‘Keep people in centre of development activities’

Biratnagar, Apr. 9 (RSS): Former minister and member of the CPN-UML standing committee Jhalanath Khanal has stressed the need to develop people-oriented and effective infrastructures by making changes in the existing social and economic infrastructures of the country.

Addressing a gathering organised by the CPN-UML Morang district committee to mark the 12th Popular Movement Day here yesterday, Mr Khanal said that the wrong policy adopted by the Nepali Congress had given birth to the Maoists who had been disturbing the law and order situation in the country.

Member of the CPN-UML central committee and MP Pradip Gyawali said that a few elements were trying to spread animosity against the parliamentary system as the majority government of the Nepali Congress had failed to meet the aspirations of the people and the Popular Movement despite being in power for a long period.

Member of the CPN-UML central committee and in charge of the CPN-UML Koshi zonal committee Guru Baral expressed the view that an attack on democracy had been made as a result of increase in lawlessness and disturbances in the country.

At the function chaired by secretary of the CPN-UML Morang district committee Naresh Pokherel, secretary of the Sunsari district CPN-UML committee Dharma Niraula, Chief District Officer Baman Prasad Neupane and SSP Krishna Bahadur Rana also expressed their views.

Meanwhile in Janakpurdham, member of the CPN-UML Standing Committee Keshav Badal, addressing a mass meeting organised by the CPN-UML Janakpur Zonal Committee to mark the 12th anniversary of the Popular Movement here yesterday, said that the law and order situation was deteriorating in the country.

Stating that the ruling party should not be involved in corruption because of its majority, Mr Badal said that the persons involved in corruption should be punished in accordance with existing laws.

MP Mahendra Raya said that the government had failed to provide security to the people.

At the mass meeting chaired by secretary of the CPN-UML Janakpur Zonal Committee Gyan Bahadur Bhujel, alternate member of the CPN-UML central committee Ramchandra Jha, MPs Yog Narayan Yadav and Shankernath Sharma, secretary of the CPN-UML Dhanusha district committee Shital Jha, Tulasa Dahal and others also expressed their views.

Likewise, report from Biratnagar adds: Convenor of the eastern regional INSEC Devi Baskota inaugurated the talk programme on the years after the restoration of democracy and the present situation organised by Forum for Human Rights and Environment to mark the Popular Movement Day-2047 here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Baskota said that the present situation had developed as the state had failed to implement the powers given by the constitution in a proper and practical manner.

Vice-president of the Forum for Human Rights and Environment Yagya Prasad Sharma alleged that the ruling and opposition parties had failed respect the spirit of the constitution.

The forum’s secretary and advocate Tul Bahadur Shrestha stressed the need for all the political parties to give up selfish interests and find a solution to the present stalemate in the country.

Speaking from the chair president of the forum and advocate Chudamani Acharya said that everyone should sit down and find a solution to the present problem by accepting the constitution as the main law.

Secretary of the Morang district unit of Nepal Bar Association Khagendra Shrestha and treasurer of the Forum for Protection of Human Rights Keshav Prasad Gadtaula alleged that all the political parties had failed to provide a good government after the restoration of democracy in the country.

Scholarship targets to benefit students

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Apr. 9: Foundation for Social Conscientization (Chetana Purna Pratibha Pratisthan) - a newly created voluntary organisation has set up a trust to help girl students studying at the Siddhartha Secondary School in Hanspur VDC lying in the remote north-west end of the Arghakhanchi district. An agreement to this effect has been signed recently between the school authority and promoters of the Foundation. The Foundation has earmarked the seed capital to the tune of fifty thousand rupees for the trust.

Altogether three girl students belongings to the low income, deprived and underpriveleged bracket of the society are targetted to benefit from the scholarship to be provided through the trust every year beginning from the academic session this year.

Speaking on the occasion, Hanspur VDC chairperson Dal Bahadur Bhattare appreciated the initiative to help the needy students while the school headmaster Kulchandra Marasini congratulated the trustees for their efforts to extend assistance to the girl students studying in the school. School supervisor Lil Bahadur Raut also welcomed the step to provide support to the disadvantaged group through scholarship provision. Giving their views on the occasion, Mukti Rijal, Mohan Rijal - both promoters of the trust assured that the seed capital will be increased to widen scholarship coverage.

