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NEWS OF NEPAL

ENTRY FEE TO PASHUPATINATH DOUBLED Himalayan News Servic (Kathmandu, June 14). , 16th June 2009
Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has decided to double the entry fee for foreigners to the Pashupatinath area from tomorrow. Paramananda Shakya, member secretary at PADT, informed that the entry fee had been increased to Rs 500 from existing Rs 250. Visitors from India, however, are not required to pay any fee. "We have never charged Indian visitors because both Nepal and India share cultural and religious identities. They come here as pilgrims not tourists," Shakya added. Shakya, however, revealed that the PADT had been studying the possibilities of introducing entry fee for Indian visitors to generate more funds. Shakya also said he had already informed travel agencies about the change in entry fee structure to the area listed in UNESCO's World Heritage List. More than 300 foreigners visit the temple premises every day. "After increasing the entry fee, we will also focus on infrastructure development in the area. We will build more eateries and restrooms of international standard. We are also planning to present an attractive souvenir to every foreign visitor visiting the area, "Shakya said. Meanwhile, the PADT has deployed additional tourist police personnel and security guards for the wellbeing of foreign visitors. He also said security guards had intensified round-the-clock vigil at the temple premises to protect property and artifact in the area.

SHERPA CLIMBS MOUNT EVEREST FOR RECORD 19TH TIME., 22nd May 2009
A Nepali Sherpa carrying a banner reading "Stop Climate Change" climbed Mount Everest for Record 19th time on Thursday, improving his own record set last year, officials said. Apa Sherpa, 49 who lives in the United States, reached the 8,850 meters (29,035 foot) peak along the Souteast Ridge route, pioneered by New ealand's Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. "Climbing Everest is very difficult thing," said Ang Tshering Sherpa, chief of the Asian Trekking Agency that sponsored the Eco Everest Expedition with which Apa Climbed. "It is becoming more and more challenging because of climate change that has melted ice, exposed steep rocks and widened crevasses." Apa, who first reached the summit of Everest in 1990, was born in Solukhumbhu district, home to Mount Everest, but now lives in the Salt Lake City, Utah. He carried a special metal vase containing auspicious Buddhist offerings to the world's highest point, hoping to draw international attention to the effects of climate change on the Himalayas. Environmental activists say the Himalayan glaciers are rapidly shrinking due to climate change threatening the lives of millions of people who depend on them for water. More than 3,000 people have climbed Everest from the Nepali and Tibetan sides since 1953...

TAAN E- NEWS - Tibet reopens for foreign tourism, 26 / 06 / 08
More than three months after a wave of violent anti-China protests, Tibet has reopened to foreign tourists, Chinese state media says. The region was 'safe' and overseas visitors were welcome, state news agency, Xinhua, quoted a local tourism chief as saying. China had closed Tibet to foreign tourists after riots erupted in mid-March. The decision to allow them back comes days after the Olympic torch's short, tightly controlled visit to the region passed off smoothly. "The success of the Olympic torch relay held three days ago in Lhasa demonstrated that the foundation for the social stability has been further consolidated," Xinhua quoted Tanor, deputy director of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Bureau of Tourism, as saying. "Tibet is safe. We welcome the domestic and foreign tourists." Though Tibet was closed for foreigners, domestic tour groups were allowed to Tibet since late April, Xinhua said

BBC South Asia News - Everest record set by 76-year-old , 14 June 2008
A 76-year-old Nepalese man has become the oldest person to climb Mount Everest, according to officials. A tourism ministry spokesman said Bahadur Sherchan reached the summit on Sunday morning in good health and was set to return to base camp on Monday. Climbers have been flocking to the mountain since ascents were temporarily halted because of security concerns over the Olympic torch relay. On Thursday, a record 86 mountaineers reached the 8,850m (29,035ft) summit. Good weather has also meant favourable climbing conditions. Also on Thursday, another Nepalese man, 47-year-old Appa Sherpa, broke his own record for the most ascents after climbing the mountain for the 18th time.

