American in bid to set Himalayan trail record
TAAN coordinating rescue works in Annapurna Region
Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) has deployed two helicopters for rescue works in Annapurna Region after massive snowfall left many trekkers stranded in different trekking areas in the region.
TAAN executive members Pasang Tendi Sherpa and Ang Temba Sherpa are coordinating rescue works in Manang. An Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter has been deployed for rescue works in Manang. The chopper was deployed for rescue work from early morning.
Similarly, MI-17 helicopter has been deployed for rescue works in Mustang. Quoting Mahendra Thakali, assistant CDO of Mustang, TAAN executive member Bidya Hirachan said a chopper operated by TAAN has brought four dead bodies and 14 injured trekkers to Pokhara.
Five bodies have been recovered from Phu area in Manang. Four of the deceased are Canadian and one is from India. Panorama Himalaya has confirmed death of its three Canadian clients in an avalanche. It has rescued three Canadian trekkers. Similarly, Nepal Hidden Trek has confirmed death of a Canadian woman.
Many trekkers are missing in stranded in different areas in the Annapurna region like Tilicho Lake, Dhaulagiri Base Camp, Phu and Thorang Pass and Larke Base Camp in Manaslu Region.For Details: Contact: Ramesh Dhamala, President , 9801031179, 9851031179 Keshav Pandy, Coordinator, Search & Rescue Depart: 9851055105 Kami Rinji Sherpa, 1st Vice President, 9851022002 Gopal Babu Shrestha, Treasurer, 9851093450
Source: TAAN
KATHMANDU, Aug 24:
Joint Tourism Coordination Committee (JTCC), a group of travel trade associations, on Sunday organized a program to welcome newly appointed tourism secretary Suresh Man Shrestha.
Speaking at the program, tourism entrepreneurs requested the new secretary to strengthen Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) saying that irregularities there have hindered growth of the tourism industry. Ramesh Prasad Dhamala, coordinator of JTCC, said the new secretary should do the needful for strengthening NTB so that Nepali tourism products and services can be promoted effectively in international market. “We are ready to partner with the government for the development of tourism industry and help the government to make amendment to policies as per the need,” added Dhamala.
Saying that tourist arrival is falling in 2014 because of the impasse in NTB, tourism entrepreneurs urged the government to make NTB functional at the earliest. “The government must think of improving tourist arrivals. For this, it should soon control irregularities at NTB and strengthen transport system, mainly the national flag carrier,” BK Shrestha, president of Hotel association of Nepal (HAN), said.
Responding to the tourism entrepreneurs, Secretary Shrestha said he would help the private sector to promote Nepal in the international arena. “We need to promote our alternative tourist destinations. Our destinations are unique as we are rich in natural resources and biodiversity,” he said. Shrestha also said NTB should be saved from political interference. “It is a matter of great shame that NTB is involved in financial irregularities,” Shrestha said, adding, “We will wait for the report of the probe team and take appropriate decision accordingly.”
He also called upon tourism entrepreneurs to promote domestic tourism.
Source: myrepublica.com