Little Nepal in Germany to promote tourism

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Feb. 5: After its tremendous success in Hanover Expo 2000, the Nepal Himal Pavilion will be stalled permanently in Vigent Martiniplatte, an hour walk from Munich, Germany.

This was informed at a press conference organised by Nepal Promotion Centre, Germany here today.
"It is a matter of pride that the 480 metric ton Nepal Himal Pavilion is going to be stalled permanently at Vigent Martiniplatte," said Amrit Ratna Shakya, a representative of the Pavilion.

Shakya said Heribert Wirth; founding chairman of Water for the World (WW) will cooperate to set up the Pavilion there.

The construction work for this purpose is at final stage. The construction is expected to be completed by October.

The Pavilion will be named Little Nepal and it will help bolster cultural and commercial relation as well as to promote tourism between Nepal and Germany. He appreciated artisans involved in the construction of the Little Nepal Pavilion.

Wirth said that German people would be interested to know more about Nepal after the Little Nepal Pavilion remained permanently in Germany.

German ambassador Rudiger Lemp said that the permanent stallation of the Little Nepal Pavilion would help bolster cultural and economic ties between Nepal and Germany.

About 3.5 million people had visited the Nepal Himal Pavilion in five month after the Expo in 2000.
There is a combination of Hinduism and Buddhism reflecting the tolerant and peaceful nature of the Nepalese. "It will help identify Nepal among the European people, the German Ambassador said.
The pavilion, covering 25 hectares of land, will contain the image Swoyambhu and Changunarayan, a garden of rhododendron, an enchanting pond and meditation centre. Visitors have to pay Euro two to three to visit the pavilion.

Shakya said that money raised from the visitors would be spent for the social works.

The WW is working for the use of water in rural areas in different countries including South Africa and American.