TAAN E-NEWS - Govt. names Lukla Airport after Tenzing-Hillary , 14th Feb 2008
The government has named Lukla Airport and trekking route from Lukla to Everest Base Camp (EBC) after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, the first summiteers on Mt. Everest. Now onwards, the airport will be termed Tenzing-Hillary Airport and the route will be named as Tenzing-Hillary Route. The decision regarding this was taken on a Cabinet Meeting held on February 10, 2008. The proposal for this was taken to the cabinet by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. The government has also decided to name one mountain peak after Sir Edmund Hillary. Ministry source say that the peak is yet to be decided. The government has also decided to observe May 29, the day of the first ascent of Mt. Everest back in 1953, as International Everest Day. TAAN had asked the government to commemorate the day as 'International Everest Day' and develop it as a day dedicated to mountain and mountaineering. Likewise, the Ministry also decided to install the statues of Sir Edmund and Tenzing Norgay at the premises of International Mountain Museum in Pokhara.

TAAN E- NEWS - Yeti Airlines begin international flights , 3rd Feb 2008
Yeti Airlines International, a joint venture between Yeti Airlines and Air Arabia of United Arab Emirates, has started its international flights from January 22, 2008, under the brand of flyyeti.com. The flyyeti.com flies two times a week to Sharajahan of United Arab Emirates and three times a week to Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Flyyeti.com is operated by Air Arabia. Flyyeti.com is a low cost carrier that plans to operate low cost flights to different destinations in different Asian countries including India, Malaysia, the UAE, Qatar, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea. Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa, chairman of the airline, said that the airlines was planning to bring in another aircraft, an Airbus 320 in mid-February and Boeing 737-800 in mid-March, and expand the flights to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Lhasa. Yeti Airlines International is the fourth international airline originating from Nepal. While Necon Air and Air Nepal International are already out of service, the third one, Cosmic Air, recently restarted its international flights.

TAAN NEWS - Tourist arrival crosses half million mark, 20th Jan 2008
Buoyed by increasing political stability and good air connectivity in the country, tourist arrival in the year 2007 has crossed the half million mark. A total of 360,350 air travelers in 2007 plus 153,000 visitors via road in the first 11 months of the year was enough to propel total tourist arrival across the half million mark. Though the South Asian market recorded an unimpressive growth rate, the Asian (49.4%), Europe (38.6%), American (46.8%) and Oceania (40%) recorded an impressive growth rate over the arrival figure of 2006. The Indian market, that contributes over one-third arrivals to Nepal, contributed just 26% in the arrival figure of 2007. The revival of European and American market is an important achievement in 2007. The European and American markets have been fetching upmarket clientele to Nepal for the last many years. The year has been a superb year for the tourism industry as all the tourist areas of the country are reportedly flooded with visitors. All major trekking routes of the country and leading destinations outside the Kathmandu Valley received an emphatic growth in 2007. The increase in tourist arrival was ably supported by increasing air connectivity in the country. Nine new international airlines started flying to Nepal in the last 14 months, linking Kathmandu with major regional hubs in the likes of Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, Sharajahan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Tourist arrival in 2007 surpassed the arrival figure of 1999 that saw a total of over 491,504 visitors in the country.

