Insurgency hits tourism

By a Post Reporter

SIMIKOT (Humla), Aug 7 -The number of tourists has started to decline in the Humla district in recent months with the increase in Maoist activities, according to people engaged in tourism trade.

A resident of Burause VDC Sunam Bahadur Lama who carries luggages of the tourists says the groups of tourists visiting Humla has declined this year as compared with that of the previous years.

Thamserku Travel, which had managed to take 37 tourists groups to Mansarobar Kailash last year through this route so far managed tour of only 8 groups this year. Not more than 18 groups of tourists are expected to pass through  the Humla district this year in the next two months for which this district can remain open for tourists from climatic point of view. Lama said Thamserku is the prominent travel agency to take tourists to Mansarobar Kailash via Humla district.

According to him, 25 groups of tourists which were in contact with Thamserky Travel, cancelled their visit citing the main reason as the increase in Maoist activities. Sony Travel, another travel agency which is engaged in carrying tourists to Humla, said it also cancelled tour of 9 groups which were scheduled to pass via Humla district.

Lama had bought 21 mules for transportation of luggage of tourists. Last year he had earned nearly 300 thousand rupees by this time, but this year he has earned less than 50 thousand rupees so far.

All the 6 or 7 people who possess mules in the Humla district are passing through the same financial difficulties this year due to the lack of tourist arrival.

Muchu and Limi VDCs bordering Tibet on the north, were restricted for foreign tourists until 2050 BS. The number of tourists visiting in groups increased gradually after the tourists travelling in groups were allowed to pass through Muchu VDC.

Almost all the tourists wish to see new things and new places.

Many tourists pass through Kodari Tatopani route and return via Humla while many others prefer to take the other way round while going to Manasarobar Kailash, according to Bhagat Gurung, trekking guide of Malla Trek.

Residents of Limi VDC are also demanding for the last few years to open the VDC for tourists. It is expected that the number of tourists will double if they are allowed to visit this VDC.

As the local people have stopped their pastoral activities following the problems of grazing they encountered, there is the need to lift ban on foreign tourists, Chairman of Limi VDC Sunam Palden Lama told The Kathmandu Post.

Emergency service building completes

By a Post Reporter

BIRATNAGAR, Aug 7 -  Construction of additional Emergency Service building for Koshi Zonal Hospital in Biratnagar has ben completed at a cost of one million rupees donated by two social workers Rameshwor Lal Agrawal and Devenara Mundada.

Deputy Prime Minister Ramchandra Poudel inaugurated the additional Emergency Service building here on Sunday and honoured two social workers and liberal donors by presenting them with shawls.

The oldest hospital of the country was initially constructed with the joint efforts of the then Badahakim Jit Bahadur Khatri and Krishna Prasad Koirala, father of PM Koirala.   With the addition of 18 beds, the hospital contains 208 beds, according to hospital sources.

The government has provided 100 beds, Hospital Development Committee 90 beds and social workers Agrawal and Mundada 18 beds for the zonal hospital. About 290 people visit the OPD of the hospital and 80 to 90 patients visit the emergency ward daily, the hospital said.

Speaking on the occasion, DPM Poudel expressed the commitment of the government to assist in any venture that might be undertaken with the participation of the people aimed at fulfilling the aspirations of the people.

Vice-chancellor of B.P.Koirala Health Science Academy Dr Shekhar Koirala said building construction was not enough for the development of the hospital which needed proper management.

Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr Gyanendra Giri said the quality of the hospital services had increased 13 times over the last three months despite shortage of doctors and nurses.

The hospital which also provides treatment to Indian nationals lacks necessary technical manpower and has been unable to operate its equipment.

He also complained that cooperation was not forthcoming from the public.

The hospital has informed that more than 60 million rupees had already been invested for the hospital buildings and more than 50 percent of the total fund was contributed by the social workers of Biratnagar.

Meanwhile, AIDS Counselling Service has also been started at the zonal hospital with the joint initiative of the zonal hospital and District AIDS Coordination Committee, Morang since Sunday.

Itahari to preserve Naumati baja

By a Post Reporter

BIRATNAGAR, Aug 7- Itahari municipality has made arrangements for playing on a traditional Nepalese musical instrument called Naumati baja on the first day of every month according to Nepalese calender with a view to preserving and promoting the traditional musical instrument.  

This musical instrument is gradually vanishing from the eastern Terai districts of Nepal.

On the 1st of Shravan, a group of people went round Itahari town playing Naumati baja. DDC member Pramod Shrestha said Naumati baja was heard after 33 years.People used to hear the music of Naumati baja until 2024 BS at Itahari bazaar, Shrestha added.

The municipality has bought a set of Naumati baja at a cost of 35 thousand rupees with a view to playing it on the first day of every month and to protect the folk culture of Nepal. A group of darji (traditional tailors) who will be paid at the rate of 100 rupees per person for their service have been assigned for the purpose.

According to mayor Sarba Dhoj Sanwa, the attention of the municipality has also been drawn to the need for encouraging those who play Naumati baja and those who produce it.

Protest over Laxmanpur barrage in Australia

By a Post Reporter

KATHMANDU, Aug 7 - Members of the Nepali community in Australia staged a protest in front of the Indian Consulate in Sydney, Australia demanding the demolition of the controversial Indian-built Laxmanpur barrage and to compensate the victims of inundation on the Nepalese side on July 30, says a press statement issued here today by the protestors.

According to the statement, the gathering of Nepalis from cities like Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane also presented a protest letter to the Indian High Commission demanding India abide by and respect of international norms as well as human rights of the people living in the inundated areas.

The protest was coordinated by Indra Ban and Shamser Thapa from Sydney, Dr Pramod Adhikari from Canberra, D. Raju Adhikari from Melbourne and Dr Bhesh Bhandari from Brisbane, the statement adds.

file: aus words: 150

Ancient gate collapses

BHAKTAPUR, Aug 7 (PR) - One of the ancient gates around the historic city of Bhaktapur collapsed recently as a result of last week's incessant rains.

The 547 years old gate of Bharwachowk, made of mud and brick has survived greater calamities but this rain caused it to gave way. "It is due to the authority's negligence. We regret that the heritage built by our ancestors fell and nobody has shown interest to renovate it immediately," Devilal Bhandari of Dudhpokhari said.

King Yakshya Malla built it in 1453 BS as the western gate of Bhaktapur which also served as a checkpost around 300 years ago. There were about a dozen such gates to enter the city from other directions.

Historian Lilabhakta Munakarmi said," though Bhaktapur Municipality (BM) has taken initiative to rebuild it, Department of Archaeology is still passive." Mayor Prem Suwal said BM is to rebuild the collapsed gate in the current fiscal year. The BM aimed at renovating the  heritage in a traditional way. "Monuments with historical, religious and cultural importance must regain its traditional appearance," Suwal said.