Farm relief package likely to be delayed
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, JUN 01 - The relief package that was promised to the farmers of five Tarai districts who lost their maize crop due to bad hybrid seeds is likely to be delayed.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Coope-ratives had pledged to provide compensation to the suffering farmers in Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Parsa and Nawalparasi before the paddy-sowing season.
The government had approved a relief package worth Rs. 200 million on March 30, but it was held up due to disagreement between the Agriculture Ministry and the Finance Ministry on how it should be distributed.
"We are not sure when, but we will be able to release the package on time," said Hari Dahal, spokesperson of the Agriculture Ministry.
He added that the ministry would start work as soon as the Finance Ministry approves the budget for the relief programme.
Bijay Kumar Mallik, director general of the Department of Agriculture, said it would be good to provide the relief package to the farmers before the paddy sowing season. The Agriculture Ministry had proposed a relief package that included cash incentives, waiver of land tax and free packets of vegetable and crop seeds. After the Finance Ministry refused to provide cash as compensation, the proposal was amended and re-sent to the cabinet.
Bodh Raj Niroula, joint secretary at the Finance Ministry's Budget Division, said that they have issued a notice to the Agriculture Ministry to use its unspent budget (not exceeding Rs. 200 million) for the purpose.
"Farmers in Bara will get 80 percent compensation as production dropped by 80 percent there. They should manage the rest," Mallik said. The same formula will be applied in the other districts.
Production dropped by 80 percent in Bara, 55 percent in Rautahat, 40 percent in Sarlahi, 70 percent in Parsa and 20 percent in Nawalparasi.
As per the new proposal, Rs. 170 million has been allocated for nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, seeds and transportation, Rs. 25.6 million for vegetable seeds and Rs 1.9 million for waiver of land tax.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
‘Highest’ canyoning event
SANGAM PRASAIN
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KATHMANDU, MAY 30 - In a bid to promote Nepal as a Himalayan canyoning destination and package up with other activities with trekking, rafting, rock climbing and mountaineering, the Nepal Canyoning Association (NCA) has conducted its canyoning exploration probably at the highest altitude in the world.
According to NCA, the canyoning exploration by a Nepali team in Lhayju River (480m) at Nar Phu, Manang, in the Annapurna Himalayan region is probably the highest such altitude in the world. The site's base camp is situated at 4,660 metres above sea level, with the canyon head at 5,200 metres above sea level.
Canyoning is an extreme adventure that involves abseiling, sliding, jumping into deep pools, swimming and climbing down waterfalls on steep canyon cliffs while strapped in harness and augmented by ropes and other tools. The outfits are not complete without wet suits, helmets etc.
This exciting adventure sport is very popular all over Europe: in France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland etc. Canyoning is a rage in the USA as well as in Mexico, Canada, Cuba and Chili. In Africa, it is possible to practice canyoning in Morocco, Réunion Island, Madagascar and Océanie. "The move is aimed at supporting Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 and International Canyon Rendezvous (ICR) 2011 schedule in Nepal," the NCA said.
With the interests and tastes of tourists changing and the need to be competitive in the international market to catch up with international tourism trends, there is a need for timely product diversification.
Canyoning has the potential to address the needs of Nepal's tourists because of the country's stunning beauty embedded with mountainous topography, widely varied and rich natural as well as cultural attractions, the NCA said.
SANGAM PRASAIN
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KATHMANDU, MAY 30 - In a bid to promote Nepal as a Himalayan canyoning destination and package up with other activities with trekking, rafting, rock climbing and mountaineering, the Nepal Canyoning Association (NCA) has conducted its canyoning exploration probably at the highest altitude in the world.
According to NCA, the canyoning exploration by a Nepali team in Lhayju River (480m) at Nar Phu, Manang, in the Annapurna Himalayan region is probably the highest such altitude in the world. The site's base camp is situated at 4,660 metres above sea level, with the canyon head at 5,200 metres above sea level.
Canyoning is an extreme adventure that involves abseiling, sliding, jumping into deep pools, swimming and climbing down waterfalls on steep canyon cliffs while strapped in harness and augmented by ropes and other tools. The outfits are not complete without wet suits, helmets etc.
This exciting adventure sport is very popular all over Europe: in France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland etc. Canyoning is a rage in the USA as well as in Mexico, Canada, Cuba and Chili. In Africa, it is possible to practice canyoning in Morocco, Réunion Island, Madagascar and Océanie. "The move is aimed at supporting Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011 and International Canyon Rendezvous (ICR) 2011 schedule in Nepal," the NCA said.
With the interests and tastes of tourists changing and the need to be competitive in the international market to catch up with international tourism trends, there is a need for timely product diversification.
Canyoning has the potential to address the needs of Nepal's tourists because of the country's stunning beauty embedded with mountainous topography, widely varied and rich natural as well as cultural attractions, the NCA said.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Unity Air not to get flight permit
SANGAM PRASAIN
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KATHMANDU, MAY 27 - The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has said the air operator certificate (AOC) would not be issued to the Unity Air, run by Unity Life International, a network marketing which the government banned recently.
The airline has been issued the license to operate both domestic and international flights. The airline had planned to purchase a 150-seater jet for Rs. 6 billion for international flight.
On March 23, Unity Air, a new player in the aviation sector, was permitted international operation license by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA). It acquired the domestic license on October.
In the first phase, the airline had targeted Doha and Dubai, which are major Nepali labour markets. It had also planned to operate a daily flight in the Kathmandu-Delhi sector.
In the second phase, Unity Air had a plan to fly Kathmandu-Delhi, Kathmandu-Doha, Kathmandu-Dubai and Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur by the end of 2010.
After the finance ministry directed its subordinate bodies to suspend all bank accounts in the name of the company and stop sale of all fixed assets including vehicle in the name of the company, the CAAN also initiated the move of not issuing the AOC to the airline.
"In this state, we will not issue the AOC," said Ram Prasad Neupane, director general of CAAN.
As per the civil aviation regulations, Unity Air should put up a security bond of Rs. 5 million and have a paid-up capital of Rs. 500 million to get the AOC. The terms of reference document costs Rs. 50,000.
On the domestic side, the airline had paid-up capital of Rs. 150 million and bank guarantee of Rs. 1 million.
Similarly, an airline operating on the international route needs to pay Rs 500,000 per route of operation as royalty. For domestic route, it has to pay Rs 5,000 per STOL (short take-off and landing) and Rs. 10,000 for hub airport route.
An airline that has fulfilled the terms of reference to go international must obtain an air operator certificate within six months and start flights within a year of acquiring it.
The airline loses the security amount, bank guarantee fund and license if it does not acquire the AOC within six months, said Birendra Kumar Singh, under secretary at the civil aviation ministry.
Singh said the finance ministry had not issued any letter to scrap the license so far. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, has sought the company's business plan submitted to the MoTCA.
"We don't have the authority to scrap the license since there are other bodies above us to take action," he said.
SANGAM PRASAIN
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KATHMANDU, MAY 27 - The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has said the air operator certificate (AOC) would not be issued to the Unity Air, run by Unity Life International, a network marketing which the government banned recently.
The airline has been issued the license to operate both domestic and international flights. The airline had planned to purchase a 150-seater jet for Rs. 6 billion for international flight.
On March 23, Unity Air, a new player in the aviation sector, was permitted international operation license by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA). It acquired the domestic license on October.
In the first phase, the airline had targeted Doha and Dubai, which are major Nepali labour markets. It had also planned to operate a daily flight in the Kathmandu-Delhi sector.
In the second phase, Unity Air had a plan to fly Kathmandu-Delhi, Kathmandu-Doha, Kathmandu-Dubai and Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur by the end of 2010.
After the finance ministry directed its subordinate bodies to suspend all bank accounts in the name of the company and stop sale of all fixed assets including vehicle in the name of the company, the CAAN also initiated the move of not issuing the AOC to the airline.
"In this state, we will not issue the AOC," said Ram Prasad Neupane, director general of CAAN.
As per the civil aviation regulations, Unity Air should put up a security bond of Rs. 5 million and have a paid-up capital of Rs. 500 million to get the AOC. The terms of reference document costs Rs. 50,000.
On the domestic side, the airline had paid-up capital of Rs. 150 million and bank guarantee of Rs. 1 million.
Similarly, an airline operating on the international route needs to pay Rs 500,000 per route of operation as royalty. For domestic route, it has to pay Rs 5,000 per STOL (short take-off and landing) and Rs. 10,000 for hub airport route.
An airline that has fulfilled the terms of reference to go international must obtain an air operator certificate within six months and start flights within a year of acquiring it.
The airline loses the security amount, bank guarantee fund and license if it does not acquire the AOC within six months, said Birendra Kumar Singh, under secretary at the civil aviation ministry.
Singh said the finance ministry had not issued any letter to scrap the license so far. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, has sought the company's business plan submitted to the MoTCA.
"We don't have the authority to scrap the license since there are other bodies above us to take action," he said.
347 summit Everest in spring
SANGAM PRASAIN
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KATHMANDU, MAY 28 - The spring mountaineering season ended on May 25 with 347 climbers making it to the top of the world's highest peak. Among the summiteers, 157 are foreigners and 190 Nepalis, said Tilak Pandey, a government liaison officer.
According to Pandey, nine Sherpas and a foreigner ascended Everest on May 5 to fix ropes. On May 17, 93 climbers including 41 foreigners and 52 Nepalis made it to the summit. On the same day, Nepali world cyclist Pushkar Shah climbed Everest.
On May 22, Appa Sherpa, climbing with the Eco Everest Expedition, broke his own world record and reached the top of the world's highest mountain for the 20th time. Arjun Vajpai, the youngest Indian Everester, also made his successful ascent on that day.
May 23 saw 132 climbers including 62 foreigners and 70 Sherpas reaching the top.
On May 24, there were 26 summiteers (13 foreigners and 13 Nepalis); and on the last day of the season on May 25, 18 mountaineers reached the summit.
Chewang Nima Sherpa, in a bid to equal Appa Sherpa's record, made two ascents of Everest during the spring season just ended. He has 19 Everest ascents under his belt.
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation received applications from 26 expeditions to climb Everest during the spring season compared to 27 last year. Altogether, 245 mountaineers receive permits to ascend Everest.
The government has collected Rs. 220 million in mountaineering royalty during this spring season. The royalty for Everest ranges from US$ 25,000 to US$ 50,000 per expedition depending on the number of members (which should not exceed 15) and the route.
