandu this month to meet the 2007
Super Sherpa's Expedition.
Super Sherpa's expedition manager Roger Kehr said
Sir Ed had revealed that it was his last trip to Nepal. He has run a
charity and established 27 schools in Nepal.
Sir Ed, who is a national icon of New Zealand, and
the late Tenzing Norgay climbed Mt Everest in 1953."He is in a
comfortable condition and improves daily," reads the statement.
Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, who
traveled with Sir Ed to Antarctica in January 2007, indicated the
entire country would be monitoring his recovery, according to news
reports.
He was in Antarctica to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the establishment of Scott Base.
"Everyone will be thinking of Sir Ed, he's a
national icon," Lady Hillary said in the statement. "There's no one we
love more. I think the message from every single one of us is 'hang in
there Sir Ed, we love you'."
Although Sir Edmund Hillary has stopped climbing
for the last 15 years as he suffered serious altitude sickness, he has
been actively campaigning against attempts to commercialize the world's
tallest peak—Mt. Everest.
In 1998 he was admitted to Christchurch Hospital
with pneumonia and a slight back injury after falling over in a shower
while returning from Antarctica by ship.
Three years later, altitude sickness put him in
hospital in Nepal.
During his trip to Nepal in 2003 to celebrate his
50th anniversary of climbing Mt Everest, he was reported to have become
ill with heat exhaustion.
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April 23, 2007
IMAX Team Filming 'Return To Everest'
After 10 years, the team of IMAX Everest Film has
come to Nepal to shoot yet another film 'Return to Everest'.
Led by Greg MacGillivray, the director and
producer of IMAX Everest Film, the nine-member team left for Everest
Base Camp on April 22, 2007.
The filming team from Los Angeles of the United
States is well-known for producing such a popular film on Mt. Everest.
Produced in 1996, the film was very popular among the viewers across the
world.
The IMAX Everest Film, which was screened in 180
IMAX theaters of 27 different countries, was produced at a cost of US$ 8
million. The film had covered all expedition activities up to Everest
summit. Besides, the film had depicted the Sherpa culture and various
challenging aspects of mountaineering.
The film had helped in the promotion of Nepal's
mountain tourism across the world.
According to MacGillivray, the team is planning to
incorporate all the technical developments required for climbing
expeditions. "The film will also cover the changes that have taken place
in the Everest Region during the past 10 years," he is quoted as
saying.
However, the team is not likely to reach Everest
summit. The team may reach up to Everest Base Camp from Lukla and Khumbu
Icefall.
The team has the same characters, who played their
roles in the IMAX Everest Film. Jamling Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, son of
the first Everest summitteer late Tenzing Norgey Sherpa, and the first
Spanish woman climber Araceli Segavra will be the main characters in the
film—Return to Everest.
Jamling hoped that the second IMAX Everest film
would be very fruitful for the promotion of Nepal as a tourist
destination internationally.
The 42-year-old climber said the first part of the
film will include Sherpa culture, environment up to the base camp,
changed mountaineering skills. Moreover, the team will also study of
human physiology at high altitude.
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April 20, 2007
Almost Five Dozen Expeditions
Granted Permit To Attempt Peaks
The number of expedition
teams receiving permission to attempt various mountain peaks in Nepal
this spring has reached 57, according to the Tourism Industry Division
under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA).
Twenty-two of the total
expeditions got permission to scale the world's tallest peak—Mt.
Everest.
Climbing permits were
granted to a total of 53 expeditions in the same season of 2006. Of
them, 17 got permits to climb the 8,848-metre Mt. Everest.
Officials at the
ministry hope that some more expedition teams could come to the country
during this season.
The ongoing peace
process deserves the credit for the growth in the number of expeditions
this time.
Meanwhile, more
expeditions are attempting Mt. Everest from Tibet side. This is because
China has reduced royalties. Besides, the Olympic Games to be held in
Beijing in 2008 has also attracted more climbers and other adventure
lovers to China.
