Kathmandu, July 7 : Two hundred saplings of several species of plants with religious association have been planted at Kailashdanda of the Pashupati area today.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, initiated the sapling planting programme. The saplings of Sami, Kapur, Rudrakshya, Asare species, among others, were planted in the open spaces at Kailashdanda.

The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) had built a wall this year for the protection of Kailashdanda as it envisages to develop the area into an attractive park.

PADT has continued with the campaign of planting saplings of various species of trees and plants having religious association since last year by announcing that it would plant 5,000 such saplings in the Pashupati area.

Also today, Minister Bhattarai inaugurated the main gate built towards the southern edge of Pashupati area near the Ring Road. This gate has been constructed by Nepal SBI Bank at an investment of Rs 30 million as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Addressing the programme, Minister Bhattarai said although there is adverse situation due to the coronavirus pandemic, all sectors could not be closed always. He shared that preparations are being made for operating trade, business and enterprises including the public transport by maintaining social distancing.
The minister opined that a lot needed to be done for providing minimum services to the pilgrims and devotees visiting the temple. He urged the PADT to work vigorously to establish the significance of Pashupati among the people across the world adhering to the Vedic Sanatana Hindu faith.
Secretary at the Ministry, Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, said the business houses and institutions should also pay attention to carrying out works under their corporate social responsibility in other religious sites of the country as well.

PADT member-secretary Dr Pradip Dhakal said the Pashupati area is being developed into a venue for practising meditation and yoga, and a place of religious learning. He said the Trust is engaged in the campaign of establishing the identity of Pashupati area as an attractive place for spiritualism and religion to draw a large number of religious tourists from across the globe.

Nepal SBI Bank Ltd’s managing director and CEO, Anukul Bhatnakar said the Bank would carry out several other works and activities in partnership with PADT. On the occasion, he also handed over a broomer machine costing Rs 2.5 million for cleaning around the Pashupati area.RSS

Kathmandu, July 3 : The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has started imparting training virtually to the tourism entrepreneurs about the effective implementation of the protocol on precautions and safety measures to be taken while reopening the tourism sector after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Issuing a press statement on Friday, the Board shared that the training was conducted in coordination with the tourism related organizations to enforce the ‘Operational Guideline with Health Protocol for Tourism Sector’ that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and NTB had prepared jointly.

NTB CEO Dr Dhananjay Regmi shared that some 600 tourism entrepreneurs would be provided training in the first phase. The protocol includes measures to be taken by the people right from their arrival to their departure as well as by the service providers here.
The protocol also encourages tourism entrepreneurs to do digital marketing to attract tourists in the wake of COVID-19, according to the press statement.

The training was coordinated by Hotel Association of Nepal, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal.

The training would be conducted at the state level in future, according to the NTB.RSS

By Prasanna Vaidya

The impact of COVID-19 on both the national and the global economy is being predicted every day. At this stage, every expert’s opinions are estimations/approximations while the real impact depends on the magnitude and how long the pandemic will last. Everyone seems aware of the global crisis, the COVID-19 has created and Nepal is not untouched from the prolonged impact on its tourism-based economy. The tourism sector is one of the main sectors that contributes to Nepal’s economy. Last year, Nepal’s tourism sector generated Rs 240 billion revenue and 1 million jobs.

By hosting the Visit Nepal 2020, Nepal had targeted to attract 2 million arrivals, but it is unachievable due to the pandemic. Many countries have enforced prolonged lockdowns in their effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Because of these preventive measures, even after the lockdown ends, both the international and domestic tourists will be discouraged. As a result, there will be an immediate economic impact on the tourism sector especially hotels, airlines, and mostly the tourism-dependent retail industries will hit the hardest.

With the nationwide lockdown, which is in force since March 24, the government of Nepal is trying to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Since the situation is still under control with only 217 cases so far, industries, manufacturers, and service providers of essential goods have been relieved with strict guideline while sectors which invite public gathering are still at the halt. On the other hand, to fully control the spread of the virus, Nepal needs to improve its capacity in dealing with COVID-19 and continue the infrastructural development projects aiming to restart the Visit Nepal tourism campaign next year.