TAAN observes condolence meet, 20th Jan 2008
Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) organized a condolence meet on January 15, 2008 in memory of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first summiteer of Mt. Everest. Sir Edmund Hillary was also the honorary member of TAAN. Before the condolence meet, a joint prayer was organized as per the Buddhist and Hindus tradition where Lamas and Batuks chanted sacred Mantras for the eternal peace of the departed soul. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung said that the Ministry would take proposal to the Cabinet Meeting to name Lukla Airport as Tenzing-Hillary Airport. 'The Ministry is positive on TAAN's call to set up Tenzing-Hillary International Everest Award carrying a purse of US$ 25,000. I will take the proposal in the coming cabinet meeting,' Minister Gurung added. He also said that the statues of Tenzing and Hillary would be set up at the premises of International Mountain Museum in Pokhara. 'We are committed to continue the humanitarian and environmental activities initiated by Sir Edmund. It would be a fitting tribute to Sir Edmund's contribution,' Mr. Gurung added. Earlier, president of TAAN Mr. Jyoti Adhikari announced different awards in the memory of Tenzing and Hillary and called upon the entire tourism industry for their support. 'The first ascent of Mt. Everest helped Nepal open up to the rest of the world. This day holds special mention in our industry. I propose the entire industry to commemorate the day as International Everest Day by organizing different activities throughout the country,' Mr. Adhikari said. Adhikari also requested the government to establish Tenzing-Hillary International Everest Award in the memory of the first summiteers on Mt. Everest. In the condolence meet, TAAN announced Hillary-Tenzing Reporters/Photographer Award, Hillary-Tenzing Documentary Award and Hillary-Tenzing Research and Thesis Award in the memory of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary. The first two awards carry the purse of Rs. 50,000 while the third award carries Rs. 25,000 each for two persons. Mr. Jamling Norgay Sherpa, son of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, said that Hillary was a father figure to the Sherpa community. 'Apart from just being a mountaineer, Hillary was a great humanitarian, Sherpa said. Sending her message to the condolence meet, Miss Elizabeth Hawley, executive director of Himalayan Trust, said that the loss of Sir Emund has been felt all over the world

The Himalayan Times - Sir Edmund Hillaray - Towering above the rest, 15th Jnan 2008
Sir Edumund Hillary of New Zealand passed away on January 11, 2008 at the age of 88 years. Sir Edumund died of a heart attack at the Auckland City Hospital at around 9 am New Zealand time on 11 January. According New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. He was the first man to climb the highest peak (8,850m) on 29 May 1953. After the ascent, he famously greeted another member of the British expedition group with the words: “Well, George, we’ve knocked the bastard off.” Hillary, a beekeeper who served during World War II in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, he began climbing from high school days. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II upon hi return to England and in 2003, he was made an honorary citizen of Nepal on 50th anniversary or his historic climb. "Human life is far more important than just getting to the top of a mountain," he said at the time. "I think the whole attitude toward climbing Mount Everest has become rather horrifying -- the people just want to get to the top." In his later years, Hillary became a strong supporter of environmental causes and his Himalayan Trust has helped build hospitals, clinics, bridges, airstrips and nearly 30 schools to improve the lives of Nepal’s Sherpas.

The Himalayan Times - China to construct road within Nepali Territory, 4th Dec 2007
The Chinese government is all set to build a new road within Nepali territory on the Nepal-China border from Syprubesi to Rasuwagadi in northern Nepal, within two years. Maheshwor Lal Shrestha, Senior Division Engineer at the Department of Roads (DOR), said the China government has already completed a survey and prepared the design of road. “The construction of the new road along the border with China will not only increase economic activities in Nepal, but also help boost trade and commerce between China and India,” Shrestha told this daily today. According to him, once the road is built, it will be the shortest route for transportation of goods between China and India through Nepali territory. The nearest current border point is Tatopani in Sindhupulchowk district, but the Birjung – Kathmandu Nuwkot-Rasuwagadhi route will be shorter than the route connecting the Tatopani checkpoint. “Nepali would be collecting revenues and the locals of Rasuwa would also be able to easily export their local products to China,” he said. The total length of the new road is around 16 kms and is 4.5 meters wide. Out of the total width, China would gravel 3.5 meters. Eight big and three small bridges lie within the road where the total carriageway of the bridge is 7 meters. The road initially goes along Bhote Koshi that passes by Linlin and Timure villages that are situated 1,736 meters above the sea level respectively. The road ends at 1,819 meter at Rashuwagadhi. According to Shrestha, the total estimated cost for construction of the road is around 165 million Yuan (Nrs 1,419 million). The consultant and the contractor would be finalized by the end of this month and if they arrive here n time the construction would start by the end of February 2008. He added. He said the DoR would be playing the role of Liaison office for the construction of the road. “All the skilled manpower would be hired by the contractors on the basis of cost effectiveness,” he stated, adding: “A bridge from Rasuwagadhi to Tibet would be constructed by the Chinese government later after the completion of the road.”