According to government statistics, 3,128 mountaineers have summitted Everest till date. This season, the 2010 IMG Everest Expedition-I was the highest royalty-paying agency. It paid Rs 10.08 million for 15 Everest expedition members. The International Everest Expedition 2010 was the second highest royalty payer with Rs 10.07 million for 15 summiteers.
SANGAM PRASAIN
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KATHMANDU, MAY 28 - The spring mountaineering season ended on May 25 with 347 climbers making it to the top of the world's highest peak. Among the summiteers, 157 are foreigners and 190 Nepalis, said Tilak Pandey, a government liaison officer.
According to Pandey, nine Sherpas and a foreigner ascended Everest on May 5 to fix ropes. On May 17, 93 climbers including 41 foreigners and 52 Nepalis made it to the summit. On the same day, Nepali world cyclist Pushkar Shah climbed Everest.
On May 22, Appa Sherpa, climbing with the Eco Everest Expedition, broke his own world record and reached the top of the world's highest mountain for the 20th time. Arjun Vajpai, the youngest Indian Everester, also made his successful ascent on that day.
May 23 saw 132 climbers including 62 foreigners and 70 Sherpas reaching the top.
On May 24, there were 26 summiteers (13 foreigners and 13 Nepalis); and on the last day of the season on May 25, 18 mountaineers reached the summit.
Chewang Nima Sherpa, in a bid to equal Appa Sherpa's record, made two ascents of Everest during the spring season just ended. He has 19 Everest ascents under his belt.
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation received applications from 26 expeditions to climb Everest during the spring season compared to 27 last year. Altogether, 245 mountaineers receive permits to ascend Everest.
The government has collected Rs. 220 million in mountaineering royalty during this spring season. The royalty for Everest ranges from US$ 25,000 to US$ 50,000 per expedition depending on the number of members (which should not exceed 15) and the route.
According to government statistics, 3,128 mountaineers have summitted Everest till date. This season, the 2010 IMG Everest Expedition-I was the highest royalty-paying agency. It paid Rs 10.08 million for 15 Everest expedition members. The International Everest Expedition 2010 was the second highest royalty payer with Rs 10.07 million for 15 summiteers.
Taskforce suggests turning NAC into public company
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 26
A taskforce formed to study the procedures to convert Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) into a company has suggested that it be converted into a public limited company under the public-private-partnership model.
The taskforce submitted its report to the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarat Singh Bhandari on Wednesday. Minister Bhandari said that the ministry was committed to implementing the recommendations in the report. "NAC would be viable if it was converted into a company," said Bhandari.
The government on Jan. 11 had formed a taskforce under the coordination of Murari Bahadur Karki, under secretary at the Tourism Ministry. However, the PPP model has been proposed by the government and other stakeholders several times in the past.
The taskforce has recommended that the new company be named Nepal Airlines Corporation Limited (NACL). It has recommended that the authorized capital and issued capital of the company be Rs. 30 billion and Rs. 28 billion respectively. It has suggested reducing the government's stake in the airline. According to the report, after converting NAC into a company, the stake of strategic partners will be 51 percent and the government's stake will be 49 percent.
Of the share allotted to the government, the taskforce has suggested that 10 percent be sold to tourism entrepreneurs, 5 percent to NAC staff and 15 percent to the general public. The remaining 19 percent should be kept by the government, said the taskforce.
The report has suggested that NAC be allowed to exercise the rights of the national flag carrier and ground handling authority even after its conversion into a company. The existing salaries, allowances and other facilities will remain unchanged, and the jobs of all the staff must be guaranteed, says the report.
The report has said that the amount of the investment will not be the decisive factor while choosing strategic partners. Experience in international aviation and financial and management capacity should also be taken into consideration when selecting strategic partners, states the report.
The Tourism Ministry will forward the report to the Ministry of Finance for further assessment. Meanwhile, NAC's overall assets have been evaluated at Rs. 16.80 billion. The assets evaluation report has valued the lands and buildings owned by NAC at Rs. 12 billion.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 26
A taskforce formed to study the procedures to convert Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) into a company has suggested that it be converted into a public limited company under the public-private-partnership model.
The taskforce submitted its report to the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Sarat Singh Bhandari on Wednesday. Minister Bhandari said that the ministry was committed to implementing the recommendations in the report. "NAC would be viable if it was converted into a company," said Bhandari.
The government on Jan. 11 had formed a taskforce under the coordination of Murari Bahadur Karki, under secretary at the Tourism Ministry. However, the PPP model has been proposed by the government and other stakeholders several times in the past.
The taskforce has recommended that the new company be named Nepal Airlines Corporation Limited (NACL). It has recommended that the authorized capital and issued capital of the company be Rs. 30 billion and Rs. 28 billion respectively. It has suggested reducing the government's stake in the airline. According to the report, after converting NAC into a company, the stake of strategic partners will be 51 percent and the government's stake will be 49 percent.
Of the share allotted to the government, the taskforce has suggested that 10 percent be sold to tourism entrepreneurs, 5 percent to NAC staff and 15 percent to the general public. The remaining 19 percent should be kept by the government, said the taskforce.
The report has suggested that NAC be allowed to exercise the rights of the national flag carrier and ground handling authority even after its conversion into a company. The existing salaries, allowances and other facilities will remain unchanged, and the jobs of all the staff must be guaranteed, says the report.
The report has said that the amount of the investment will not be the decisive factor while choosing strategic partners. Experience in international aviation and financial and management capacity should also be taken into consideration when selecting strategic partners, states the report.
The Tourism Ministry will forward the report to the Ministry of Finance for further assessment. Meanwhile, NAC's overall assets have been evaluated at Rs. 16.80 billion. The assets evaluation report has valued the lands and buildings owned by NAC at Rs. 12 billion.
Three Star hotels settles disputes
Sangam Prasain
KATHMANDU, DEC 04, 2009- Maoist-affiliated hotel workers have settled their disputes with the management of three leading five-star hotels.
All Nepal Hotels and Restaurant Workers' Union (ANHRWU) and the management of The Yak & Yeti, Hyatt Regency and Del' Annapurna on Thursday agreed to increase the salaries of the workers on a flat rate.
According to ANHRWU general secretary Prakash Shrestha, Hotel Del' Annapurna has agreed to increase Rs. 1200, while, Hyatt Regency and Yak and Yeti agreed to increase Rs. 1300 in the workers' existing salaries.
The ANHRWU was demanding a 40 percent increase in salary and a 100 percent increase in dearness allowances. "We are holding discussions with the management of the Radisson Hotel," said Shrestha.
"We hope to reach a settlement with Hotel Malla, Hotel Everest and Hotel Dwarika's by Sunday," he added. B.K Shrestha, managing director at the Radisson Hotel informed that discussion was in progress.
According to Shrestha of ANHRWU, the management of the five-star hotels and the respective unions initiated the process to solve the dispute after Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) stepped aside from the issue. Maoist-affiliated ANHRWU began agitation in three five-star hotels-Radisson, Hyatt Regency and Yak and Yeti-two weeks ago.
ANHRWU has also given an ultimatum to the hotels in Chitwan, Pokhara and Nagarkot to meet their demands.
Madhav Om Shrestha, general secretary of HAN said that the union had been holding talks with the management of different hotels since Wednesday.
There are 65,000 workers working in different hotels and restaurants across the country directly and indirectly and there are 1300 to 1400 restaurants in the Kathmandu Valley.
Sangam Prasain
KATHMANDU, DEC 04, 2009- Maoist-affiliated hotel workers have settled their disputes with the management of three leading five-star hotels.
All Nepal Hotels and Restaurant Workers' Union (ANHRWU) and the management of The Yak & Yeti, Hyatt Regency and Del' Annapurna on Thursday agreed to increase the salaries of the workers on a flat rate.
According to ANHRWU general secretary Prakash Shrestha, Hotel Del' Annapurna has agreed to increase Rs. 1200, while, Hyatt Regency and Yak and Yeti agreed to increase Rs. 1300 in the workers' existing salaries.
The ANHRWU was demanding a 40 percent increase in salary and a 100 percent increase in dearness allowances. "We are holding discussions with the management of the Radisson Hotel," said Shrestha.
"We hope to reach a settlement with Hotel Malla, Hotel Everest and Hotel Dwarika's by Sunday," he added. B.K Shrestha, managing director at the Radisson Hotel informed that discussion was in progress.
According to Shrestha of ANHRWU, the management of the five-star hotels and the respective unions initiated the process to solve the dispute after Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) stepped aside from the issue. Maoist-affiliated ANHRWU began agitation in three five-star hotels-Radisson, Hyatt Regency and Yak and Yeti-two weeks ago.
ANHRWU has also given an ultimatum to the hotels in Chitwan, Pokhara and Nagarkot to meet their demands.
Madhav Om Shrestha, general secretary of HAN said that the union had been holding talks with the management of different hotels since Wednesday.
There are 65,000 workers working in different hotels and restaurants across the country directly and indirectly and there are 1300 to 1400 restaurants in the Kathmandu Valley.
Reds’ donation drive has pvt sector quaking
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, APR 26 -
The business community is tearing its hair, quaking in its boots and bemoaning the state of afffairs, severally, over the forcible donation drive launched by the UCPN (Maoist). For the entrepreneurs, it is a nightmare that they feel they will never wake up from.
Maoist cadres on Monday vandalised the office of Hulas Steel at Kantipath after its parent organisation Golchha Group refused to entertain their demand for a huge sum of money. “They were demanding Rs. 5 million from us,” said Diwakar Golchha, a Constituent Assembly (CA) member and industrialist. According to Golchha, two CA members representing the Maoists were also involved in the vandalism but he did not give their names. He said that his organisation has reported the incident to the police.
This is not an isolated case. Entrepreneurs have complained that the Maoist drive is rampant in Kathmandu, Bhairahawa, Butwal, Narayangadh, Hetauda, Birgunj and Biratnagar as well as other places.
President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Kush Kumar Joshi said the business community is terrorised by the forced nature of the donation drive. According to FNCCI sources, the Maoists are demanding amounts ranging from Rs. 50,000 to more than Rs. 1 million from entrepreneurs.
The Maoists have also asked the business community to manage food, shelter and clothes for the Maoists activists who have come to the capital to participate in the May 1 mass protest.
However, the Maoists denied allegations of extortion saying that it is just a rumour being spread to defame them. Senior Maoist leader Janardan Sharma said Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has requested the business community to provide donation voluntarily.