Ast. Headmaster of the school Ram Lal Sunar told that this would set example for others to emulate beside enabling students from depressed sections of the society to pursue their studies in the school.

Local social workers Narendra Raj Tandon, Krishna Bahadur Basnet expressed their views on the ocassion.

Bohara stresses dialogue to resolve problems

Pokhara, Apr. 9 (RSS): Chief of the CPN-UML organisation department and member of the CPN-UML standing committee Amrit Kumar Bohara has said that the Nepali Congress lacked a clear policy and commitment on which direction to move the country.

Speaking at a meet the press programme held under the convenorship of president of the Press Chautari, Kaski here today, Mr Bohara said as democracy is coming under attack of ultra-leftists and ultra-rightists, the ruling and opposition parties should seriously understand the main spirit of the popular movement and make improvements in the deteriorating situation.

Stressing the need for dialogue to resolve the problem of Maoists, Mr Bohara said that the government and the Maoists should play a positive role for this purpose.

Member of the CPN-UML central committee and MP Rajendra Pandey said that his party felt the need to amend some provisions of the constitution.

Seven seriously hurt in Maoists’ trap

Pyuthan, Apr. 9 (RSS): Six students and one businessman were seriously injured when they were caught in a booby trap laid by the Maoists at Bhanjyang, Khalanga-9 of Pyuthan district this afternoon.

The explosives went off when the students of Mahendra Secondary School, Khalanga, Biki B.K. (class two), Padma B.K. (class six), Dgan Bahadur B.K. (class nine), Radha B.K. (class four) and Maya Basnet (class five) were returning to their homes from school at about 3:45 p.m. The local businessman injured in the incident is Milan Shrestha.

The injured are undergoing treatment at a local primary health centre and Pyuthan district hospital.

Meanwhile in Shanischare, police intervened in the first district conference of the CPN-Maoist affiliated All Nepal Farmers Association at Shanischare, Morang this morning and arrested 45 persons, 22 of them women.

The security personnel lobbed 12 tear gas shells and fired around 50 rounds in the air to disperse workers of the association who numbered about 2,000.

The organisers enticed the villagers to attend the district conference telling them that besides speeches by central leaders of various political parties, cultural programmes would be organised to entertain the participants, police said.

Time to investigate the benefits of conservation

Dr. Chandra Prasad Gurung

Dr. CHANDRA PRASAD GURUNG is a name that has won spurs in the world of conservation. The brain behind the smash hit story of Annapurna Conservation Area Project, he has to his credit many other successful stories of amalgamating tourism and bio-diversity protection. A Doctor of Philosophy in Geography from University of Hawaii, USA, Gurung has authored well over two dozen books on tourism and conservation. Currently the Country Representative of World Wildlife Fund Nepal Program Office, the 52-year-old conservationist from the scenic Sikles Village of Kaski District in west Nepal spoke to The Rising Nepal’s NAVIN SINGH KHADKA at his office last Sunday. Excerpts:

Around 20 per cent of the country’s area is conserved. What is the good news for an average Nepali?

Well, I believe there are a number of benefits out of the protected area systems that have been established in Nepal. In the international field, Nepal is a small country that has been able to set aside 18 per cent of its land into protected area system. That shows that Nepal is committed to bio-diversity conservation. That is very important. Secondly, the protected area system is not only for wild animals and for the sake of elite to enjoy the wilderness but they are also accessible to normal tourists who bring in money for the local community. Thirdly, because of the protected area system, the rate of deforestation is minimised. As a result, that has protected the watershed of the area ultimately benefiting the locals saving them from siltation, soil erosion, among others. The locals also need fodder and fuelwood. Protected area system lead to sustainable harvest and management in the buffer zone and conservation areas. And also these areas generate revenue for the government.

When we talk about the protected areas, there comes issue of park and people conflict.

