A Plane Crash in Nepal

In yet another tragic accident, Agni Air crashed while flying back from Lukla airport which was closed due to bad weather. The crash site is believed to be approx 2 hours hike from Kathmandu. All passengers and crew on board are feared dead as the wreckage of the airplane, according to the eye witnesses is scattered over the hill side.

Every year mostly during the monsoon season we hear news of landslides, flooding and occasionally, plane crash. It is a know fact that due to the nature of the Nepali terrain any rescue mission becomes a daunting task for the search team. Our search and rescue team only comprises of a handful personnel from Nepal army and some from the Police force. On top of that, we are not equipped to deal with such cases of emergencies due to lack of proper preparation and planning by the concerned authorities.

Despite all the above, there seems no legislation from the government to take corrective measures to ensure accidents like this don't repeat itself. Why then do the airlines still fly under such adverse conditions?? Where is the safety criteria by the Civil Aviation? Isn't preventing incidents like this a wiser course of action than trying to fight against it. Like the old saying " prevention is better than cure" which aptly applies to a country like ours, it is time to follow these simple rules.

Knowing your own turf and the capability of your team has been a winning mantra, why then do we not take preventative methods to ensure that no more lives are lost in vain.

Responsible Adventure Trail in Nepal

For the trekking enthusiasts and adventure seekers, The Great Himalayan Trail (GHT) is set to unveil trekking routes which promise rare walks into the remote regions of the Himalayas. The launch of GHT is being planned for January – February 2011, targeting Nepal Tourism Year. The Great Himalayan Trail is an extreme trekking trail for over 162 days with more than 1, 50,000 meters of climbing and descending, a proportion sure to tempt adventurous trekkers. Australian trekker Robin Boustead completed this trek after years of research. Starting in September 2008 in Kanchenjunga and ending in July in 2009, Boustead crossed the entire length of the Nepal Himalaya.

The Great Himalayan Trail is being developed with two different routes, the High GHT and the mid GHT. Higher GHT will be above 5000 meters with more than 21 different trails for tourists willing to experience this extreme adventure while the mid hill GHT will be for all types of trekkers.

According to travel trade entrepreneurs, Nepal has tremendous potential in adventure tourism which has been identified as one of the fastest growing segments in global tourism. There has been a significant rise in young adventure tourists coming to Nepal. The rise in young tourist supplements the fact that more people are coming to Nepal for adventure tourism.

The GHT trekking route developed from the eastern border to western border of Nepal will not only provide adventure thrills for the tourist but also aims to help the local communities in this remote region. Trekking groups can make a real difference to the lives of the people that are barely above subsistence. Trekking in these regions would also mean being responsible tourist and contributing to pro-poor sustainable Tourism initiatives in the Himalayas.

Bagmati festival - Media and School Challenge

As a part of its continuous attempt to save Bagmati river and to revive its lost glory, Nepal River Conservation Trust had organized the Media/School Challenge last weekend on the Bagmati river. I was very fortunate to be a part of this mega event unlike the previous years, this time I got to witness the festival and participate in it as well.

Despite some resistance from the local people, mainly the local clubs due to certain misunderstandings from the past, the festival was a huge success and saw a grand participation of many media houses and local schools from the area.

This was also an opportune moment for many rafting companies, who otherwise are competing against one another to collaboratively work together for a greater cause. The team spirit and an extremely cohesive professional approach by the river companies is well worth applauding. This was one time when professionals from various organizations were untied towards achieving a common goal, a time for all to join hands to raise their voice and express solidarity to protecting the rivers of Nepal and conserving its habitat.

Nepal Tourism Year 2011 promoted in UK

Tourism promotion program specially focusing Nepal tourism Year 2011 was held in Wales. The program was organized by the Nepal Embassy, London in coordination with the Wales Nepali Community, Cardiff and Wales Gurkha Community. During the program, a power point presentation exhibiting Nepal’s major tourist destinations, UNESCO heritage sites, flora and fauna and cultural sites of historical importance was shown. Dignitaries attending the program included Dr Suresh C. Chalise, the Ambassador of Nepal to UK, Rt. Hon. Alan Michael JP MP, members of parliament, mayors, councilors, travel and tour promoters as well as prominent members of Nepali community based in Wales.


The Embassy of Nepal, London promoted Nepali tourism and culture at the London Mela. Hosted at Gunnersbury Park in Ealing , London Mela is regarded as the city’s biggest celebration of Asian culture and creativity. Special Nepalese highlights included Nepali cultural dances, Naumati Baja recital and display and promotion of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 at the Nepal Tent House. The embassy also gave away free air tickets to Kathmandu as prizes for the raffle draw.

A Pilgrimage Trek to Gosainkunda

Every year during the festival of Janai Purnima all Hindus visit the river banks or temples for a ritual bath. After the bath the sacred thread called the Janai is changed. Janai is worn by higher Hindu caste males across the left shoulder and tied beneath the right armpit. After passing boyhood, this thread is worn continuously as a symbol of awareness of body, speech and mind; when the knot is tied the wearer is supposed to have gained complete control over each.

During this festival, most Hindu devotees who have the time and can afford it, make a pilgrimage to Gasoinkunda, a high mountain lake north of Kathmandu regarded as sacred to Lord Shiva. A dip in this holy lake is believed to add considerable merit to the devotees.

The lake is situated at 4360 mts just south of the Langtang range of mountain. This secluded valley is also filled with nature's bounty. Here the rare red pandas lurk in dense lichen-draped rhododendron thickets, heard of blue sheep graze the alpine meadows and lammergeyers glide over glaciated valleys amidst scenery of lofty Himalayan peaks.

Although easily approached from Kathmandu, this region is far less trekked than the Annapurna or Everest areas making it all the more attractive for Nature lovers, pilgrims and trekkers alike.

Tourism Crisis Cell Formed

Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)have signed an agreement on establishing a Tourism Crisis Cell (TCC) to facilitate rescue operation of tourist in case emergency situations and to address other tourist related problems.

HRA has been actively involved in coordinating rescue operation in the mountainous areas in Nepal. HRA will now have establish and operate TCC Secretariat at its office in Kathmandu. The cell can be contacted round the clock through 4442555 and 9751044088 hunting lines.

Trekking Agencies Association, Hotel association of Nepal, Association of Travel and Tour Operators and PATA Nepal chapter are the other members of the cell.

Bagmati River Festival 2010

Adventurehimal Nepal, not lagging behind in its Corporate Social Responsibility is actively supporting Nepal River Conservation Trust (NRCT) in organizing the Annual Bagmati River Festival.

NRCT is a non profit organization with an aim to conserve the natural and cultural heritage of the rivers of Nepal through various conservation, awareness and community development activities. Enthusiastically involved in conserving Nepal's Himalayan River system, preserving Nepal's rich cultural heritage and developing an environmentally responsible river tourism industry.

The 10th Mega Annual Bagmati River Festival, also known as the festival of the 21st century aims to provide a platform for all to work cohesively towards a common goal of maintaining the integrity of Rivers of Nepal. Clean up campaign, Awareness, Bagmati Eco challenge and Water Sports is targeted to making a difference by preventing further damage and loss of natural habitat along the Himalayan Rivers.