Hoteliers also have complained that they are being forced to pay above Rs. 200,000 for five-star hotels and above Rs. 50,000 for two-star hotels. According to businessmen, owners of big shops in the capital have been told to cough up above Rs. 100,000 each.
They have complained to the police that the Maoists have ordered them verbally and in writing to manage food and shelter for the Red cadres. Many hoteliers in Kathmandu Valley, Dhulikhel and Nagarkot have received such letters. Ongoing housing projects have also been told to provide shelter to Maoist cadres.
The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has requested all concerned not to impose bandas and strikes.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, APR 26 -
The business community is tearing its hair, quaking in its boots and bemoaning the state of afffairs, severally, over the forcible donation drive launched by the UCPN (Maoist). For the entrepreneurs, it is a nightmare that they feel they will never wake up from.
Maoist cadres on Monday vandalised the office of Hulas Steel at Kantipath after its parent organisation Golchha Group refused to entertain their demand for a huge sum of money. “They were demanding Rs. 5 million from us,” said Diwakar Golchha, a Constituent Assembly (CA) member and industrialist. According to Golchha, two CA members representing the Maoists were also involved in the vandalism but he did not give their names. He said that his organisation has reported the incident to the police.
This is not an isolated case. Entrepreneurs have complained that the Maoist drive is rampant in Kathmandu, Bhairahawa, Butwal, Narayangadh, Hetauda, Birgunj and Biratnagar as well as other places.
President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Kush Kumar Joshi said the business community is terrorised by the forced nature of the donation drive. According to FNCCI sources, the Maoists are demanding amounts ranging from Rs. 50,000 to more than Rs. 1 million from entrepreneurs.
The Maoists have also asked the business community to manage food, shelter and clothes for the Maoists activists who have come to the capital to participate in the May 1 mass protest.
However, the Maoists denied allegations of extortion saying that it is just a rumour being spread to defame them. Senior Maoist leader Janardan Sharma said Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has requested the business community to provide donation voluntarily.
Hoteliers also have complained that they are being forced to pay above Rs. 200,000 for five-star hotels and above Rs. 50,000 for two-star hotels. According to businessmen, owners of big shops in the capital have been told to cough up above Rs. 100,000 each.
They have complained to the police that the Maoists have ordered them verbally and in writing to manage food and shelter for the Red cadres. Many hoteliers in Kathmandu Valley, Dhulikhel and Nagarkot have received such letters. Ongoing housing projects have also been told to provide shelter to Maoist cadres.
The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has requested all concerned not to impose bandas and strikes.
Hotels’ kitchen fires burning low
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 04 -
Star-hotels across the Capital are facing shortage of perishable goods like vegetables, dairy products and meat items due to the indefinite general strike called by the UCPN (Maoist).
Since three consecutive days, the hospitality sector which was already affected by mass cancellation of bookings made earlier by tourists coupled with the Maoists’ donation drive is now suffering from a shortage of victuals.
According to hoteliers, there is adequate food grains and other items in stock for more than four months and there is little chance of such items falling short. It is the shortage of greens, meat and dairy products that has landed them in trouble.
Five-star hotels that were normally consuming over 10-20 kgs (single vegetable items) are now facing a severe shortage since Tuesday.
“We are having a tough time procuring vegetables and meat,” said Krishna Shrestha, purchase manager of Hotel Everest, adding that there was hardly 3-4 kgs each of vegetable items at the hotel.
According to him, the pitiful quantity has to suffice to feed the 350 staff apart from the guests staying at the hotel. “Due to the shortage of dairy items and meat, three restaurants inside the hotel have already been downed their shutters,” he said.
He said that the hotel used to procure vegetables from Kalimati market. “However, the strike over three consecutive days has forced us to manage foodstuff in the evenings from local vendors and markets near the hotel,” he said.
The hospitality sector and the common are however, getting some respite as the Maoists have allowed markets to open from 6 pm to 8 pm everyday for purchasing essential supplies. However, essential supplies, particularly perishable goods, are in short supply due to the lack of means of transportation.
“We are running out of stock of fresh vegetables and meat items,” said Chudamani Sunwar, a cook at Hotel Shankar, Lazimpart. He said that the hotel had stocked fresh vegetables and meat items for three days and all the stock has been exhausted.
The hotel usually consumes over 80 kgs of vegetables (varying according to customers) each day. The consumption of meat and meat related items was 40-45 kgs each day before the strike. He said that the hotel management is managing the supply of vegetables through itinerant vendors and porters.
Murari Biyala of Grand Hotel, Tahachal, said the hotel used to purchase vegetables worth Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 daily but now the purchase has plunged to Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 each day. “Unavailability of vegetables has worsened the situation,” he said.
He further said that the hotel was managing to supply some common vegetables but there was a shortage of expensive vegetables like as mushroom, beetroot, broccoli, among others.
Madhav Om Shrestha, executive director of Hotel Association of Nepal, said tourists putting up in different hotels in the Capital are anxious to leave the country at the earliest. On the other hand, the number of arrivals has started dropping.
Vegetable markets are mostly closed and within the given time by the Maoist to open, they provide only a few vegetables. This has also increased the prices of essential supplies.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 04 -
Star-hotels across the Capital are facing shortage of perishable goods like vegetables, dairy products and meat items due to the indefinite general strike called by the UCPN (Maoist).
Since three consecutive days, the hospitality sector which was already affected by mass cancellation of bookings made earlier by tourists coupled with the Maoists’ donation drive is now suffering from a shortage of victuals.
According to hoteliers, there is adequate food grains and other items in stock for more than four months and there is little chance of such items falling short. It is the shortage of greens, meat and dairy products that has landed them in trouble.
Five-star hotels that were normally consuming over 10-20 kgs (single vegetable items) are now facing a severe shortage since Tuesday.
“We are having a tough time procuring vegetables and meat,” said Krishna Shrestha, purchase manager of Hotel Everest, adding that there was hardly 3-4 kgs each of vegetable items at the hotel.
According to him, the pitiful quantity has to suffice to feed the 350 staff apart from the guests staying at the hotel. “Due to the shortage of dairy items and meat, three restaurants inside the hotel have already been downed their shutters,” he said.
He said that the hotel used to procure vegetables from Kalimati market. “However, the strike over three consecutive days has forced us to manage foodstuff in the evenings from local vendors and markets near the hotel,” he said.
The hospitality sector and the common are however, getting some respite as the Maoists have allowed markets to open from 6 pm to 8 pm everyday for purchasing essential supplies. However, essential supplies, particularly perishable goods, are in short supply due to the lack of means of transportation.
“We are running out of stock of fresh vegetables and meat items,” said Chudamani Sunwar, a cook at Hotel Shankar, Lazimpart. He said that the hotel had stocked fresh vegetables and meat items for three days and all the stock has been exhausted.
The hotel usually consumes over 80 kgs of vegetables (varying according to customers) each day. The consumption of meat and meat related items was 40-45 kgs each day before the strike. He said that the hotel management is managing the supply of vegetables through itinerant vendors and porters.
Murari Biyala of Grand Hotel, Tahachal, said the hotel used to purchase vegetables worth Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 daily but now the purchase has plunged to Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 each day. “Unavailability of vegetables has worsened the situation,” he said.
He further said that the hotel was managing to supply some common vegetables but there was a shortage of expensive vegetables like as mushroom, beetroot, broccoli, among others.
Madhav Om Shrestha, executive director of Hotel Association of Nepal, said tourists putting up in different hotels in the Capital are anxious to leave the country at the earliest. On the other hand, the number of arrivals has started dropping.
Vegetable markets are mostly closed and within the given time by the Maoist to open, they provide only a few vegetables. This has also increased the prices of essential supplies.
Maoist strike hits domestic airlines
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 04 - The nationwide indefinite strike called by the UCPN (Maoist) has compelled domestic airlines to cut down the number of regular flights across the country since two days. Airlines officials said that they were compelled to cut the number of regular flights by over 40 percent due to low passenger bookings. If the strike prolongs, regular flight movement may reduce by over 60 to 70 percent, different airlines officials said. According to them, the cancellation of a single flight results in the loss of at least Rs 100,000. They said the lingering strike may compel their companies to cut more of the regular flights. Buddha Air said that passenger movement had dropped to 540 from the usual 1,500 each day. "We have reduced our regular flight operations by more than 50 percent," said Rupesh Joshi, marketing manager of Buddha Air. According to him, Pokhara and Biratnagar sector flights have been reduced to a single flight per day from the regular four per day. Similarly, Agni Air has totally stopped the Kathmandu-Biratnagar sector flight on Monday. There were four daily flights in the sector. "On Sunday, there was a single flight in the sector and we have decided to operate one aircraft in Biratnagar on Tuesday," said Pramod Pandey, marketing manager of Agni Air. According to him, regular flights in Bhairahawa and Bhadrapur have been reduced to just one per day. Earlier, the airline was operating three regular flights in each sector. Pandey said that on Tuesday they have planned two flights against the regular four flights. However, flights in Lukla and Jomsom have not been affected. The airline is operating five regular flights in Lukla and three in Jomsom. He said that there was some tourist movement in Lukla and Jomsom, and as a result the airline remained unaffected. "We are bearing a 40 percent loss daily compared to what we used to collect when the fare collection was normal," Pandey said. Yeti Airlines has reduced its regular flights by 50 percent due to low passenger bookings in different sector. The airline has also merged its Kathmandu-Dhangadi sector flights with its Nepalgunj flight. Binay Shakya, manager of Yeti Airlines, said they were compelled to reduce a dozen flights to two flights in Pokhara, three flights in Bhadrapur and two in Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa, respectively, on Sunday. Guna Airlines also has cut three flights in the Kathmandu-Pokhara sector from its regular five flights. Prajwol Thapa, marketing manager of Guna Airlines, said flights in the Kathmandu-Biratnagar sector were totally cancelled on Sunday. The airline used to operate two regular flights in the sector. "However, flights scheduled in Simra remain unaffected," he said.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 04 - The nationwide indefinite strike called by the UCPN (Maoist) has compelled domestic airlines to cut down the number of regular flights across the country since two days. Airlines officials said that they were compelled to cut the number of regular flights by over 40 percent due to low passenger bookings. If the strike prolongs, regular flight movement may reduce by over 60 to 70 percent, different airlines officials said. According to them, the cancellation of a single flight results in the loss of at least Rs 100,000. They said the lingering strike may compel their companies to cut more of the regular flights. Buddha Air said that passenger movement had dropped to 540 from the usual 1,500 each day. "We have reduced our regular flight operations by more than 50 percent," said Rupesh Joshi, marketing manager of Buddha Air. According to him, Pokhara and Biratnagar sector flights have been reduced to a single flight per day from the regular four per day. Similarly, Agni Air has totally stopped the Kathmandu-Biratnagar sector flight on Monday. There were four daily flights in the sector. "On Sunday, there was a single flight in the sector and we have decided to operate one aircraft in Biratnagar on Tuesday," said Pramod Pandey, marketing manager of Agni Air. According to him, regular flights in Bhairahawa and Bhadrapur have been reduced to just one per day. Earlier, the airline was operating three regular flights in each sector. Pandey said that on Tuesday they have planned two flights against the regular four flights. However, flights in Lukla and Jomsom have not been affected. The airline is operating five regular flights in Lukla and three in Jomsom. He said that there was some tourist movement in Lukla and Jomsom, and as a result the airline remained unaffected. "We are bearing a 40 percent loss daily compared to what we used to collect when the fare collection was normal," Pandey said. Yeti Airlines has reduced its regular flights by 50 percent due to low passenger bookings in different sector. The airline has also merged its Kathmandu-Dhangadi sector flights with its Nepalgunj flight. Binay Shakya, manager of Yeti Airlines, said they were compelled to reduce a dozen flights to two flights in Pokhara, three flights in Bhadrapur and two in Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa, respectively, on Sunday. Guna Airlines also has cut three flights in the Kathmandu-Pokhara sector from its regular five flights. Prajwol Thapa, marketing manager of Guna Airlines, said flights in the Kathmandu-Biratnagar sector were totally cancelled on Sunday. The airline used to operate two regular flights in the sector. "However, flights scheduled in Simra remain unaffected," he said.