The Himalayan Times - Hong Kong Express, Orient Thai to fly to Nepal, 14th Dec 2007
After Dragon Air, two other international airlines are planning fly to Nepal this December. Hong Kong based Hong Kong Express is starting its flight from December 13 while Orient Thai of Thailand is scheduled to being its Nepal flights from December 18. Hong Kong Express is flying to Kathmandu thrice a week with its Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured to carry 164 passengers including eight in the business class. The airline will fly to Kathmandu on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The airline has appointed President Travels as its general sales agent (GSA) in Nepal. Similarly, Orient Thai Airlines, a budget airline from Thailand is beginning its scheduled flight to Kathmandu from December 18. The airline will fly three times a week in the Bangkok-Kathmandu route with a 170-seater MD-82 aircraft. Orient Asia International is the general sales agent (GSA) for the airline in Nepal. Orient Thai is the ninth airline to fly to Nepal in the last 13 months. Meanwhile, national flag carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) is suspending its scheduled flights for a week starting December 18. According to sources at NAC, the only operational Boeing 757 is scheduled to go on a C-Check on December 18 to Brunei. Other Boeing 757 of the NAC is grounded in Brunei without its engine.

The Himalayan Times - International Mountains Day observed, 14th Dec 2007
Nepal Travel Media Association (NTMA) and Gorkha Tourism (GT) observed International Mountains Day by organizing a hiking cum interaction programme at Lakuribhanjyang of Lalitpur district. The programme was attended by more than 40 participants including media people, travel trade entrepreneurs, and representatives of different associations. The theme for this year’s International Mountains Day celebration was ‘Facing Change: Climate Change in Mountain Areas.’ Speaking on the interaction programme, Ang Tshering Sherpa-president of Nepal Mounaineering Association (NMA), said that increased glaciers in our mountain areas are disappearing at a very fast pace because of climate change. ‘The concentration of green house gases in our atmosphere due to industrial and human activity is leading to global warming which has posed serious threats to our mountain environment,’ Sherpa added. Pushpa Thapaliya-president of GT, criticized the government of ignoring the importance of our valuable resources. ‘Mountains are not only our pride and attractions, they are part of our livelihood. But the government is not showing attentions to preserve our mountains,’ he said. He further added that our mountains would face dire consequences if the issue of climate changes in mountain is not thoroughly studied. Similarly, Tek Mahat, climate change expert from International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), said that our mountain areas are under great threats because of climate change. ‘The biggest threat will be the melting of snow which will subsequently result in the lack of fresh water. Likewise, the global warming will also invited different environmental degradation making lives at mountain areas difficult,’ Mahat added. Sushil Bista of Himalayan Expeditions urged the government to take initiatives in mitigating the risks of climate change in our mountain areas. Likewise, Sudhan Subedi-media officer at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said that the programme would help generate awareness about climate change and its consequences. President of NTMA, Hari Raj Joshi, requested the media people to generate awareness about climate change and the impacts that it would have on our mountain areas. ‘Small associations like ours have to take initiative to generate awareness about climate change because of the lackluster attitude of concerned government agencies,’ he said. Prior to the interaction programme, a hiking programme was organized from Sisneri of Lalitpur to the top of Lakuribhanjyang. The hiking was participated by media people and representatives of different oragnisations. The programme was supported by Nepal Mountaineering Association, ICIMOD, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) and Himalaya Expeditiosn Inc. Every year, December 11 is observed worldwide as International Mountains Day.