As per news reports,
about three dozen expeditions are attempting to climb Mt. Everest from
Tibet side this spring.
|
April 19, 2007
Junbensi Has Now Visitors' Info
Centre
A Tourist Information
Centre has been set up at the beautiful valley of Junbensi in the
Solukhumbu district to promote Everest Trail and the newly developed
Pikey- Dudhkunda Cultural Trail.
The centre aims to
highlight many naturally and culturally attractive trekking trails and
areas of the Solukhumbu district.
The Tourist Information
Centre at Junbensi was opened amidst a gathering on April 17, 2007.
Inaugurated by district
judge Mr. Saligram Koirala, the ceremony was addressed by Chief District
Officer Mr. Laxman Kumar Hamal, Local Development Officer (LDO) Mr.
Bharat Bahadur Dhungana, National Programme Manager of TRPAP, Mr. Rabi
Jung Pandey, treasurer of the Tourist Information Centre management
committee, Mr. Chungba Chhiring Lama, journalist Mr. Keshav Poudel,
representatives of various political parties, among others. They
emphasised the need for diversifying tourism to new areas in the
district.
As an important tourist
junction in the southwestern part of the district, scenic Sherpa
settlement is on the Jiri-Everest Trail. Trekkers can visit various
parts of the district via the green Junbensi valley.
Being an part and parcel
of the Pikey-Dudhkunda Cultural Trail, Junbensi has more than a dozen
tourist hotels and lodges. The valley attracts tourists from various
parts of the world, as it has many things to offer. The Sherpa culture
and hospitality and the beautiful view of Mt. Numbur, many monasteries,
including the Thuptenchholing Monastery, are some of the few attractions
to name.
Trekkers can gain both
adventure and cultural experiences while on trek along the trail. The
4,065-metre high Pikey hill is one of the major attractions of the
trail. The hilltop offers a panoramic view of most of the central and
eastern Himalayan peaks such as Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Everest, Makalu,
Kanchenjungha, Mt. Ama Dablam and Mt. Shishapangma.
Trekkers can reach Pikey
Peak via Jiri and Chaulakharka. Another trail begins from Phaplu and
passes through several typical rural settlements at Kerung, Pattale and
Jhapre. The train from the peak is linked to Junbensi, Thuptenchholing
Monastery, Sangeephuk and Dudhkunda.
Situated at an altitude
of 4,560 metres above sea level, Dudhkunda is a holy mountain lake in
the lap of Mt. Numbur. The trek to Dudhkunda starting from Phaplu can be
done either only around Dudhkunda or combined with cultural experience
passing through Khaling Rai and Sherpa settlements and then back to
Salleri.
A typical Dhumji
cultural festival was also organised at Junbensi monastery.
The centre was
constructed at a cost of about Rs. 900,000.
The centre has been
possible with the financial support of the Tourism for Rural Poverty
Alleviation Programme (TRPAP), Solukhumbu DDC, other local institutions
and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
According to the Tourist
Information Centre management committee, TRPAP made available Rs.
400,000 for the construction of the centre. The Solukhumbu DDC and other
locals institutions provided Rs. 200,000 and Rs. 178,000 respectively,
while NTB gave equipment and promotional materials worth Rs. 100,000.
In order to promote the
trail, TRPAP and NTB have brought out a tourist map of the new
destination.
The number of foreign
trekkers passing through Junbensi has increased considerably this spring
due to the establishment of peace in the country.
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April 15,
2007
Sagarmatha National Award For Late Dr.
Gurung
The Government of Nepal has decided to confer "Sagarmatha
National Award 2063" on Dr. Harka Gurung posthumously in recognition
of his outstanding contribution in mountaineering and the entire tourism
sector of Nepal.
On April 9, 2007, the meeting of the Council of
Ministers took the decision to confer the award to renowned geographer,
sociologist and development expert Dr. Gurung.
Dr. Gurung has played an important role in
enhancing Nepal’s prestige in the world and made vital contributions in
the development of tourism.