Donation drive up in travel sector
SANGAM PRASAIN
APR 25 - The UCPN (Maoist) has intensified its donation drive at different hotels, restaurants and travel trade organisations in the name of collecting funds for putting together a major show of public protest in the Capital on May 1. The party has declared it will bring in thousands of people to the Capital to mount pressure on the government to quit. The Maoists have mobilised their trade union, All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union (ANHRWU) for the donation drive as May 1 also happens to be International Workers' Day. On Saturday, ANHWRU began a donation campaign at Thamel, the tourist hotspot in Kathmandu Valley. "They raised money ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000 from each tourism-related agency," said Jyoti Adhikari, past president of Travel Agents' Association of Nepal (TAAN). "But, the Maoists did not pressurize anyone to pay the donation," said Adhikari, who is himself a Maoist sympathizer. Sources said that the Maoist cadres have sought donations ranging from Rs 10,000 to 200,000 from different hotels and travel agencies. Hoteliers said the union is demanding donation ranging from Rs 150,000 to Rs 200,000 from each five star hotel this year. Last year, the Maoists had sought Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 from them. However, they have been providing a certain amount of money to workers to celebrate Worker's Day every year. Meanwhile, the union's demands are increasing with the passage of each year. This time, they are demanding Rs 20,000 from the two-star hotels. The amount demanded last year was Rs. 15,000. Hotel sources said the Maoist union is also demanding Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 from each non-star hotel. HAN had held a meeting with the Maoist union on Friday on the issue of the donation campaign. "We requested them not to bother us with calls for donation," said a hotelier. Representatives of different hotels at the meeting asked the union not to make extra demands saying they were anyways ready to help them in the purpose of marking Workers' Day. During the meeting with the business community at the Maoist headquarters, the party leadership urged the community to support the Maoist cause by giving donations to facilitate the major showdown scheduled for May 1. Workers’ assurance KATHMANDU: The Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union (ANHRWU) said that work in hotels and restaurants would be partially affected on International Workers' Day on May 1 as workers will go for planned agitation. "Over 24,000 hotels and restaurant workers along with workers from other sectors will march at Tundhikhel that day," said Prakash Shrestha, general secretary of ANHRWU. Madhav Om Shrestha, executive director of Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), said that the workers have assured not to hamper hotel services that day.
SANGAM PRASAIN
APR 25 - The UCPN (Maoist) has intensified its donation drive at different hotels, restaurants and travel trade organisations in the name of collecting funds for putting together a major show of public protest in the Capital on May 1. The party has declared it will bring in thousands of people to the Capital to mount pressure on the government to quit. The Maoists have mobilised their trade union, All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union (ANHRWU) for the donation drive as May 1 also happens to be International Workers' Day. On Saturday, ANHWRU began a donation campaign at Thamel, the tourist hotspot in Kathmandu Valley. "They raised money ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000 from each tourism-related agency," said Jyoti Adhikari, past president of Travel Agents' Association of Nepal (TAAN). "But, the Maoists did not pressurize anyone to pay the donation," said Adhikari, who is himself a Maoist sympathizer. Sources said that the Maoist cadres have sought donations ranging from Rs 10,000 to 200,000 from different hotels and travel agencies. Hoteliers said the union is demanding donation ranging from Rs 150,000 to Rs 200,000 from each five star hotel this year. Last year, the Maoists had sought Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 from them. However, they have been providing a certain amount of money to workers to celebrate Worker's Day every year. Meanwhile, the union's demands are increasing with the passage of each year. This time, they are demanding Rs 20,000 from the two-star hotels. The amount demanded last year was Rs. 15,000. Hotel sources said the Maoist union is also demanding Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 from each non-star hotel. HAN had held a meeting with the Maoist union on Friday on the issue of the donation campaign. "We requested them not to bother us with calls for donation," said a hotelier. Representatives of different hotels at the meeting asked the union not to make extra demands saying they were anyways ready to help them in the purpose of marking Workers' Day. During the meeting with the business community at the Maoist headquarters, the party leadership urged the community to support the Maoist cause by giving donations to facilitate the major showdown scheduled for May 1. Workers’ assurance KATHMANDU: The Maoist-affiliated All Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union (ANHRWU) said that work in hotels and restaurants would be partially affected on International Workers' Day on May 1 as workers will go for planned agitation. "Over 24,000 hotels and restaurant workers along with workers from other sectors will march at Tundhikhel that day," said Prakash Shrestha, general secretary of ANHRWU. Madhav Om Shrestha, executive director of Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN), said that the workers have assured not to hamper hotel services that day.
MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS Clarion call for ensuring workers’ rights
SANGAM PRASAIN
MAY 02 - Various political party affiliated workers' union on Saturday celebrated 121st International Workers' Day (May Day) chanting slogans and staging rallies to secure workers' rights and privileges. Seven major trade unions affiliated to various political parties including the Confederation of Nepalese Professionals organized different public functions and took out rallies in the capital city at different intervals. During the rallies, all workers' unions unilaterally demanded the government to secure the rights of oppressed workers and to implement the labor act. "All trade union leaders have sought a constitutional guarantee for the rights of workers when the country gets a new constitution," said Achyut Raj Pandey, general secretary of Nepal Trade Union Congress Independent (NTUC-I). He said the May Day programme was organized across the country. There were around 3,000 to 4,000 workers participating the programme addressed by senior NTUC-I leaders. "This year, our voice was raised to establish social security for social justice to support sound industrial relations system and activate the Labour Commission," he said. Addressing the NTUC-I gathering, Acting President of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala said workers' movements have brought great changes in the world. He said that his party was committed to protect democracy, the rule of law, press freedom, professional welfare of workers and judicial freedom. General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GFONT) also organized a morning rally on May Day. Bishnu Rimal, President of GFONT said their top political leaders addressed the programme. "Our agendas were focused on the effective implementation of Social Security Fund (SSF)," he said. He said that the SSF should also incorporate the government and the business entrepreneurs. Under the SSF, the employees are entitled to pay 1 percent of their total income. However, the government and the business entrepreneurs are not entitled to the provision. "If the government and the businessmen are incorporated in the SSF with more than 2 percent contribution of their earnings it will be a comprehensive social security system under which workers' rights can be ensured as part of social security under the Labour Act and Rules. George Mavrikos, general secretary of World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and a member of the Greece Parliament, who is here to take part in the May Day function, said Nepal's trade union movement is grappling with unemployment that is greatly increasing poverty. He pointed out that inflation on the other hand is hitting hard the people in South Asia. He said South Asian countries need to increase spending on productive sectors to address the ongoing employment problem that is growing at an alarming rate. "The Ministry is committed to ensure the trade union rights of workers and make a congenial environment between workers and owners," said Labour Minister Mohammed Aftab Alam. "The country's overall economic development hinges on strengthening mutual relations between the workers and the owners," said Surendra Bir Malakar, president, Nepal Chambers of Commerce. The labour movement in Nepal began on March 4, 1947 in Biratnagar against the hereditary Rana rule for the establishment of democracy and advancement of workers' rights. In 1960, with the dissolution of multiparty democracy in Nepal, trade unions were banned along with political parties for almost 30 years under the Panchayat system. With the overthrow of Panchayat rule in 1990 following a popular movement for the restoration of democracy, freedom of expression and organization became a part of national life.
SANGAM PRASAIN
MAY 02 - Various political party affiliated workers' union on Saturday celebrated 121st International Workers' Day (May Day) chanting slogans and staging rallies to secure workers' rights and privileges. Seven major trade unions affiliated to various political parties including the Confederation of Nepalese Professionals organized different public functions and took out rallies in the capital city at different intervals. During the rallies, all workers' unions unilaterally demanded the government to secure the rights of oppressed workers and to implement the labor act. "All trade union leaders have sought a constitutional guarantee for the rights of workers when the country gets a new constitution," said Achyut Raj Pandey, general secretary of Nepal Trade Union Congress Independent (NTUC-I). He said the May Day programme was organized across the country. There were around 3,000 to 4,000 workers participating the programme addressed by senior NTUC-I leaders. "This year, our voice was raised to establish social security for social justice to support sound industrial relations system and activate the Labour Commission," he said. Addressing the NTUC-I gathering, Acting President of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala said workers' movements have brought great changes in the world. He said that his party was committed to protect democracy, the rule of law, press freedom, professional welfare of workers and judicial freedom. General Federation of Nepalese Trade Union (GFONT) also organized a morning rally on May Day. Bishnu Rimal, President of GFONT said their top political leaders addressed the programme. "Our agendas were focused on the effective implementation of Social Security Fund (SSF)," he said. He said that the SSF should also incorporate the government and the business entrepreneurs. Under the SSF, the employees are entitled to pay 1 percent of their total income. However, the government and the business entrepreneurs are not entitled to the provision. "If the government and the businessmen are incorporated in the SSF with more than 2 percent contribution of their earnings it will be a comprehensive social security system under which workers' rights can be ensured as part of social security under the Labour Act and Rules. George Mavrikos, general secretary of World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and a member of the Greece Parliament, who is here to take part in the May Day function, said Nepal's trade union movement is grappling with unemployment that is greatly increasing poverty. He pointed out that inflation on the other hand is hitting hard the people in South Asia. He said South Asian countries need to increase spending on productive sectors to address the ongoing employment problem that is growing at an alarming rate. "The Ministry is committed to ensure the trade union rights of workers and make a congenial environment between workers and owners," said Labour Minister Mohammed Aftab Alam. "The country's overall economic development hinges on strengthening mutual relations between the workers and the owners," said Surendra Bir Malakar, president, Nepal Chambers of Commerce. The labour movement in Nepal began on March 4, 1947 in Biratnagar against the hereditary Rana rule for the establishment of democracy and advancement of workers' rights. In 1960, with the dissolution of multiparty democracy in Nepal, trade unions were banned along with political parties for almost 30 years under the Panchayat system. With the overthrow of Panchayat rule in 1990 following a popular movement for the restoration of democracy, freedom of expression and organization became a part of national life.