The Himalayan Times - Dragon Air resumes flights to Kathmandu , 6th Dec 2007
Hong Kong based Dragonair has relaunched its scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Kathmandu from 2nd December, 2007. The airline will fly four times a week between Hong Kong and Kathmandu. ‘This is a perfect time for us to resume our services to Kathmandu, as the market is growing,’ Tom Wright, regional general manager of Cathay Pacific for India, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, told a press conference organsied in Kathmandu on November 30.

TAAN NEWS - Tourist arrival set to cross half-million mark, 6 Dec 2007
Tourist arrival to Nepal is all set to cross half-million mark in 2007, surpassing the arrival of the year 1999 that saw 491504 visitors. According to the records of Department of Immigration, 466,506 visitors have already visited Nepal in the last 11 months. If the increasing trend continues in December, the arrival figure will cross the half-million mark, the target set while observing Visit Nepal Year 1998. Tourist arrivals via air in the month of November this year have recorded a growth of 17.6% against the arrival figure of same period last year. A total of 34,580 came to Nepal in November this year bringing in 5,173 more visitors. Although the tourist arrival from India declined, major European markets recorded impressive growth rates in November. Arrival from United Kingdom (66%), Germany (42%), France (50.6%), Italy (19.8%) and Spain (27.9%) increased remarkably, while the arrival from the SAARC countries declined because of decline in arrivals from India. Similarly, Asian markets in the likes of China (85.7%), South Korea (5.2%) and Singapore (73.7%) increased while arrivals from Japan declined by 11.7%. At present, Nepal doesn’t have direct air connection to Japan. Also growing in November were the arrivals from USA (25.7%), Canada (32%) and Australia (44.4%). In the first 11 months of 2007, a total of 330,455 visitors came to the country via air which is an increase of 28.6% against the arrival figure of first 11 months of 2006. Similarly, in the last ten months, a total of 136,051 tourists entered the country by land. The increase in tourist arrival in 2007 is contributed by the easing security situation in the country and increasing number of international airlines flying to Kathmandu. In the last one year, seven new international airlines—Korean Air, GMG Airlines, Air Arabia, China Southern, Etihad Airways, SilkAir and Dragonair—started their scheduled flights to Nepal. Similarly, another Hong Kong airline—Hong Kong Express—is planning to fly to Nepal from the last week of December. Likewise, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) had also permitted the airlines to increase their flight frequency till January 2008. With the robust increase in tourist arrivals, all leading destinations in the country are getting overwhelming numbers of visitors. Trekkers in the Everest, Annapurna and Langtang Regions have grown impressively while Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini are also getting good number of visitors. Buoyed by tourism growth, tourism enterprises have started upgrading their infrastructures and enhancing the quality of their services. Likewise, they have also started hiking their tourist handling rates.

The Himalayan Times - Musicians back after rocking Everest, 29th Oct 2007
A cancer awareness group and an international team of musicians returned from the Mount Everest area after performing what they said was the world’s highest concert on land and raising and estimated $2.5 lakh for a hospital. The “Everest Rock” concert organized by the US-based Love Hope Strength Foundation was held October 21st at 5,650 metres in the foothills of the world’s highest mountain. The group returned from the area yesterday. Six musicians from the US and Britain cancer survivor Mike Peters of the British band. The Alarm, Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats, Cy Curnin and Jamie West of the Fixx, Glen Tillbrook of the Squeeze and Nick Harper performed at the concert. “The foundation got a strong message across. By going to Everest it gave us a loud voice to show people that cancer is not a death sentence like it was,” Peters, from North Wales, said in Kathmandu today. “It was a good day for the human race,” Peters said. “There is a lot of tragedy in the world and we were trying to do something positive.” The group members trekked to their performance site. Seven were cancer survivors. The Himalayan Times