Nevertheless, the Government of Nepal should also play its part in the spirit of shared responsibility to overcome the current challenges and start working to accelerate recovery measures. Perhaps some of the planning/implementing may not address all the challenges but commitment by the government provides encouragement to this sector. To support the tourism sector, Nepal should purposely encourage local tourism for domestic holidays, once it is safe which will help the local airlines, tour and travel agents, and hotels to revive their operation and brings sustainability in terms of cash flows for the time being. When the world slowly turns back to normal international travel restrictions will likely linger on to avoid importing new COVID-19 cases. So, an immunity certificate (like Yellow Fever booklet) can become a requirement for both outward and inward travel because COVID-19 survivors become immune to subsequent infections and transmissions. Already the UK is considering issuing “immunity passports” so that people can leave the lockdown early. Improving visa application processes through the online medium as part of bilateral arrangements makes easier for travelers to arrive.

In Nepal, travel has been an integral part of our lifestyle. But this outbreak has put a brake on it since February this year. Once it is safe to travel, vacation close to home can provide travelers with more peace of mind. It is the likelihood that nature and wildlife will be preferred in the months ahead. So, the hills resorts, trekking, adventure sports, wildlife reserves and slightly isolated locations will be occupied. Road trips may find greater favor with families and friends are likely to drive-outs for short vacations nearby city and some will push the ‘hometown’ visit quite significantly.

The Government of Nepal should concentrate on stimulating the tourism sector to cope and monitor worldwide measures for the pandemic. Service Tax should be relaxed to hotels, travel agencies, and airlines from March to August 2020. Monthly electricity bills should also be relaxed to hotels, travel agencies, airlines, transports, conventions and exhibition centers. The government should bring out a stimulus package to fund the employees of the tourism-related and affected sectors. There should also be relaxation on existing guidelines limiting the use of hotels as part of mitigating the reduced demand. The government also needs to propose a stimulus relief package to taxi drivers, tourist bus drivers, tourist guides, and registered trishaw drivers and resume their service with revised guidelines as their income depends on day to day service. There should be postponement of income tax monthly installments for tourism-related sectors and tax relief on the expenditure of domestic tourism for a short period. Rebates on the landing and parking charges of rental premises at the airport should be considered. And should encourage tourism and related sectors to conduct skill training to employees so that they will be prepared when the market recovers. Thus, the government should ramp-up the tourism sector to fight against slow economic growth and the pandemic.

(The author is an M.Phil at Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University.)

KATHMANDU, May 10: China’s state-owned television network China Global Television Network has claimed Mount Everest lies in China’s autonomous region, Tibet.

After the Chinese government sent a team of scientists and surveyors to scale the world’s tallest peak amid ban over the coronavirus pandemic, the CGTN on May 2 tweeted claiming the world’s tallest peak is in China along with some photographs.

“In pictures: An extraordinary sun halo was spotted Friday in the skies over Mount #Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak located in China’s #Tibet Autonomous Region,” the television tweeted.

The Everest lies between the border of Nepal and Tibet. Nepal and China in 1960 reached a border dispute resolution agreement, according to which the southern ridge of Everest will belong to Nepal.

And since, the Southern ridge is taller than the northern ridge, the highest peak is apparently located in Nepal, which is globally accepted. The northern ride is very less used for expedition and mountaineering purposes.

China’s attempt to consolidate its claim on Mt Everest, amid controversy over the road link via Lipulekh which passes through Nepali territory, has drawn widespread criticisms in social media users from Nepal and India, netizens have called it a “fake news” and even questioned Nepal Government’s silence over the issue.

“Mt Everest lies in Nepal. The tweeting will not change geography. China get your facts right,” a user responded to CGTN’s status.

“@MoFANepal Is this true? Mount Everest is in China, as they are claiming?,” another user wrote.

“Don’t share fake news,” an Indian user wrote.

KATHMANDU, March 9: Thousands of people gathered at Basantapur, Patan, Tundikhel and other parts of the valley to welcome the arrival of spring with colors and joy on Monday despite the government request not to participate in the public events including the Holi to contain the possible outbreak of coronavirus.

The festival of colors is celebrated with fanfare in the hilly regions of Nepal today, smearing colors and drenching each other.