80 Himalayan expeditions receive permits for spring
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, APR 20 - Eighty mountaineering expeditions have received permits to make an attempt on different Himalayan peaks during the current spring season compared to 99 teams last year. According to the Industrial Department of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, 661 applicants (577 males and 84 females) have received climbing permits for this spring. Last year, there were 804 hopeful mountaineers (720 males and 84 females). The government has collected Rs. 194.3 million as royalty from 77 expeditions so far. Officials said that three expeditions were yet to receive their permits. Among the applicants, 232 mountaineers of 25 expeditions have received permits to make an attempt on Everest. Last year, 27 expeditions had applied for Everest. Officials at the department said that permits had been given to 278 applicants for Everest last spring among whom 178 including 28 women succeeded in summiting the peak. Indra Kumar Maharjan, an official at the department, said that Everest expeditions were likely to start from May 20. However, if the weather was favourable, they could begin earlier. Tourism entrepreneurs said that the number of climbers attempting the Nepal Himalaya had been declining every year because of the more convenient transportation facilities provided by the Chinese government and the smaller royalty charged there. “The cost of climbing Everest from the Tibetan side is less as there is motor transportation up to the base camp,” Maharjan said. However, mounting an ascent from the Nepal side is less risky as climbers can get acclimatized at various places on the way to the base camp. Maharjan added that starting climbing right away after reaching the base camp as happens on the Tibetan side was hazardous. The government has offered a discount of 50 percent on the royalty in the winter and summer seasons and 75 percent in the autumn season. The royalty for the spring season is higher. No climbing royalty is charged for mountains in the Mid-Western and Far Western development regions. The royalty for peaks higher than 6,500 m ranges from US$ 1,000 to US$ 25,000 depending on the route and elevation. For mountains of less than 6,500 m in height, each climber is charged US$ 400.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, APR 20 - Eighty mountaineering expeditions have received permits to make an attempt on different Himalayan peaks during the current spring season compared to 99 teams last year. According to the Industrial Department of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, 661 applicants (577 males and 84 females) have received climbing permits for this spring. Last year, there were 804 hopeful mountaineers (720 males and 84 females). The government has collected Rs. 194.3 million as royalty from 77 expeditions so far. Officials said that three expeditions were yet to receive their permits. Among the applicants, 232 mountaineers of 25 expeditions have received permits to make an attempt on Everest. Last year, 27 expeditions had applied for Everest. Officials at the department said that permits had been given to 278 applicants for Everest last spring among whom 178 including 28 women succeeded in summiting the peak. Indra Kumar Maharjan, an official at the department, said that Everest expeditions were likely to start from May 20. However, if the weather was favourable, they could begin earlier. Tourism entrepreneurs said that the number of climbers attempting the Nepal Himalaya had been declining every year because of the more convenient transportation facilities provided by the Chinese government and the smaller royalty charged there. “The cost of climbing Everest from the Tibetan side is less as there is motor transportation up to the base camp,” Maharjan said. However, mounting an ascent from the Nepal side is less risky as climbers can get acclimatized at various places on the way to the base camp. Maharjan added that starting climbing right away after reaching the base camp as happens on the Tibetan side was hazardous. The government has offered a discount of 50 percent on the royalty in the winter and summer seasons and 75 percent in the autumn season. The royalty for the spring season is higher. No climbing royalty is charged for mountains in the Mid-Western and Far Western development regions. The royalty for peaks higher than 6,500 m ranges from US$ 1,000 to US$ 25,000 depending on the route and elevation. For mountains of less than 6,500 m in height, each climber is charged US$ 400.
Star hotels feel protest heat
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, APR 30 - The hospitality industry, it seems, is feeling the heat of the May 1 Maoist mass protest and the indefinite strike that may follow. With the announcement of the indefinite strike, star hotels in Kathmandu have started receiving booking cancellations. Hoteliers said reservations for April had been encouraging despite the month being an off-season one. However, next month may not be so good as they have started receiving cancellation orders from foreign clients. Assistant front office manager at Everest Hotel Kiran Tuladhar said they have received around five individual and around three group cancellations till Thursday. “We were expecting incentive groups from India next month as they come here during the summer season,” he said. “Now, they may not visit Nepal due to the Maoist strike.” “If the strike continues for a long time, the hotel business may suffer considerably,” said Binay Budhathoki, reservation agent at Radisson Hotel. He added that there had been about three cancellations till date. The hotel’s occupancy in April was 96 percent. Reservation manager of Hotel de l’ Annapurna, said: “We have been receiving around 10-12 cancellations every day after the announcement of the strike.” Senior manager, sales and marketing at Hotel Shangri-La, Mohan Khanal, however, said they have not received any cancellation so far. “However, if the situation remains the same, we too will not be spared.” Most of the five star hotels have over 70 percent occupancy in the month of April. Ram Kaji Koney, former president of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, said the term “indefinite strike” has heightened concern in the travel and trade sectors. “This being the off-season, the tourism sector will not be affected much. However, such activities will have an impact on the coming season,” said Koney. He quoted tourism entrepreneurs as harbouring concerns that tourist arrivals might go down significantly in May. Nepal received 44,431 tourists in March — a jump of 34.6 percent as compared to the same month last year. In the first three months this year, a robust 29.8 percent cumulative growth had been witnessed in comparison to the same period last year.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, APR 30 - The hospitality industry, it seems, is feeling the heat of the May 1 Maoist mass protest and the indefinite strike that may follow. With the announcement of the indefinite strike, star hotels in Kathmandu have started receiving booking cancellations. Hoteliers said reservations for April had been encouraging despite the month being an off-season one. However, next month may not be so good as they have started receiving cancellation orders from foreign clients. Assistant front office manager at Everest Hotel Kiran Tuladhar said they have received around five individual and around three group cancellations till Thursday. “We were expecting incentive groups from India next month as they come here during the summer season,” he said. “Now, they may not visit Nepal due to the Maoist strike.” “If the strike continues for a long time, the hotel business may suffer considerably,” said Binay Budhathoki, reservation agent at Radisson Hotel. He added that there had been about three cancellations till date. The hotel’s occupancy in April was 96 percent. Reservation manager of Hotel de l’ Annapurna, said: “We have been receiving around 10-12 cancellations every day after the announcement of the strike.” Senior manager, sales and marketing at Hotel Shangri-La, Mohan Khanal, however, said they have not received any cancellation so far. “However, if the situation remains the same, we too will not be spared.” Most of the five star hotels have over 70 percent occupancy in the month of April. Ram Kaji Koney, former president of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents, said the term “indefinite strike” has heightened concern in the travel and trade sectors. “This being the off-season, the tourism sector will not be affected much. However, such activities will have an impact on the coming season,” said Koney. He quoted tourism entrepreneurs as harbouring concerns that tourist arrivals might go down significantly in May. Nepal received 44,431 tourists in March — a jump of 34.6 percent as compared to the same month last year. In the first three months this year, a robust 29.8 percent cumulative growth had been witnessed in comparison to the same period last year.
Strike call terror spurs buying spree
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, APR 28 - Though there are still three more days to go for the Maoists' indefinite nationwide strike to begin on Sunday, people have already started feeling its impact. Since morning, there was a rush at the petrol pumps, retailers, wholesalers and other markets across the Capital. Long queues were in place in wait for essential items and foodstuff, wholesalers and retailers said. According to them, customers have already started stocking the bulk of major essential goods to tide over the general strike period. Items like, edible oil, rice, salt, sugar and petroleum products among other items are being stocked at home fearing possible unavailability. Wholesaler Keshar Man Bista said that city dwellers, who normally do their shopping in the last week of every month are rushing to shop in the first week. "With pressure mounting on customers, sales have increased by 100 percent in the last few days," Bista said. He said the demand for foodstuffs has gone up significantly after the indefinite strike call. Nirmala Shrestha, shopping on Tuesday for essential items, said, "No one knows how long the strike will continue." "The indefinite strike call has also fuelled the possibility of hoarding and black marketing of foodstuffs in the market," Bista added. He said that many wholesalers in the capital have sufficient food stock with capacity to address the demand for the next three weeks. "However, some wholesalers may indulge in black marketing by creating a false shortage to take advantage of the fears evoked by the strike call," he added. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, the strike will not much affect the supply of daily essential goods as compared to petroleum products. "If the strike continues for a long time, the government can impose a curfew to bring in petroleum products," said Ganesh Dhakal, spokesperson at the Supplies Ministry. Dhakal said the government would monitor the market regularly to discourage black marketing and hoarding. However, Mukunda Dhungel, spokesperson at the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), said that due to strikes there would not be any vehicular movement, "So, there will be no petroleum products except LPG," he said. The Gas Dealer Federation-Nepal has said it has stocked adequate LPG for a month to overcome any shortage during the strike. Issuing a press statement, the Federation has appealed to customers not to worry about the shortage and has requested them to dial 4168264 if any seller is found black marketing LPG.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, APR 28 - Though there are still three more days to go for the Maoists' indefinite nationwide strike to begin on Sunday, people have already started feeling its impact. Since morning, there was a rush at the petrol pumps, retailers, wholesalers and other markets across the Capital. Long queues were in place in wait for essential items and foodstuff, wholesalers and retailers said. According to them, customers have already started stocking the bulk of major essential goods to tide over the general strike period. Items like, edible oil, rice, salt, sugar and petroleum products among other items are being stocked at home fearing possible unavailability. Wholesaler Keshar Man Bista said that city dwellers, who normally do their shopping in the last week of every month are rushing to shop in the first week. "With pressure mounting on customers, sales have increased by 100 percent in the last few days," Bista said. He said the demand for foodstuffs has gone up significantly after the indefinite strike call. Nirmala Shrestha, shopping on Tuesday for essential items, said, "No one knows how long the strike will continue." "The indefinite strike call has also fuelled the possibility of hoarding and black marketing of foodstuffs in the market," Bista added. He said that many wholesalers in the capital have sufficient food stock with capacity to address the demand for the next three weeks. "However, some wholesalers may indulge in black marketing by creating a false shortage to take advantage of the fears evoked by the strike call," he added. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, the strike will not much affect the supply of daily essential goods as compared to petroleum products. "If the strike continues for a long time, the government can impose a curfew to bring in petroleum products," said Ganesh Dhakal, spokesperson at the Supplies Ministry. Dhakal said the government would monitor the market regularly to discourage black marketing and hoarding. However, Mukunda Dhungel, spokesperson at the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), said that due to strikes there would not be any vehicular movement, "So, there will be no petroleum products except LPG," he said. The Gas Dealer Federation-Nepal has said it has stocked adequate LPG for a month to overcome any shortage during the strike. Issuing a press statement, the Federation has appealed to customers not to worry about the shortage and has requested them to dial 4168264 if any seller is found black marketing LPG.