TAAN NEWS, 15th August
TAAN’S Support for flood Victim Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) provided Rs. 300,111 as relief support for the victims of floods and landslides in Nepal. Led by Mr. Narendra B.C., TAAN's President, a team of the association handed over a cheque of the amount to Mr. Prithvi Subba Gurung, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation at the latter's office at Singh Durbar on August 13, 2007. The relief amount will be deposited at the Prime Minister's Natural Calamity Relief Fund through the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), according to a press release issued by TAAN. TAAN, which is an umbrella association of the registered trekking agencies of the country, had collected the relief amount from its member agencies and other tourism entrepreneurs some days back. TAAN has extended its sincere thanks to its members and other donors for helping the association in collecting the amount for a humanitarian purpose.

The Himalayan Times - French, UK envoys say tourist spots safe, May 16, 2007
British and French Ambassadors to Nepal today said the country’s tourist destinations are absolutely safe and peaceful. The envoys were sharing their experiences of a trek to what they called the fascinating Manang and Khumbu regions with the local and foreign media at the N epal Tourism Board office. Both the envoys who had a ”delightful” experience while trekking to the mountainous region of the country, said “tourists have nothing to fear in those areas.” British envoy Keith George Bloomfield said there is “absolutely no problem of security’ in what he called was the “peaceful” Manang area where he was fascinated and enthralled by the “unbeatable combination of landscape and the Himalayas.” Bloomfield, who went on a trek along two villages, Nar and P hu in Manang, from April 8 – 17, said Manang was the best tourist destination and suggested that June and July were the best for tourist. French Ambassador, Michael Joliver who had been to the Khumbu region from April 15 – 24, also said trekking in Nepal was “quite safe”. He described the area as “beyond my expectations” and “completely safe”. He said he was fascinated by the architecture, the beautiful stupas and the houses, which he felt were welcoming people to witness the snowcapped mountain. He claimed the Khumbu region has the “best panoramic views” he had ever seen. He said he found a remarkable number of tourists from around the world in the area.

The Himalayan Times - Ancient Mural found in Mustang, May 05, 2007
A team of explorers and scholars says it has found a cave in remote northern Nepal with a spectacular Buddhist mural unseen for centuries and discovered only because a shepherd took shelter there. “The most exciting find we had was a cave that was clearly intended for religious purposes. It appears it was reserved as an assembly room for Buddhist teachings.” Team member Broughton Coburn, an environmental and cultural conservation expert, told AFP. The local shepherd led the team to the cave in the Mustang region bordering Tibet. He had sheltered in it decades earlier during a rainstorm. The cave contains a stunning, seven-metre long mural that the team believes dates from around the 14th century. “We felt that it was unusual that a wall painting as intricate and delicately executed and intact could be found for the first time in this millennia,” said Coburn, who returned to Kathmandu from the expedition earlier this week. “Initially, it appeared there around 30 or 40 of these cave complexes but now upon traveling further afield, one can easily say there are between 100 and 150 of these cave complexes, individual cave cities, said Coburn. Two world-class mountaineers assisted the team, leading it along perilous, steep routes into the caves it Upper Mustang. For Pete Athens, leading the climb into the previously unexplored territory knocked the experience of climbing Everest into the shade. “I can unequivocally say that climbing into the caves was greatly more exciting than any emotions I had on Everest,” said Athens who has reached the top of the mountain seven times. Athens and fellow climber Renan Oztruk had to invent new climbing tool to anchor the team to the poor quality crumbling rock at the cave sites. “We had to exercise extreme caution to enter the caves. We designed and made a number of prototypical tools to make climbing on high angle, poor quality rock possible, Athens said by telephone from his home in Seattle. For him, the experience was unforgettable. “Mustang’s stark beauty, arid other worldliness and opportunity for exploration render it a must visit for all explorers.” The mountaineer said.

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