He had died in a helicopter crash in Ghunsa of
Taplejung in September last year.
Instituted four years back, the prestigious award
is presented to any reputed national and international personality
making outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of
Nepal's mountain tourism.
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation
(MoCTCA) presents the award every two years. |
April 09, 2007
HURPES Flag To Be Hoisted Atop
Everest
Two climbers from the
United Kingdom (UK) have announced that they would be hoisting the flag
of the Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES)-Nepal atop Mt. Everest
this spring.
Keith Gary Parker and
Bery Steven will be climbing the world's tallest peak. Two Nepalis Kaji
Sherpa and Lil Bahadur Tamang will also be climbing the peak together
with the Britons, according to a press release issued by the HURPES.
Human rights activist
and founding president of HURPES Krishna Pahadi handed over the rights
organisation's flag to the British climbers amidst a function in
Kathmandu on April 8, 2007.
|
April 08, 2007
40 Teams
Permitted To Attempt Peaks In Spring 2007
A total of 40 expedition teams from various
countries of the world have been permitted to scale different mountain
peaks of Nepal in spring 2007, according to the Ministry of Culture,
Tourism and Civil Aviation.
As of April 5, seventeen teams have received
permits to attempt the world's tallest peak—Mt. Everest. Six teams have
been allowed to scale Mt. Lhotse and three have received permits to
attempt Mt. Dhawalagiri and Mt. Ama Dablam each. Similarly, two teams
got permits to climb Mt. Nuptse. Rest of the teams has been permitted to
other peaks.
The ministry said that some of the teams have
already left for their destinations, while others are in the process of
departure.
The government has earned Rs. 11, 17, 11,152 as
revenue from the expedition teams.
In spring 2006, the number of expedition teams
attempting various peaks of the country stood at 53. Seventeen of them
got permits to attempt the 8,848-metre Mt. Everest.
The number of expedition teams attempting different
peaks this year is expected to be more as compared to the number of last
year because of the improved security situation in the country. |
April 06, 2007
First Mountain Bike Race in THT to
be held on April 29
The First Mountain Bike
Race in the Tamang Heritage Trail (THT) in the Langtang Region of the
Rasuwa district will be organized on April 29, 2007 to promote the area
as an adventure sports tourism destination.
The event is being
organized jointly by the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Program
(TRPAP), the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the District Development
Committee (DDC), Rasuwa, and the Himalaya Expeditions Inc., an active
promoter and organizer of adventure sports tourism activities.
activities.
The main objective of
the race is to creating public awareness about community-based
sustainable tourism and maximizing local participation in
tourism-related activities to reduce rural poverty in the area.
"The race will be
upgraded as an annual international sports event from next year," Mr.
Bikrum Pandey, the managing director of the Himalaya Expeditions Inc,
told a press conference organized in Kathmandu on April 6.
According to the
organizers, the race will begin from Syaphrubensi and end at Goljung
passing through Chaurhattar, Godam, Gatlang and Thambuchet. The biking
trail, which covers about 28 kilometers, ranges from 1460 to 2436 meters
above sea level.
The organizers have
plans to set up three medical posts at Godam, Thambuchet and Goljung.
He also hoped that the
event would be helpful in highlighting Nepal as an important tourist
destination in the international arena.
Addressing the press
conference, Mr. Rabi Jung Pandey, National Program Manager of TRPAP,
said that the event would be the first initiative of its to market the
scenic and culturally rich area.
A Nepali participant
will have to pay Rs. 500, while a foreign participant will have to pay
US$ 99 as participation fee. The cost covers accommodation for two
nights with all meals, Tee-shirt, round trip transportation between
Kathmandu and Goljung, transportation of mountain bike and a
certificate.
Lying near Kathmandu,
the Langtang Region is the third major trekking destination of Nepal.
With rich natural and cultural resources, the Rasuwa district could
attract more tourists if efforts were made to exploit and explore them.