Tourist arrival by air nosedives to a ‘record low’
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 05 -
Tourist arrival via air has nosedived to probably the record low, thanks to the Maoist indefinite general strike.
According to Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), only 516 tourists arrived here on Tuesday compared to 1,367 on Saturday, the day when the Maoists announced their indefinite general strike. Within three days the arrival declined by 75 percent.
Nepal Tourism Board officials said tourist arrival by air used to be over 1,100 daily before the strike with the departure being at the same ratio. The arrival in April was recorded 38,694 compared to the corresponding period last year.
With the strike kicking in all across the country, the arrival has shown a cascading affect. Sunday’s figure shows that the arrival dropped to 1,087 and departure stood at 1,364. On Monday, the arrival plunged to 780 and departure was 1,289.
From the first day of strike, tourist arrival went on downward trajectory. On Sunday, the arrival declined by over 250 tourists. Things started turning into grim outlook as the banda continued.
The third day of strike, on Tuesday, saw a drastic decline in the arrival with the figure going down to 516. Departure was 1,210 on the same day. TIA officials said the arrival might fall drastically if the situation did not improve.
“Looking the present trend, arrival figure may come down to 300,” said Khadananda Dhakal, immigration chief at TIA.
Despite the poor arrival, flights of 25 international airline companies operating in Nepal are regular, officials said.
Authorities fear that the dismal picture may bode ill for Nepal Tourism Year 2011 and the target to bring in one millions tourists.
Strike bodes ill for the ambitious target, said Laxman Bhattarai, spokesperson of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
“There is no point of investing a big amount of money in the campaign if political parties do not try to develop the tourism sector,” he said.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 05 -
Tourist arrival via air has nosedived to probably the record low, thanks to the Maoist indefinite general strike.
According to Immigration Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), only 516 tourists arrived here on Tuesday compared to 1,367 on Saturday, the day when the Maoists announced their indefinite general strike. Within three days the arrival declined by 75 percent.
Nepal Tourism Board officials said tourist arrival by air used to be over 1,100 daily before the strike with the departure being at the same ratio. The arrival in April was recorded 38,694 compared to the corresponding period last year.
With the strike kicking in all across the country, the arrival has shown a cascading affect. Sunday’s figure shows that the arrival dropped to 1,087 and departure stood at 1,364. On Monday, the arrival plunged to 780 and departure was 1,289.
From the first day of strike, tourist arrival went on downward trajectory. On Sunday, the arrival declined by over 250 tourists. Things started turning into grim outlook as the banda continued.
The third day of strike, on Tuesday, saw a drastic decline in the arrival with the figure going down to 516. Departure was 1,210 on the same day. TIA officials said the arrival might fall drastically if the situation did not improve.
“Looking the present trend, arrival figure may come down to 300,” said Khadananda Dhakal, immigration chief at TIA.
Despite the poor arrival, flights of 25 international airline companies operating in Nepal are regular, officials said.
Authorities fear that the dismal picture may bode ill for Nepal Tourism Year 2011 and the target to bring in one millions tourists.
Strike bodes ill for the ambitious target, said Laxman Bhattarai, spokesperson of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
“There is no point of investing a big amount of money in the campaign if political parties do not try to develop the tourism sector,” he said.
Spring expedition 2010 kicks off
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 06 -
Nine Sherpas representing their three different agencies have ascended Mt. Everest, the first spring summit of 2010 on Wednesday.
The team headed for the rope-fixing task and reached the summit of Mt. Everest at 11:40 am.
"As per the information, three Sherpas each from Sherpa Shangri La Treks and Expedition, Mountain Experience Pvt. Ltd and Beyul Adventure Pvt. Ltd reached the summit with the rope-fixing task, said Baburam Bhandari, under secretary at Tourism Industry Division, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
"With the Sherpas finishing the rope-fixing work, numbers of climbers are set ready to summit the Everest as soon as a weather condition becomes favorable," said Jiban Ghimire managing director Sherpa Shangri-La Treks & Expeditions. He said that the expedition would probably start from May 15-16. This spring 82 mountaineering expeditions
have received permits to make
an attempt on different Himalayan peaks compared to 99 teams last year.
Among the applicants,
233 mountaineers of 25 expeditions have received permits
to attempt on Mt. Everest. Last year, 27 expeditions had applied for the peak.
Apa finds contender
KATHMANDU: Chewang Nima Sherpa, a close contender against Apa Sherpa is attempting the Mt. Everest ascent twice in a single season this spring in a bid to equal the record set by Apa.
Following Apa who has climbed Everst for 19 times, Chewang, who climbed Mt. Everest for the 17th time last year, on Wednesday notched up his record at 18 successful bids. On May 16, Chewang will make his second ascend to the Everest to score the equaliser to Apa's record, Ghimire said.
Chewang ascended Mt Everest on Wednesday morning as a guide of Alpine Ascents International 2010 Everest Expedition for the rope-fixing work. He was accompanied by eight other Sherpa guides. (PR)
Some Everest aspirants
Country Member
USA 65
Canada 19
Britain 17
Korea 15
Australia 11
UK 9
China 8
New Zealand 7
Germany 6
Finland 6
Argentina 6
Mexico 6
India 5
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 06 -
Nine Sherpas representing their three different agencies have ascended Mt. Everest, the first spring summit of 2010 on Wednesday.
The team headed for the rope-fixing task and reached the summit of Mt. Everest at 11:40 am.
"As per the information, three Sherpas each from Sherpa Shangri La Treks and Expedition, Mountain Experience Pvt. Ltd and Beyul Adventure Pvt. Ltd reached the summit with the rope-fixing task, said Baburam Bhandari, under secretary at Tourism Industry Division, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.
"With the Sherpas finishing the rope-fixing work, numbers of climbers are set ready to summit the Everest as soon as a weather condition becomes favorable," said Jiban Ghimire managing director Sherpa Shangri-La Treks & Expeditions. He said that the expedition would probably start from May 15-16. This spring 82 mountaineering expeditions
have received permits to make
an attempt on different Himalayan peaks compared to 99 teams last year.
Among the applicants,
233 mountaineers of 25 expeditions have received permits
to attempt on Mt. Everest. Last year, 27 expeditions had applied for the peak.
Apa finds contender
KATHMANDU: Chewang Nima Sherpa, a close contender against Apa Sherpa is attempting the Mt. Everest ascent twice in a single season this spring in a bid to equal the record set by Apa.
Following Apa who has climbed Everst for 19 times, Chewang, who climbed Mt. Everest for the 17th time last year, on Wednesday notched up his record at 18 successful bids. On May 16, Chewang will make his second ascend to the Everest to score the equaliser to Apa's record, Ghimire said.
Chewang ascended Mt Everest on Wednesday morning as a guide of Alpine Ascents International 2010 Everest Expedition for the rope-fixing work. He was accompanied by eight other Sherpa guides. (PR)
Some Everest aspirants
Country Member
USA 65
Canada 19
Britain 17
Korea 15
Australia 11
UK 9
China 8
New Zealand 7
Germany 6
Finland 6
Argentina 6
Mexico 6
India 5
Trek guides feel like cat’s whiskers
SANGAM PRASAIN
SYANGBOCHE, MAY 23 -
Pemba Tenzing Sherpa thinks himself fortunate to be a trekking and mountaineering guide although he did not get a proper education. He does not regret not being an educated man because he can communicate well with tourists.
"I had to work, and I didn't have any alternative than to quit school," Tenzing said. He works hard for almost three months during the
peak tourist season. "I get paid US$ 10-20 per day from foreigners as guide charge," he said. He saves
about Rs. 200,000 during the peak tourist season.
During the off-season, a number of guides move to the US or Europe. Similarly, Kathmandu is also a preferred place to spend the holidays for these guides during the off-season.
Tara Gurung, owner of Hotel Panorama in Syangboche, said that he visits Japan regularly as a part-timer during the off-season.
March, April and October are the main tourist season. Tourist movement decreases slightly in January and February. June, July and August are the off-season for tourism activities. "A majority of Sherpas working here as mountaineering guides get opportunities to work as a part-timer in Switzerland," Gurung said. They work in hotels and other businesses, Gurung added.
Trekking agents, tour operators, sirdars (trekking field managers), high altitude climbers, porters and cooks are in high demand in Japan, Switzerland, France, the US and other countries.
In the Khumbu region, men take a majority of these jobs, although women are mostly responsible for managing the lodges. The most successful lodges actually produce more profits than the trekking agencies.
A number of Sherpas from Namche Bazaar, Khumjung and Khunde follow the same work pattern as Tenzing. The younger generation, however, has a better life. "Over 80 percent of Sherpa children are pursuing their education outside the country," said Krishna Aryal, coordinator of Explore Himalaya. "Not only are the Sherpas better off, their faithfulness and hardworking nature has endeared them to foreigners, and they support their children's education abroad," he added.
Mingma Chhamji Sherpa, a female guide who is new to her guide profession, said she gave more priority to work than education.
