Preservationof cranes stressed

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BUTWAL, Dec. 31: Lumbini Crane Reserve Centre organised the 'Crane Festival' at Lumbini Monday.
The International Crane Reserve Centre in association with Lumbini Development Trust has been conserving cranes, an endangered species Uniquely Limited in Nepal, in five ponds constructed in an area of 100 hectares nearby the Lumbini Viswoshanti Stupa.

Some 300 cranes are estimated to inhabit in Nepal including in the places like Maidahawa, Jiginihya and Jagadishpur of Rupandehi district.

Speaking at the programme Lumbini Crane Reserve chairman Rajendra Suwal pointed out the need for cranes, which are said to have deep attachment with the biography of Lord Buddha and are often regarded as the symbol for peace and love, to be conserved.

The cranes are at the verge of extinction also because of the increasing damage of their natural inhabitants by overpopulation and encroachments, he said.

Pollution caused by different factories including Triveni Distillery in the cranes' shelter area and illegal poaching are other reasons for their decline, he added.

On the occasion crane reserve camps, training sessions and drawing competition were conducted for the students of different schools.

Monarchy for national unity

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 31: A talk programme was organised here today on 'Constitutional monarchy and democracy for national unity and integrity' to mark the 32 nd Auspicious Birthday of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

Speaking at a programme organised by the birthday civic main committee - 2059 talk programme sub-committee, chairman of the Raj Parishad Standing Committee Keshar Jung Rayamajhi said that Crown Prince Paras who is polite and a lover of sports is an inspiration for the young generation.
Saying that many a foreign leaders in meetings with him have mentioned that constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy is indispensable for Nepal, Rayamajhi said that the responsible political parties can not give a deviated meaning to the constitutional move taken by the King for the interest of the country and people.

President of the birthday Civic Main Committee and chairman of the function Rajesh Kaji Shrestha said the monarchy has been playing a courageous role in the history and the national unity and sovereignty will only be strengthened if the monarchy is stronger.

Ex- MP Hiranya Lal Shrestha said the country should be adorned like a common garden by strengthening national unity and resolution of problems through talks and consensus.

He also said Nepali monarchy is always honest towards the people and the country.

Former Vice Chancellor of the Tribhuwan University Mahesh Kumar Upadhyay, RPP central member Bhuwan Pathak, senior journalist Shrish Shumsher Rana said the role of the monarchy should be further strengthened at a time when the country stands on a new threshold.

Orientation on immunisation

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BHAKTAPUr, Dec. 31: District Public Health Office, Bhaktapur organised an orientation seminar concerning National Vaccination Day 2003 with the objective of ensuring success of the National Vaccination Days on January 4 and February 8.

On the occasion, Chief District Officer Ram Prasad Khatiwada said that women should be made more aware to launch the polio vaccination programme more effective.

Head of the district public health office Maheshwar Shrestha, Sagar Dahal of the Central Region Health Directorate and a host of other speakers also expressed their views on the occasion.

Nepal, US sign accord

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Dec. 31: Nepal and the United States today agreed not to surrender and extradite each other's nationals to any international court without prior consent of the other country.
Foreign secretary Madhuraman Acharya and American ambassador Michael E. Melinowski signed the non-surrender accord on behalf of their respective countries at a programme in the capital today, according to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Nepal and America have the highest regards for international standards of human rights and remain firmly committed to presenting anyone guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide, a US embassy statement added. "The accord in no way diminishes that commitment."

Instead, this accord reflects mutual concerns regarding the international Criminal Court treaty, including its possible implications for national sovereignty, the role of the United Nations Security Council and its lack of appropriate checks and balances, the statement reads.

Village tourism to be promoted in Pokhara

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POKHARA, Dec 31: Assistant Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ravi Bhakta Shrestha inspected the Chandralaksmi Creative Gram at local Sarankot, which is undergoing construction by Pokhareli Youth Cultural Family.

The village is established with an objective of developing Pokhara as the centre of attraction for the national and international artistes and geniuses to create their works in the peaceful and beautiful natural environment, it is said.

Assistant Minister, on the occasion praised the work of establishing such centre to encourage artists and talents in the country.

The Gram (village) construction committee chairman and poet Tirtha Shrestha requested the Minister to help for the construction of the Gram, which is the first of such sort in Nepal.

Join hands to strengthen tourism: Shrestha

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POKHARA, Dec. 31: Assistant Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ravi Bhakta Shrestha has said that as the deteriorating law and order situation in the country had affected the tourism business and made negative impact on the economic sector, the government, all the political parties and the civic society should join hands to resolve the problem.

Inaugurating a street festival organised here Monday, he said that the present time was no for holding discussions and there had been a great challenge in ensuring law and order.

Calling upon all the political parties to rise above personal selfishness and think in terms of the interest of the country, Assistant Minister Shrestha pointed out the need to ensure law and order so that elections could be held as early as possible.

Rajparishad member Ganesh Bahadur Gurung said that the street festival would help create congenial atmosphere for more domestic and foreign tourists to visit Pokhara.

Regional administrator Balkrishna Prasai and programme coordinator Prajwol Shrestha also spoke at the programme chaired by president of EBANA Pokhara branch Ganesh Bahadur Gurung.

Meanwhile, Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a reception in honour of Assistant Minister Shrestha.

On the occasion, he said that he was committed to resolving the problems faced in the economic sector on priority basis.