What you say is correct. But, we have been addressing that issue since 1985 when we first started the Conservation Area Project. I think on the part of the government it was a very big risk allowing an NGO like the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) to implement the conservation concept and also allowing the trust to collect an entry from visitors and plough back hundred percent of the income for the local community. Before that, when the national parks were established in Nepal, we were not addressing the needs of the local communities. Regrettably and unfortunately, we had the evidences of loss of lives due to the conflict between forest guards and local communities. Now, in Chitwan for example people are getting 50 per cent of the revenue generated from tourism. Last year the local community got 25 million Rupees. And people are allowed to have the community forestry practice in the buffer zone. Some of the successful examples are Baghamara and Kumruuch. So, the whole perception of conservation has changed. I think Nepal has become a leader in community-based conservation.

You mentioned the success story about Chitwan. But we get to hear from the grass root locals from Chitwan itself that they have not had the fruit of conservation. What has been your organisation’s experience there?

In this regard, the warden has to play an important role by going directly to the people and telling them how much money has been allocated for them and not only for the buffer zone council members. If the information is not taken down to the grass-root level, the problem occurs. It is time that the people knew that the money that has been set aside by the government is for all and I think we need to investigate and find out what is happening.

Does your organisation’s headquarters make it a point to check if the locals have benefited? Or do they remain complacent at the conserved lush jungles?

In that case WWF is very clear. Our president Katherine Fuller has visited some of our famous protected areas many times. Same is the case with our Director General Dr. Claude Martin. When Annapurna was proposed as a conservation area, many donors hesitated to come in. But it was WWF that felt then that unless community-based conservation is practised, Nepal’s protected area system’s future may be in dark. As a result, WWF committed US$ one million for the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. Therefore whichever new areas WWF has been working, whether it is the buffer zone or conservation area, our approach has been the same — community based conservation. Practice community-based forestry so that the locals can benefit out of it.

Anything new WWF is doing in Nepal?

The latest project that WWF is undertaking with the government is called Tarai Arc Landscape (TAL). It is a very ambitious project that will connect 11 protected areas between Nepal and India. These include famous protected areas like Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal and Corbett National Park in India. It covers an area of 30,000 square miles with many people living in it. The idea is to protect wildlife and to give economic benefit to the local community. A protected area as an island is not enough sufficient enough to survive in the future. Therefore, there needs to be a corridor and that is where WWF is working with the government. These corridors will be used to connect the protected areas. But I want to make it clear that these corridors will not be declared as protected areas. They will be protected and managed by the local community through the community forestry system. And so while they manage that they will get economic benefit out of it. But, for that community forestry is not enough. Eco-tourism will have to be promoted and we will need alternative source of energy and trained local forest users group to build their capacities. That is where WWF will work.

Tourism has been over-concentrated at certain areas in the highlands and in the Tarai. What could be done about this?

I think the biggest problem is we do not have a long term tourism plan in Nepal. Tourism can be a double-edged sword. If you manage properly with one million tourists, its impact would be minimal. But if its not managed properly, a couple of hundreds of tourists will have tremendous effect. For example, in the early 80’s Annapurna area was known as toilet paper trail even if there were only 14,000 annual visitors in the area then. But now when the same areas gets more than 70,000 tourists, it has become a model for eco-tourism destination. But none of the 16 protected areas in our country has tourism plan. Therefore, the Department of National Parks and the WWF have started making tourism plan of certain protected areas. We have already finished the plans of Royal Chitwan National Park, Royal Bardiya National Park, Kanchenjunga Conservation area. And now we are working with SNV for the tourism plan in Dolpo. And these plans have focussed on two things — Biodiversity conservation and benefit local community through poverty reduction.

So many donors are getting into tourism and conservation. Will there not be duplication of works as has been witnessed in the past?

Instead of going independently, we are working together with the government, grass root level and other donors. WWF is the lead agency in biodiversity conservation. So definitely, we would like to work for the poverty reduction while maintaining the bio-diversity of the area. The National Planning Commission has a role to play while asking the donors to work in the areas that have never had foreign assistance.

Some areas like Koshi Tappu have been having tussle between tourism and conservation. How can this be sorted out?

According to the traditional views, tourism is perceived as an activity to bring more and more tourists for economic benefits while conservation is only for wildlife irrespective of the rest of the things. I think that perception now has changed. Like Laxmi Prasad Devkota had said, what is the use of scenic nature of wilderness when there is no one to admire the beauty? But tourists too need to be educated about conservation. A well managed tourism can really help to restore the biodiversity and manage the natural resources. There has to be a balance on both the issues. The private sector can play key role in this regard.