However, the participation of people was fewer than the previous years. Those who joined the elaborated celebrations were mostly locals from the ancient towns of the valley.

“I wanted to go to Basantapur with my friends and have a lot of fun. But nobody wants to mix in the gatherings today…so I decided to stay home,” said Krishna Bhandari, a local resident of Bhaktapur.

Majority of people from other parts of the city celebrated the festival with their family members and in small groups while some chose to stay home as a precautionary measure to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

Although the virus outbreak has not hit Nepal hard yet, with only one confirmed case so far, the World Health Organization has placed the country under high risk.

A host of events, including Holi, has been hit by the coronavirus fears in the country.

The government has put the Visit Nepal 2020 publicity campaign on hold and canceled flights from and to COVID-19 hit countries to avoid the spread of coronavirus, that has killed nearly 3,792 people and infected more than 109,000 in 99 countries and territories since it was first detected in Wuhan, China in late Dec last year.

Several other events like Everest Premier League, Bhaktapur Festival 2020 have also been affected by virus.

Photos: Mukunda Kalikote

KATHMANDU, February 21: Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees from across the country and outside the country have thronged Pashupatinath temple today to celebrate the Mahashivaratri.

According to the Pashupati Area Development Trust, the gates were opened at 3 am today while four queues have been arranged for the pilgrims to get into the main temple. The Trust is welcoming the arrival of over one million devotees this year including over 5,000 sadhus from around the country and various parts of India.

Over 6,000 security personnel from Nepal Police and Nepal Army have been deployed in the temple premises to prevent any untoward incident, and Emergency health camps, security posts, information centers and temporary toilets have also been set up for the visiting devotees.

Likewise, the Movement of vehicles has not been allowed in Chabahil-Mitra Park-Gaushala-Battisputali Ratopul-Gaushala and Gaurighat road sections to ease the movement of people, according to the Metropolitan Traffic Division.

SIGNIFICANCE

People also visit other temples in different parts of the country to worship Lord Shiva today.

Shivaratri, thought to be the day Lord Shiva was born, is one of the four nights called Kaalratri, Moharatri, Sukharatri and Shivaratri, and is regarded as one of the greatest festivals in the holy scriptures of the Hindus—the Puranas.

This day is celebrated on the lunar month of Falgun and is believed to instill faith in those destined to live in trouble.

The Skanda Purana, another holy text of the Hindus, also mentions the significance of the Shivaratri.

The religious belief is that if one offers milk, Dhaturo (a kind of intoxicating plant) and ‘Belpatra’ to Lord Shiva and observes night-long fasting, he/she will receive heavenly blessings.

The festival which is regarded as a national festival consists of ‘warming’ Lord Shiva in the belief that the Lord also feels cold on this day and people organize bonfires at public squares, houses, temples and shrines and perform prayers to please Lord Shiva.

Four kinds of worships including Mahadip, Akhandadip, Lakshya Batti and Dipotsav as well as the offering of Belpatra will be performed in four phases tonight, while classical dances are performed at the Kailashkut and Kirateswor Music Ashram.

Photos: Rss

CHITWAN, Feb 9: The construction of a cruise ship in Bharatpur-16 has reached the final stages, and will set its maiden sail in Narayani River from mid February.

According to Rhino Water Entertainment Pvt Ltd Ram Chandra Kandel, online bookings for the same will open in the next ten days.

Travelers will also be able to enjoy live concerts inside the cruise that is also equipped with a bar.

The ground floor can accommodate 90 passengers, while the first floor and the roof and accommodate 110 and 20.

The breakfast cruise will include a ride for two hours while the lunch and dinner cruise will be a journey of three hours each.

The company has hired foreign crew to run the cruise ship, and is planning to train Nepali in the coming days.

Built by the Grandeur Marine International of India at the cost of around Rs 150 million, the cruise can travel at a speed of 35 kilometers per hour.

KATHMANDU: The Tamang community celebrates Sonam Lhosar as it marks its new year 2856. It was celebrated with fanfare and jubilant participation in Dhulikhel. The Sonam Lhosar festival celebrates the lunar calendar similar to the Chinese, and it falls on the second new moon during the winter solstice.

