The Right Move

THE government has formally set up the offices of the regional administration in the five development regions of the country. As Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel said the other day, at a press conference, at his office in Singha Durbar, the new administrative move is intended not only for ensuring peace and security but also forging co-ordination among all the local bodies in the respective regions. "Now that the regional administrative offices are set up, their other tasks would be to forge co-ordination among the districts and zones for infrastructure building and other development activities," DPM Poudel said. Accordingly, the regional administrative system, which the government introduced through an ordinance some two months back by amending the Regional Administration Act 2048, is also expected to help the central administration of the government in executing its day to day affairs more smoothly. Since the current session of the Parliament has been disrupted by the opposition parties demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation over his alleged involvement in the Lauda Air deal, the ordinances for the new administrative system is yet to be approved by the Parliament. However, the government is mulling to take up necessary legal procedures in this direction. Since the ruling Nepali Congress has a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives, the two important ordinances will have a smooth sail through the Parliament if it comes up for discussion. Delay in the implementation of the above-mentioned ordinances that play a very important role in bringing about administrative reforms and in maintaining law and order situation in the country would cost dearly to the country. Therefore, it is a matter of great urgency. Realising the gravity of the situation, the government has established the regional administration in the five development regions and the armed police force. This is a significant move of the government to materialise its promises of maintaining law and order situation, establishing good governance and creating a corruption-free environment in the country. And more importantly, the new move has a greater significance in the present context when the Maoists insurgency is of a great concern.

For New Destinations

A NEWS report regarding the tourism potential of Ilam, a district of breathtaking natural beauty, has somehow hinted of the indifference shown by the country’s tourism authorities in exploring the new tourism destinations within the country. According to the report, it is rather unfortunate that not a single tourism related agency or organisation is operating in Ilam which is famous for tea and high hills from where the sun rise can be viewed. This is in stark contrast when just a little distance away across the border in India, tourism is gaining momentum. For example, the Sandakpur hill in the Indian side has been developed as an important destination for tourists willing to view the sun rise and the high Himalayan peaks including Mt. Everest. But in the Nepalese side even the concept of tourism is almost nowhere to be seen, not to mention the promotion of Sandakpur or Ilam from the tourism point of view. In this context, the local people being unaware of the Destination Nepal 2002 is but natural. What’s the use of such a mega event if no action plan is followed to explore and develop new destinations like Ilam. Rhetoric alone cannot lead us anywhere, what is needed is concrete plans and programmes.

In fact, with the changing time, the interests and attitudes of the tourists seem to be becoming different. At present, many tourists, disgusted from the noisy and congested surroundings of the urban tourist centres are slowly shifting their interest to the people and the cultures of the peaceful villages. Promotion of mere historical monuments and statues located at the urban areas is now insufficient to meet the demand of the tourists. And sustainable tourism is only possible when new destinations are identified and promoted backed up by adequate infrastructure especially in the far flung villages of the country. By doing so we will not only materialise the concept of village tourism but also of the sustainable tourism thereby take development to the villages. The fact must receive merit as survival in the competitive global tourism industry is not possible without innovative strategies.