Despite the fact that the country has so many conserved areas, it still does not have the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) Act. How can conservation be a complete story that way?

I think it’s a very important issue. WWF together with the government has already prepared the necessary document for the CITES Act. That was two years ago. Because of the lack of CITES Act and Regulations, and despite the government’s achievement in terms of establishing protected areas, there have been issues like illegal trade of tiger bones and shahtoosh, among others, using Nepal as a transit point between India and Tibet. In the absence of the Act, these activities are giving the country a very bad name even if there have been so many successful conservation stories. The government should be careful and must come up with this regulation very soon so that it will enhance the authorities meant to check the smuggling of wildlife products.

What is your organisation’s mission in the country?

WWF’s ultimate goal in the country is biodiversity conservation through the communities and this will also help into conservation of some of the important species we have in Nepal. But, this is not only for enjoyment of the elite people but also for the local communities. The Tarai Arc is a long term vision. If it comes into reality it will be one of the biggest showpiece.

Rays of culinary delight

By Prem N. Kakkar

There is always a ray of hope for those desiring for the gastronomic delights. The titilation of the tongue is a vital aspect of the human beings. It goes as the way to a person’s heart is through the stomach. A contented wife know this and even the husband when he takes his better half out to dinner. Without this fun of savouring a variety of exotic food, life would not be as interesting as it is. After all, the hectic pace of life is centred on earning more and relax at the table over an assorted variety of dishes. A satisfactory meal is one that gives the best remedy for a contented soul.

Being in the restaurant business may be a glamorous profession for Basu Ghimire, who manages the Naked Chef, considered to be a place to be in when the appetite for the best is aroused. Situated in Nagarkot, famous for its wonderful views of the Himalayas and almost unpolluted environment, the Naked Chef has to offer its guests what makes things ticking.

The restaurant is not the product of a moment of time’s reflection, says Ghimire, It took a long time—eight years, to be exact—for the dream to materialise. Ghimire who admits spending almost all of his earnings, in the early days after he landed up in Kathmandu and got a job, on restaurant of various shades and hues.

The question was: Why do some restaurants click while others flop. Some restaurants with excellent décor are not able to attract customers while others with looks sans cleanliness continue to do business. The realisation that dawned was the food itself or rather the cuisine as Ghimire stresses.

Spread on a 19 ropani area, the Naked Chef just covers 1.5 ropani. It is in a five storey building with the entrance right on the road itself. What may seem striking for a client is the wood work mainly of unfinished ones. It is trying to emphasise that tourism entrepreneurs must live in harmony with nature. Ghimire has a point to make in that nature which financially benefits the tourism entrepreneurs must be given due priority in the scheme of things.

The food at naked chef served comes not only from the popular recipes but ones which have been given an added flavour coming from the years of research and analysis. And soothing music also has a role to play.

The restaurant was opened with the sole purpose of providing cuisine of the best quality at the most reasonable price. An idea, as the entrepreneur himself suggests, is to bring even the most unique foods to the table in the most affordable and pleasing manner.

The curiosity regarding the name Naked Chef must be a prominent one in the minds of many. It might even suggest playground for obscene activities. But contrary to all that, it has transparency on what is being cooked and how. The ingredients and the actual work of cooking is clearly visible from the glass separation.

Landing at the restaurant in the afternoon, away from the heat and dust of the city, is a wonderful experience. Tibetan music in the background adds a touch of serenity and also of nostalgia.

When it comes to food the ingredients must be the best, says Ghimire, well renowned for his ability to understand the cuisine that leads to the heart’s contentment. Finger chips without peeling the potatoes dipped in mayonnaise does make it different from the usual one with tomato ketchup and chilli sauce. The emphasis is on American mayonnaise that gives a buttery flavour. It’s the taste that counts most but the presentation aspect too has its own say.

For not using local products, he has to say that the quality does not meet the needs. Once the local food processors realise this, he hopes to see better Nepalese products and so the dependency on foreign products may be reduced. "And there can be no compromise of quality," he asserts.