It is a time of festivity looking toward a better future and discarding negative forces with rituals from the monasteries, eating well, buying new clothes, cleaning, and decorating the house.

The festivity is also a culturally sound and rich tradition and the Tamang community’s contribution to the diversity of Nepal. The Tamang community has a strong presence in Bagmati province in 13 districts. Various district people from the community gathered at Kathmandu in Dhulikhel to celebrate this festival in a grand way also organizing a “Cultural Fest to mark their new year.

On this year’s occasion in the organized event, youth leader of the Tamang community and member of the House of Representative (HoR) Prem Tamang participated in the event. They also discussed the problems being faced by their community and to draw the attention of the Government of Nepal (GoN) toward their needs.

They also expressed dissatisfaction that such a major event of their community was being neglected by the government and that more needed to be done to bring national limelight.

Numerous cultural programs and dances were a part of this gala event along with a variety of ethnic dishes. The crowd representing the Tamang community was humongous in Dhulikhel.

(Photo Courtesy: Mukunda Kalikote for Reporters Nepal subsidiary of the Reporters Club Nepal)

KATHMANDU, Jan 1: The Visit Nepal Year 2020 has been officially inaugurated amidst a special ceremony held at the Dasharath Stadium this evening.

The VNY 2020 is being observed as a national festival with a target to bring in 2 million tourists, and with a determination to establish tourism sector as the major foundation of Nepal’s economic prosperity.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari inaugurated the VNY 2020 amidst a grand ceremony held at the Stadium.

Also present at the function were the Chief Justice, the National Assembly Chairman, former Prime Ministers, political party leaders, dignitaries from various countries including tourism ministers, heads of constitutional bodies, heads of diplomatic mission, members of parliament and ministers.

In his welcome speech, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai said that the VNY 2020 was only an entry point and that the government was preparing to observe the coming decade as the tourism decade.

Prior to the official inauguration, march past by associations related to the tourism sector, social organizations were held while the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force made a special presentation.

Renowned musical bands of Nepal also performed on the occasion.

The VNY 2020 was also officially inaugurated in all the seven State today including in Biratnagar of State no. 1, Janakpur in State no. 2, Suraha, Chief in State no. 3, Pokhara in Gandaki State, Thakurdwar, Bardia in State no. 5, Bulbul lake in Karnali and Dhangadi in Sudur Paschim State.

Also speaking on the occasion, VNY 2020 Secretariat Coordinator Suraj Baidya said the inaugural ceremony was focused on highlighting Nepal’s culture, heritage, costume and lifestyle while promoting tourism in the country. RSS

In one of the remotest part of Western Nepal, lies the biggest and the deepest prestine freshwater lake of the country.

The Rara Lake. Covering the water surface area of 10.8 sq km and reaching 167 meters deep, the lake is situated at an altitude of 2990 meters (9,810 feet) above the sea level in the Mugu district.

Protected by the Rara National Park–which covers the area of 1583 hector in Jumla and Mugu districts and covered by the vast alpine coniferous vegetation including blue pine, black juniper, Himalayan spruce, oak, Himalayan cypress and other representatives of such flora and fauna, the rich vegetation here is a sanctuary for diverse species of wildlife such as the endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan Thar, yellow-throated martin, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque and the common otter.

Resident Gallinaceous birds and migrant waterfowl are commonly sighted around the lake area while birds like coots, great-crested grebe, black-necked grebe, red-crested pochard, mallard, common teal, merganser and gull can be seen in the park during the winter.

Rara, the shimmering blue jewel as named by Bill Greer, is one of the major trekking destinations of the country.

Trek to Rara can offer anyone with the cultural and scenic beauty of the snow-capped mountains and spectacular landscape through the logistically tough routes but a memorable and fascinating and experience.

It takes a two or three days hike to reach the Rara Lake. The trek starts from Jumla. The trek leads through the remote country toward the Tibetan border through Charya Chaur, Botan and Ghorasain. Chuchemara Hill at 4,087m is the best vantage point to enjoy magnificent views of the deep blue lake, the forested hillsides and the snow-capped peaks.

The best time to journey to the Rara is spring, summer and autumn.

Photos: Prashneel Nepal