A commerce graduate, Mingma said most Sherpas did not prefer education, however, being educated makes the guide occupation more professional. She said that a mountaineering guide was paid better than a trekking guide. According to her, the pay for guides and trekkers is determined by tourist spending.
"I get a monthly salary of Rs. 4,000, and my daily allowance while on trek is Rs. 700-800," she said.
Bibek Pandey another guide, said tourism had a promising future if there was peace and law and order.
"A trekking guide gets US$ 10-30 per day during the tourist season. The pay for a group leader exceeds US$ 50-70," he added. Similarly, a mountaineering guide gets US$ 125-175 for carrying a load of up to 15 kg to Camp IV on Everest.
"Tourism has changed the life of the people in the region," said Prajangbu Sherpa, a Khunde local who has climbed Everest five times.
SANGAM PRASAIN
SYANGBOCHE, MAY 23 -
Pemba Tenzing Sherpa thinks himself fortunate to be a trekking and mountaineering guide although he did not get a proper education. He does not regret not being an educated man because he can communicate well with tourists.
"I had to work, and I didn't have any alternative than to quit school," Tenzing said. He works hard for almost three months during the
peak tourist season. "I get paid US$ 10-20 per day from foreigners as guide charge," he said. He saves
about Rs. 200,000 during the peak tourist season.
During the off-season, a number of guides move to the US or Europe. Similarly, Kathmandu is also a preferred place to spend the holidays for these guides during the off-season.
Tara Gurung, owner of Hotel Panorama in Syangboche, said that he visits Japan regularly as a part-timer during the off-season.
March, April and October are the main tourist season. Tourist movement decreases slightly in January and February. June, July and August are the off-season for tourism activities. "A majority of Sherpas working here as mountaineering guides get opportunities to work as a part-timer in Switzerland," Gurung said. They work in hotels and other businesses, Gurung added.
Trekking agents, tour operators, sirdars (trekking field managers), high altitude climbers, porters and cooks are in high demand in Japan, Switzerland, France, the US and other countries.
In the Khumbu region, men take a majority of these jobs, although women are mostly responsible for managing the lodges. The most successful lodges actually produce more profits than the trekking agencies.
A number of Sherpas from Namche Bazaar, Khumjung and Khunde follow the same work pattern as Tenzing. The younger generation, however, has a better life. "Over 80 percent of Sherpa children are pursuing their education outside the country," said Krishna Aryal, coordinator of Explore Himalaya. "Not only are the Sherpas better off, their faithfulness and hardworking nature has endeared them to foreigners, and they support their children's education abroad," he added.
Mingma Chhamji Sherpa, a female guide who is new to her guide profession, said she gave more priority to work than education.
A commerce graduate, Mingma said most Sherpas did not prefer education, however, being educated makes the guide occupation more professional. She said that a mountaineering guide was paid better than a trekking guide. According to her, the pay for guides and trekkers is determined by tourist spending.
"I get a monthly salary of Rs. 4,000, and my daily allowance while on trek is Rs. 700-800," she said.
Bibek Pandey another guide, said tourism had a promising future if there was peace and law and order.
"A trekking guide gets US$ 10-30 per day during the tourist season. The pay for a group leader exceeds US$ 50-70," he added. Similarly, a mountaineering guide gets US$ 125-175 for carrying a load of up to 15 kg to Camp IV on Everest.
"Tourism has changed the life of the people in the region," said Prajangbu Sherpa, a Khunde local who has climbed Everest five times.
Zidane leap of faith likely
SANGAM PRASAIN
SYANGBOCHE (KHUMBU), MAY 17 -
If things go as planned, former French footballer Zinadine Zidane will be coming to Nepal in October for skydiving, a close friend of Zidane said on Monday.
Zidan’e friend Mario Gervasi, who skydived from Syangboche — the world’s highest point — on Monday, has requested the French mid-field maestro to skydive from Syangboche at an altitude of 3860 metres above sea level.
“I had requested him earlier to skydive in Marseilles (in France), but Zidane said he would rather do it from Everest. So, most probably he will come,” said Gervasi, Vice president of Vertical Pole, an adventure sports club in France.
Zidane, who captained the triumphant French team in the World Cup 1998, is keen to see the Everest journey materialise. Earlier, he had skydived in Paris and wants to achieve new heights, Gervasi added.
Gervasi is a professional skydiver and has already made more than 10,000 successful dives around the world. He works in the same social organisation that Zidane is associated with. Gervasi and Zidane work for ‘ALA’, an organisation working for the development of handicapped and disabled children.
“Confirmation is yet to come,” said Everest Skydive Nepal president Suman Pandey. According to him, Gervasi is closely associated with most of the French celebrities and chances are that Zidane will make it in October.
Everest Skydive Nepal is conducting a commercial skydive then. So far 15-20 groups have confirmed their arrival. Pandey said that as Nepal has the world’s highest skydiving point, a lot of enthusiastic foreigners are expected to join the carnival. One skydive costs around US$25,000 to US$30,000. For domestic aspirants, the organisation has planned to conduct commercial skydiving in Pokhara in October. The fee for Nepali skydivers will be around Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 per head, Pandey added.
On Monday, world record breaking woman skydiver New Zealander Wendy Smith, jumped off from 27,000 feet. Smith said Nepal is one of the most promising destinations for skydiving due to the presence of Mt. Everest and hundreds of mountain peaks.
SANGAM PRASAIN
SYANGBOCHE (KHUMBU), MAY 17 -
If things go as planned, former French footballer Zinadine Zidane will be coming to Nepal in October for skydiving, a close friend of Zidane said on Monday.
Zidan’e friend Mario Gervasi, who skydived from Syangboche — the world’s highest point — on Monday, has requested the French mid-field maestro to skydive from Syangboche at an altitude of 3860 metres above sea level.
“I had requested him earlier to skydive in Marseilles (in France), but Zidane said he would rather do it from Everest. So, most probably he will come,” said Gervasi, Vice president of Vertical Pole, an adventure sports club in France.
Zidane, who captained the triumphant French team in the World Cup 1998, is keen to see the Everest journey materialise. Earlier, he had skydived in Paris and wants to achieve new heights, Gervasi added.
Gervasi is a professional skydiver and has already made more than 10,000 successful dives around the world. He works in the same social organisation that Zidane is associated with. Gervasi and Zidane work for ‘ALA’, an organisation working for the development of handicapped and disabled children.
“Confirmation is yet to come,” said Everest Skydive Nepal president Suman Pandey. According to him, Gervasi is closely associated with most of the French celebrities and chances are that Zidane will make it in October.
Everest Skydive Nepal is conducting a commercial skydive then. So far 15-20 groups have confirmed their arrival. Pandey said that as Nepal has the world’s highest skydiving point, a lot of enthusiastic foreigners are expected to join the carnival. One skydive costs around US$25,000 to US$30,000. For domestic aspirants, the organisation has planned to conduct commercial skydiving in Pokhara in October. The fee for Nepali skydivers will be around Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 per head, Pandey added.
On Monday, world record breaking woman skydiver New Zealander Wendy Smith, jumped off from 27,000 feet. Smith said Nepal is one of the most promising destinations for skydiving due to the presence of Mt. Everest and hundreds of mountain peaks.
Apa 20-time Everester now
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 22 -
Apa Sherpa broke his own world record by scaling Mount Everest for the 20th time on Saturday. The 50-year-old, nicknamed ‘Super Sherpa’, created another milestone at 8:34 a.m.
Also the SAARC goodwill ambassador for climate change, Apa carried the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign flag and WWF banner with the slogan ‘You Heard Our Voice, Now Raise Yours - We Can Stop Climate Change in the Himalayas’ to draw international attention to the tourism campaign and global warming.
Apa started from Camp IV at 12 Midnight on Friday and reached the summit along with 14 Eco Everest Expedition members on Saturday morning, said Ang Tshering Sherpa, chairman of Asian Trekking Pvt. Ltd. The record holder first scaled the highest peak at his fourth attempt on May 10, 1990. He then began his career as Sirdar, or chief Sherpa, for many high altitude expeditions.
Originally from the Thame village in Nepal and living in the USA since 2006, Apa has climbed Everest for eight straight years since 2002. He has reached the summit every year between 1990 and 2010, bar 1996 and 2001; all but three times have been in May, and in 1992, he reached the summit twice.
It was on 21 May 2009, Apa broke his own record by reaching the summit of Everest for the 19th time as a member of the Expedition, led by Bill Burke, whose purpose was to raise awareness about climate change.
Similarly, Apa’s website, prepared in anticipation of reaching the summit, says, “I am thankful to have been able to climb Mount Everest for the 20th time. I climbed this year to raise awareness about the Apa Sherpa Foundation, which is dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for people in the Himalayan Region. I also climbed to bring attention to the damage done to the Himalayas because of global climate change.”
On Saturday, 67 summiteers scaled Mt. Everest. “With a good weather, there were 29 foreigners and 38 Nepali climbers,” said Tilak Pandey, a liaison officer at the Everest base camp.
This spring, over 82 mountaineering expeditions have received permits to make an attempt on different Himalayan peaks.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 22 -
Apa Sherpa broke his own world record by scaling Mount Everest for the 20th time on Saturday. The 50-year-old, nicknamed ‘Super Sherpa’, created another milestone at 8:34 a.m.
Also the SAARC goodwill ambassador for climate change, Apa carried the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign flag and WWF banner with the slogan ‘You Heard Our Voice, Now Raise Yours - We Can Stop Climate Change in the Himalayas’ to draw international attention to the tourism campaign and global warming.
Apa started from Camp IV at 12 Midnight on Friday and reached the summit along with 14 Eco Everest Expedition members on Saturday morning, said Ang Tshering Sherpa, chairman of Asian Trekking Pvt. Ltd. The record holder first scaled the highest peak at his fourth attempt on May 10, 1990. He then began his career as Sirdar, or chief Sherpa, for many high altitude expeditions.
Originally from the Thame village in Nepal and living in the USA since 2006, Apa has climbed Everest for eight straight years since 2002. He has reached the summit every year between 1990 and 2010, bar 1996 and 2001; all but three times have been in May, and in 1992, he reached the summit twice.
It was on 21 May 2009, Apa broke his own record by reaching the summit of Everest for the 19th time as a member of the Expedition, led by Bill Burke, whose purpose was to raise awareness about climate change.