Expressing it in words might not be enough to say what Seared breast of chicked stuffed with Nak cheese, creamed spinach and mushroom sauce tastes like. Yet, it is a must among all the items displayed in the menu.

In fact, in the hierarchy of things, the tea tasting ‘ceremony’ has it own unique place. It’s one thing we Nepalese surely don’t go for. For the majority CTC or dust tea dominates the whole show. Going for the leaf variety or black tea is not for most of the tea lovers. Milk, tea leaves and sugar boiled together with some ginger or masala together makes the brew that is approved by the Nepalese palate.

It is only by going through the ritual of tasting a variety of brew that one learns what genuine tea must taste like.

Muesli with curd may be the best way to start the day. The creamy taste invigorates the whole body system to meet the challenges of the day.

When it comes to salad, the non-fatty stuff, olive oil receives the priority. Cholesterol is of concern and olive oil surely takes the burden off the chest.

On why the inclusion of momo, thukpa, chowmein and fried rice in the menu, Ghimire has to say that the local customers just opt for these and may not want to go for other gourmet delights if they are in hand. But dal, bhat, tarakari both of non-veg and veg. variety are there as a standard attraction. Gundruk also has a celebrated presence in the menu.

What’s more, an Irish coffee does soothen the nerves for those who feel the need: the creamy top with a dash of whisky, Scotch, of course. One too many could send you into a stupor.

Pasta with smoked ham, capsicum and mushroom could turn out to be a meal to whet the appetite.

Warm chocolate or Apple crumble that melts in your mouth could be a better rounding off of a fine meal.

The head chef, Shiva Hari Ghimire is satisfied that customers have praised his cooking. He has had many photographs taken with guests and fears that he will now have hundreds of snaps to store. He agrees that cooking is not an easy job but the work done that satisfies the customers gives great pleasure. He even allows the guests to cook meals their own way, but of course for a price.

The bar is well-stocked—from local ones to imported varieties.

What an Australian tourist, Holly Savage, had to say was quite relevant. Four days in Kathmandu, and food at Naked Chef has the punch, she says. "Nagarkot is lovely and so is the food at naked Chef. At par with international standards."

It is not only a restaurant but accomodation is also available. 16 rooms with attached bathrooms and 24-hour running hot and cold shower does satisfy the demand for those who want to stay overnight in Nagarkot. Price varies between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000. Dormitories are cheap at Rs. 100 per bed a night.

For consumer-oriented marketing

By B. M. Dahal

Despite Nepal’s increased participation in the international travel and tourism fairs and marts, there is increasing realisation among people involved in the travel and tourism business that there must be a more effective consumer-oriented marketing and promotional campaigns in major tourist generating markets.

They say only such efforts could help attract more foreign visitors to the country. They point out that only innovative and aggressive marketing approaches can promote Nepal’s vast tourism potential in the world tourism market.

"We have to go for consumer-oriented marketing strategies to generate awareness among the consumers about our products and facilities," says Yogendra Sakya, a newly nominated member of NTB and former President of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN).

Sakya, however, says that travel trade fairs and marts are also effective forums for travel agents and tour operators to develop business contacts with the travel trade people abroad.

"Travel and trade people often opt for fairs and marts mainly because of the lack of sufficient budget to go directly to the consumers. NTB having some budget, I think, it has to go for consumer-based marketing," says Sakya, who is also the former President of Nepal Incentive and Convention Association (NICA) that promotes Nepal as a MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition) tourism destination.

He further says that NTB could join hands with international online airlines and foreign tour operators selling Nepal for launching consumer-oriented marketing and promotional activities in major tourist generating markets.

"Budget constraint may hamper us from conducting such programmes in several markets as it is more expensive compared to other promotional activities," he said. But he emphasised on starting with the Indian market as a pilot project with the limited budget that is available.

NTB has set aside a budget of around Rs. 79.9 million for International Marketing in its Annual Operation Plan 2000-2001. It spends the budget for developing promotional collateral, advertisements, fairs, marts and sales missions, familiarisation trips, marketing researches, among others. Out of the total budget allocated under the heading of International Marketing, it has set aside Rs. 33.05 million for organising travel fairs and marts and sales missions in different parts of the world.