The race has two
categories: Men's Open, and Women. Anyone above 18-year-old with good
physical fitness is eligible for participation. There will be cash
prizes for winners for both categories, the organizers said.
Hikmat Singh Ayer of NTB
said that the national tourism organization was ready to join hands with
various stakeholders to promote the area's tourism prospects.
The organizers said that
the participation forms can be obtained from Himalaya Expeditions Inc.,
Sanepa/ Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel/ Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikuti
Mandap. They can also be downloaded from the NTB's official website:
www.welcomenepal.com/brand/mountain_bike.asp
|
April 05, 2007
Permit Issued To 37 Teams To Attempt Peaks
More than three dozen expedition teams have already
received permit to attempt various mountain peaks, including Mt.
Everest, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Nuptse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Ama
Dablam, in spring 2007. Fifteen of the total teams have received permit
to scale Mt. Everest.
The teams have been from the United States of America, the
United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Malaysia, Canada, among others.
The teams have left for the concerned destinations, according to sources
at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA).
These teams hail from countries including the United
States, United Kingdom, South Korea, Malaysia, Canada and Germany.
Of the total teams, three have only Nepali climbers. They
are the Super Sherpa Everest Campaign, NTV-Lions Everest Expedition 2007
and Loktantrik Everest Expedition Campaign. The teams are led by 16-time
Everest summiteers Appa Sherpa, Kami Sherpa and Ang Rita Sherpa. Ang
Rita is also known as the "Snow Mountain".
Some more teams are likely to come to apply for climbing
mountain peaks. A total of 17 teams had received permit for Mt. Everest
in spring 2006.
Meanwhile, 20 climbers, including nine Nepali Sherpas and
three Japanese, are planning to climb the world's tallest peak from
Tibetan side and carry out a clean-up campaign on it.
Led by famous Japanese climber Ken Noguchi, who has already
scaled seven tallest peaks of the seven continents, the team will focus
its attention on the advanced base camp located at an altitude of 6,400
metres above sea level.
According to Noguchi, the team is planning to collect
garbage, including tents, ropes, oxygen cylinders and food cans.
Disclosing his plan in Kathmandu on April 4, 2007, he said
that similar efforts are being made simultaneously on Mt. Fuji in Japan.
He said that the event is going to be telecast live through
satellite television.
Besides, two women mountaineers-- one Japanese Kei
Taniguchi and Pasang Lhamu Sherpa of Nepal are planning to make it to
the top of the world.
Similarly, Pemba Dorjee Sherpa, who has set a record as the
fastest Everest summiteers, will be in the same expedition. Sherpa aims
to hoist the national flags of all the countries and flags of the eight
political parties on Mt. Everest.
|
03 April, 2007
Xtreme Everest Team Likely Get 'Go
Ahead'
The Xtreme Everest Expedition is likely to receive
permission soon from the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) to conduct
a health research on Mt. Everest.
"The team has applied for permission at NHRC. The
ethical review board of NHRC will issue permission only after it
thoroughly reviews all ethical and technical aspects of the project,"
said Dr. Sharad Raj Onta, the Member-Secretary of NHRC.
Doctors working at the edge of extreme were set to
climb the world’s tallest peak to look death in the face – and take its
pulse. The medical research team plans to make the first ever
measurements of blood oxygen in the ‘death zone’, at altitudes above
8,000 metres where the human body has struggled - and frequently failed
- to survive.
NHRC is an authorised body to conduct and
facilitate researches and studies on health-related issues. The body had
termed the research project as 'illegal' and sought a detailed project
proposal from the research team. The team of doctors was supposed to be
led by the Centre for Aviation, Space and Extreme Environment Medicine
(CASE) team, based at University College London (UCL).
At the summit, clinicians are planning to measure
the amount of oxygen in their own blood along with running tests to see
how well their brains, lungs and metabolisms are working at extreme
altitude.
Dr. Onta said that NHRC could give provisional
permission to the team to carry out the research considering the time
constraint. The team was planning to conduct the research this spring.