Similarly, Apa’s website, prepared in anticipation of reaching the summit, says, “I am thankful to have been able to climb Mount Everest for the 20th time. I climbed this year to raise awareness about the Apa Sherpa Foundation, which is dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for people in the Himalayan Region. I also climbed to bring attention to the damage done to the Himalayas because of global climate change.”
On Saturday, 67 summiteers scaled Mt. Everest. “With a good weather, there were 29 foreigners and 38 Nepali climbers,” said Tilak Pandey, a liaison officer at the Everest base camp.
This spring, over 82 mountaineering expeditions have received permits to make an attempt on different Himalayan peaks.
Unity Air plan to operate international hits snag
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 26
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has said the air operator certificate (AOC) would not be issued to the Unity Air, run by Unity Life International, a network marketing which the government banned recently.
The airline has been issued the license to operate both domestic and international flights. The airline had planned to purchase a 150-seater jet for Rs. 6 billion for international flight.
On March 23, Unity Air, a new player in the aviation sector, was permitted international operation license by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA). It acquired the domestic license on October.
In the first phase, the airline had targeted Doha and Dubai, which are major Nepali labour markets. It had also planned to operate a daily flight in the Kathmandu-Delhi sector.
In the second phase, Unity Air had a plan to fly Kathmandu-Delhi, Kathmandu-Doha, Kathmandu-Dubai and Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur by the end of 2010.
After the finance ministry directed its subordinate bodies to suspend all bank accounts in the name of the company and stop sale of all fixed assets including vehicle in the name of the company, the CAAN also initiated the move of not issuing the AOC to the airline.
“In this state, we will not issue the AOC,” said Ram Prasad Neupane, director general of CAAN.
As per the civil aviation regulations, Unity Air should put up a security bond of Rs. 5 million and have a paid-up capital of Rs. 500 million to get the AOC. The terms of reference document costs Rs. 50,000.
On the domestic side, the airline had paid-up capital of Rs. 150 million and bank guarantee of Rs. 1 million.
Similarly, an airline operating on the international route needs to pay Rs 500,000 per route of operation as royalty. For domestic route, it has to pay Rs 5,000 per STOL (short take-off and landing) and Rs. 10,000 for hub airport route.
An airline that has fulfilled the terms of reference to go international must obtain an air operator certificate within six months and start flights within a year of acquiring it.
The airline loses the security amount, bank guarantee fund and license if it does not acquire the AOC within six months, said Birendra Kumar Singh, under secretary at the civil aviation ministry.
Singh said the finance ministry had not issued any letter to scrap the license so far. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, has sought the company’s business plan submitted to the MoTCA.
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 26
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has said the air operator certificate (AOC) would not be issued to the Unity Air, run by Unity Life International, a network marketing which the government banned recently.
The airline has been issued the license to operate both domestic and international flights. The airline had planned to purchase a 150-seater jet for Rs. 6 billion for international flight.
On March 23, Unity Air, a new player in the aviation sector, was permitted international operation license by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA). It acquired the domestic license on October.
In the first phase, the airline had targeted Doha and Dubai, which are major Nepali labour markets. It had also planned to operate a daily flight in the Kathmandu-Delhi sector.
In the second phase, Unity Air had a plan to fly Kathmandu-Delhi, Kathmandu-Doha, Kathmandu-Dubai and Kathmandu-Kuala Lumpur by the end of 2010.
After the finance ministry directed its subordinate bodies to suspend all bank accounts in the name of the company and stop sale of all fixed assets including vehicle in the name of the company, the CAAN also initiated the move of not issuing the AOC to the airline.
“In this state, we will not issue the AOC,” said Ram Prasad Neupane, director general of CAAN.
As per the civil aviation regulations, Unity Air should put up a security bond of Rs. 5 million and have a paid-up capital of Rs. 500 million to get the AOC. The terms of reference document costs Rs. 50,000.
On the domestic side, the airline had paid-up capital of Rs. 150 million and bank guarantee of Rs. 1 million.
Similarly, an airline operating on the international route needs to pay Rs 500,000 per route of operation as royalty. For domestic route, it has to pay Rs 5,000 per STOL (short take-off and landing) and Rs. 10,000 for hub airport route.
An airline that has fulfilled the terms of reference to go international must obtain an air operator certificate within six months and start flights within a year of acquiring it.
The airline loses the security amount, bank guarantee fund and license if it does not acquire the AOC within six months, said Birendra Kumar Singh, under secretary at the civil aviation ministry.
Singh said the finance ministry had not issued any letter to scrap the license so far. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, has sought the company’s business plan submitted to the MoTCA.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Grain output drops by 4.33 percent
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 13 - The country's overall grain production (paddy, wheat, maize, barley and millet) has declined by 4.33 percent in the current fiscal year compared to the last fiscal year.
A production report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives revealed that this fiscal year overall grain production dropped to 7.76 million tons. In the last fiscal year, overall grain output was recorded at 8.11 million tons.
Paddy production declined by about 11 percent to 4.02 million tons. Last year, paddy production was 4.52 million tons.
Similarly, output of maize, the second staple food item after paddy, has declined by 4 percent compared to the last fiscal year. This year, maize production has been recorded at 1.85 million tons compared to 1.93 million tons last year.
Wheat, the third major crop, has increased by 16 percent this year compared to last year. This year, wheat production has been estimated at 1.56 million tons compared to 1.34 million tons last year.
"The abundant rain and snow witnessed this year has helped to increase wheat production," said Hari Dahal, spokesperson at the Agriculture Ministry.
Likewise, production of millet has increased by 2 percent. Millet production has been estimated at 300,000 tons this year compared to 293,000 tons last year. Barley production is estimated to increase by 19 percent this year with the increased production area. Production is estimated at 27,500 tons this year compared to 23,000 tons last year. This year, the share of paddy production in the total grain output was 45 percent followed by wheat (24 percent), maize (26 percent), millet (5 percent) and barley (1 percent).
Food availability this year in line with the increasing population and production ratio is likely to see a shortfall of 316,465 tons. Last year, the estimated food deficit was 132,914 tons.
With the estimated deficit, over 1.6 million people will face food unavailability this year, the ministry said. The fall in the grain production this year has been attributed to lack of modern irrigation facilities, increasing plotting of productive land for housing construction and traditional agricultural methods, Dahal said.
According to him, the food deficit will be further aggravated this year. The Mid and Far Western regions could be more affected by the shortage, he added.
The break-up
Over 1.6 million people will face food unavailability
Overall grain production dropped to 7.76 million tons
There will be a shortfall of 316,465 tons grains
Food deficit will be further aggravated this year
The Mid and Far Western regions could be more affected80 Himalayan expeditions receive permits for spring
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, APR 20 - Eighty mountaineering expeditions have received permits to make an attempt on different Himalayan peaks during the current spring season compared to 99 teams last year.
According to the Industrial Department of the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, 661 applicants (577 males and 84 females) have received climbing permits for this spring. Last year, there were 804 hopeful mountaineers (720 males and 84 females). The government has collected Rs. 194.3 million as royalty from 77 expeditions
so far. Officials said that three expeditions were yet to receive their permits.
Among the applicants, 232 mountaineers of 25 expeditions have received permits to make an attempt on Everest. Last year, 27 expeditions had applied for Everest. Officials at the department said that permits had been given to 278 applicants for Everest last spring among whom 178 including 28 women succeeded in summiting the peak.
Indra Kumar Maharjan, an official at the department, said that Everest expeditions were likely to start from May 20. However, if the weather was favourable, they could begin earlier.
Tourism entrepreneurs said that the number of climbers attempting the Nepal Himalaya had been declining every
year because of the more convenient transportation facilities provided by the Chinese government and the smaller royalty charged there.
“The cost of climbing Everest from the Tibetan side is less as there is motor transportation up to the base camp,” Maharjan said. However, mounting an ascent from the Nepal side is less risky as climbers can get acclimatized at various places on the way to the base camp. Maharjan added that starting climbing right away after reaching the base camp as happens on the Tibetan side was hazardous.
The government has offered a discount of 50 percent on the royalty in the winter and summer seasons and 75 percent in the autumn season. The royalty for the spring season is higher. No climbing royalty is charged
for mountains in the Mid-Western and Far Western development regions.
The royalty for peaks higher than 6,500 m ranges from US$ 1,000 to US$ 25,000 depending on the route and elevation. For mountains of less than 6,500 m in height, each climber is charged US$ 400.
International airfares down 30pc
SANGAM PRASAIN
KATHMANDU, MAY 12 - With the number of airlines connecting Nepal to different global destinations increasing, airfares have dropped by more than 30-35 percent in a year.
Travel agencies said that the growing number of airlines and travellers and increased flight frequency had triggered a massive price war.
Similarly, the airfare gap between class and budget airlines has also come down significantly.
Dipendra Kumar Sharma, managing director of DK Travel and Tour, said that competition between
airlines and their increased flight frequency had ultimately benefited Nepali passengers.
He added that class airlines operating in the Middle East had slashed the price of their tickets from Rs. 25,000-30,000 just one year ago to Rs. 16,000-18,000.
Similarly, airfares of budget airlines connecting Nepal and the Middle East have come down from Rs. 18,000-20,000 to Rs. 13,000-15,000
Sharma said that Qatar Airways had upped its weekly frequency from 11 flights to 21 flights.
Bahrain Air has increased its three weekly flights to seven. Air Arabia now flies 11 times a week compared to thrice previously, and Gulf Air operates 13 weekly flights against nine weekly flights before.
Etihad Airways has increased its flight frequency to seven per week from four. Likewise, other airlines have started adding flights with the ongoing competition.
Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Bahrain Air, Kingfisher Airlines and GMG Airlines started operations in Nepal a few years ago.
However, airfares to Toronto (Canada) have increased by more than 15 to 20 percent in the past six months. Tickets now cost Rs. 107,000 compared to Rs. 92,000 one year ago.
Shyam Raj Thapaliya, managing director of Osho World Travel Nepal, said that airfares to the US, Europe and China have also dropped significantly.
“However, the small number of passengers and airlines flying to Canada has increased the airfare compared to one year ago,” Thapaliya said.
Travel traders said that competition had compelled airlines to reduce fares. Similarly, new carriers are selling their tickets cheap to gain an entry into the market.
They added that airfares on the Kathmandu-Delhi sector had fallen significantly.
However, low aircraft movement on the Kathmandu-Mumbai sector has kept fares high despite a mar-ginal drop.
Currently, there are 25 airlines connecting Nepal with different worldwide destinations.
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