Prakash Shrestha, First Vice President of HAN, is of the opinion that Nepal has to change its ‘traditional’ marketing strategy of participating in the fairs and marts.

"Only consumer-oriented marketing activities can help revitalise the country’s tourism industry. So, time has come for us to change the traditional marketing approach considering the changing world situation," Shrestha suggests.

However, Ram Kaji Kone, Treasurer of Nepal Association of Travel Agents (NATA), says that the participation in the travel fairs and marts has been contributing to the promotion of Nepal’s tourism potentials abroad.

"I don’t know how sincerely NTB is promoting tourism at fairs abroad. But this is one of the most effective ways to build up business contacts between travel agents of Nepal and other countries," Kone says.

Tek Bahadur Dangi, Director at the Marketing & Promotion Division of NTB, says that the travel fairs and marts have been effective forums to sell Nepal abroad.

"Fairs and marts are one among many tools of effective marketing since tour operators, consumers and journalists from the tourist market participate. Nepal’s participation has been directly beneficial for both the individual companies and the country’s tourism industry," Dangi claims.

Under the leadership of NTB, many travel trade people of the country participate in a number of trade fairs and marts in various parts of the world, including India, every year.

According to Dangi, NTB participates in more than 15 such fairs and marts organised in various countries. "More and more travel trade people have been showing interest to participate in such fairs nowadays. This shows that such participation has yielded benefits."

He further says that when the Nepalese companies and NTB stop taking part in the fairs, it may directly affect the country’s tourism business.

"We have to apply all the tools of marketing, including participating in the fairs, to promote our tourism," he says.

He, however, informs that NTB has been promoting the country through advertisements in India, which is a major tourism market for Nepal. "We have wanted to conduct similar promotional activities in other tourist generating markets but it is too expensive to directly address the consumers there because of budgetary constraints."

He says NTB has also launched promotional activities in new markets in the eastern European countries such as Poland and Czech and Slovakia.

He says that NTB has also made available promotional materials like CD-ROM to different Nepalese embassies and consulates abroad.

New Year in Thimi

By Ujjwal Prajapati

The New Year Day has its own importance and many celebrate it in their own ways. The Newars of Thimi, Bhaktapur too observe the New Year’s arrival in a special manner.

The potters of Thimi welcome the New Year in a colourful environment. They celebrate a jatra (festival) named Bal Kumari Jatra which is gradually attracting other Kathmanduites.

The festival is celebrated to ensure a happy and prosperous New Year through the providence of Goddess Bal Kumari, Bhairav’s spouse or the consort.

When the clock strikes twelve on the New Year eve a long procession of people with torches go round the locality. Lights are brought from the temple Bal Kumari and go around the area. The scene is really eye catching and the people remain awake to enjoy its beauty. There is a belief that if these lights are put off or extinguished people have to face evil consequences.

On the night of the procession, the devotees remain lying on their backs, in front of the temple. They place a number of small burning oil-lamps on their chest, forehead and legs.

On the following day - the New Year Day - processions are taken out in the village which go round it. Groups of about 32 men carry each portable sanctuary protected by a large handmade umbrella. While the procession is on, the participants throw handfuls of yellow ochre powder on each other’s faces and clothes. This is considered a homage paid to the divinity wishing for a Happy Year.

The potters carrying the sanctuary are a little intoxicated. Lots of people see the procession from the rooftops. The people viewing the jatra from the houses and roadsides throw the chhapatis made from rice, coins, and drops of water to the god to pay their homage toward the divinity.

As a part of their culture, they take chhyang (the popular local beer made of fermented rice or millet) and raksi (home brewed wine) is taken to observe the festival. Drinking during the jatra is a common tradition.

The procession ends when it stops in front of the temple dedicated to the elephant headed god Ganesh - the son of Shiva and Parvati - who is able to decide whether human enterprises should be successful or not.

Another important event on the same occasion is the jatra at Bode, a place north of Thimi. The significant aspect here at Mahalaxmi temple, at Bode Thimi is that a devotee pierces his tongue with an iron spike. This penance is believed to bring him much merit in particular if the spike, when pulled out, leaves a not bleeding tongue.

These jatras attract a lot of people in this area. They have become a way of life of the Newari people.