It did not think that it had to take permit from the concerned
agencies.
"The team now has realised its mistake and agreed
to include one Nepali health researcher in it," he said.
Expedition leader Dr Mike Grocott and other members
of the team in town.
The team, all of whom work with anaesthesia,
intensive care or remote medicine, hope to draw parallels between the
human body pushed to its limits during critical illness and changes that
occur in extreme environments. Low levels of oxygen in the blood of high
altitude climbers is similar to levels in critically ill patients on
breathing machines with severe heart and lung conditions, “blue babies”
and cystic fibrosis sufferers.
The summiteers will also test a prototype
closed-circuit breathing system. This type of circuit has only once
previously - and unsuccessfully - been used by climbers attempting the
summit. The equipment, adapted from firefighters’ apparatus, will be
redesigned to cope with icy conditions.
John Caudwell, a mobile phone millionaire, was to
be a guinea pig in the health experiment on Everest. The ex-Phones4U
chief was planning to attempt the Summit.
|
02 April, 2007
Interim Govt Formed in Nepal
As a fresh
political development, the much-awaited interim government in Nepal has
been formed under the premiership of octogenarian leader and President
of the Nepali Congress (NC), Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala on April 1, 2007.
The
interim government has representation of eight political parties,
including the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).
The
meeting of the Interim Legislature-Parliament unanimously elected Mr.
Koirala as the Prime Minister of the Interim Government.
Mr Koirala
took an oath of office and secrecy at the Legisture-Parliament meeting
on April 1.
This is
the sixth time that Mr. Koirala has been appointed the Prime Minister of
Nepal.
Mr. Koirala administered the oath of office to the newly appointed
members of the interim government.
The
22-member interim government has been entrusted with the responsibility
of holding the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections, which will be held
on June 20 this year. A meeting of the eight political parties took the
decision in this regard on Sunday morning.
He urged
for cooperation from all following his reappointment as the head of the
new government.
He added,
"Post is not important; what is important is everybody's cooperation. If
all eight-parties extend their full support and cooperation, we can
easily establish peace in the country," he said.
He also
promised peace and security in the country.
As per the
division of portfolios, Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala looks after the
portfolios of Prime Minister, Defense, Health and Population. Similarly,
Mr. Ram Chandra Poudel (NC) has been entrusted with the responsibility
as Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, Mrs. Sahana Pradhan (UML) as
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Krishna Bahadur Mahara (Maoist) as
Minister for Information and Communications, Mr. Pradeep Nepal (UML) as
Minister for Education and Sports, Mr. Mahantha Thakur (NC) as Minister
for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat (NC) as
Minister for Finance, Mr. Narendra Bikram Nemwang (NC-D) as Minister for
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Krishna Prasad Sitaula (NC)
as Minister for Home Affairs, Mr. Dev Gurung (Maoists) as Minister for
Local Development, Mr. Rajendra Mahato (NSP-Anandi Devi) as Minister for
Industry, Commerce and Supply, Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung (UML) as
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Matrika Yadav
(Maoists) as Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation, Mr. Chhabi Lal
Biswokarma (UML) as Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mrs.
Hisila Yami (Maoists) as Minister for Physical Planning and Works, Mr.
Jagat Bahadur Bogati (United Left Front) as Minister for Land Reforms
and Management and Mr. Khadga Bahadur Biswokarma (Maoists) as Minister
for Women, Children and Social Welfare.
The newly
formed interim government will induct five more cabinet members after
Prime Minister Mr. Koirala returns from India. Now he has gone to New
Delhi to take part in the 14th Summit of the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Similarly, five state ministers are Mr. Ramesh Lekhak (NC-D) looks
after the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management, Mr. Gyanendra
Bahadur Karki (NC-D) has taken the responsibility of Water Resources,
Mr. Ram Chandra Yadav (UML) General Administration, Mr. Indra Bahadur
Gurung (NC) Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and Mahendra Singh
Rathore (UML) Education and Sports.
The
induction of the Maoists in the interim government has been taken as an
important development in Nepal’s ongoing peace process. The tourism
sector of the country is expected to see tangible signs of revival soon.
Meanwhile,
different countries and international organisations and agencies have
welcomed the formation of the interim government. Those welcoming the
formation of the new government include the United States, European
Union (EU), United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), India, Japan,
Russia, the United Kingdom (UK), Pakistan and other countries and
organisations.
Similarly,
the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) has welcomed the
formation of the interim government and induction of the Communist Party
of Nepal (Maoist) in it.
In a press
statement issued on April 2, 2007, the association urged the government,
political parties and the civil society organisations to help create
tourism-friendly environment and act in a responsible manner. |
02 April, 2007
Park's Team Climbing Everest Via
Southwest Face
A South
Korean expedition team, led by famous climber Mr. Park Young Seok, is
going to climb the 8,848-metre Mt.. Everest via southwest face this
season.
This is
the first time that climbers are attempting the peak via the route,
which is considered the most difficult one.
In 2006,
Mr. Park completed Grand Slam Expedition that includes the world's 14
peaks above 8,000 metres, Seven Continental Peaks and Three Poles.
He climbed
Mt. Everest from Tibetan side last year.
The leader
of the Everest Southwest Face Expedition 2007 says that climbing
mountain peaks is his hobby.
He plans
to go on climbing the mountains to identify and locate new routes, which
will help new comers in the expedition mission.
The
climber and his team members and friends performed puja at the Schechen
Monastery at Bouddha on April 1, 2007 to commemorate the climbers who
lost their lives while in the expeditions.
He loves
Nepal as his second home. "I wish peace in Nepal," said Mr. Park, who
has been carrying out a number of activities in his home country to
promote Nepal as an adventure destination. |
01 April, 2007
Interim Govt Formed in Nepal
As a fresh
political development, the much-awaited interim government in Nepal has
been formed under the premiership of octogenerian leader and President
of the Nepali Congress (NC), Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala on April 1, 2007.
The interim
government has representation of eight political parties, including the
Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).
The meeting of the
Interim Legislature-Parliament unanimously elected Mr. Koirala as the
Prime Minister of the Interim Government.
Mr Koirala took
an oath of office and secrecy at the Legisture-Parliament meeting
on April 1.
This is the sixth
time that Mr. Koirala has been appointed the Prime Minister of Nepal.
Mr. Koirala
administered the oath of office to the newly appointed members of the
interim government.
The 22-member
interim government has been entrusted with the responsibility of holding
the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections, which will be held on June 20
this year. A meeting of the eight political parties took the decision in
this regard on Sunday morning.
He urged for
cooperation from all following his reappointment as the head of the new
government.
He added, "Post is
not important; what is important is everybody's cooperation. If all
eight-parties extend their full support and cooperation, we can easily
establish peace in the country," he said.
He also promised
peace and security in the country.
Ram Chandra Poudel (NC), Sahana Pradhan (UML), Krishna Bahadur Mahara
(Maoist), Pradeep Nepal (UML), Mahantha Thakur (NC), Dr. Ram Sharan
Mahat (NC), Narendra Bikram Nemwang (NC-D), Krishna Prasad Sitaula (NC),
Dev Gurung (Maoists), Rajendra Mahato (NSP-A), Prithvi Subba Gurung (UML),
Matrika Yadav (Maoists), Chhabi Lal Biswokarma (UML), Hisila Yami
(Maoists), Jagat Bogati (ULF) and Khadga Bahadur Biswokarma (Maoists)
are the members of the new cabibet.
Similarly, five state ministers include Ramesh Lekhak (NC-D), Gyanendra
Bahadur Karki (NC-D), Ram Chandra Yadav, Indra Bahadur Gurung (NC) and
Mahendra Singh Rathore (UML).
The inclusion of the Maoists in the interim government is taken as an
important development in Nepal’s ongoing peace process. The tourism
sector of the country is expected to see tangible signs of revivals
soon. |
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