The southern belt of Nepal is a flatland called the Terai, and since the maoists went overground, some outfits here went underground... calling for Terai Liberation... if you ask me, i am not sure what exactly these guys want anyways, except that in an environment of political confusion, there is bound to be elements who want to benefit from it... personally, I think it is only this....
But the local populace are troubled all the time, according to this report on www.nepalnews.com. The local 'liberation' outfits abduct people, extort money, and roam about. Its pretty lawless down there.
I should not say this, but I am glad these troubles are not hitting any of the tourism areas... needless to say, tourism could expand in other areas too, if these stupidities can be controlled.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Its definitely better in the mountains
Ok, I am biased... cannot help it... am a mountain lover....
The truth is that the situation is much much better outside the cities. (not so) strangely enough, the Maoists are all in the city now, crying themselves hoarse in a protest rally, now that they have come over-ground.
The villages are vibrant, people look much more happy now that they are not between the army and the Maoists. In fact, this year would be the first time in years that people did finally go back to the villages for the big festival of Dasain, which just ended yesterday... now that they are sure that they will not be abducted by Maoists and forced to join the movement.
Parts of the Terai still has its problems, and situations can be a bit volatile, but in the regular trail of Chitwan, there are no issues and travel is hardly impeded.
The truth is that the situation is much much better outside the cities. (not so) strangely enough, the Maoists are all in the city now, crying themselves hoarse in a protest rally, now that they have come over-ground.
The villages are vibrant, people look much more happy now that they are not between the army and the Maoists. In fact, this year would be the first time in years that people did finally go back to the villages for the big festival of Dasain, which just ended yesterday... now that they are sure that they will not be abducted by Maoists and forced to join the movement.
Parts of the Terai still has its problems, and situations can be a bit volatile, but in the regular trail of Chitwan, there are no issues and travel is hardly impeded.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Arrivals are increasing steadily
NTB has announced that arrivals have increased in this month compared to a similar period last year. I am not surprised that this is in double digits, 27% it says. You got to remember that tourist arrivals had dipped to 1988 levels in 2001, taking tourism arrivals back by 13 years... now that is looking up, it is hardly surprising that we have double digit growth.
But the growth is encouraging, I can ensure you. We have more and more enquiries and more people are interested to come in. Looks like the image of Nepal is getting better, even with its internal political instability.
Check out this article in the Himalayan Times:
But the growth is encouraging, I can ensure you. We have more and more enquiries and more people are interested to come in. Looks like the image of Nepal is getting better, even with its internal political instability.
Check out this article in the Himalayan Times:
| Tourist arrivals increase |
| Himalayan News Service |
| Kathmandu, October 3: |
Maoists ensure safety of Tourists
At last, there has been some premptive action in Nepal too... NATO has met the Maoists to ensure the safety of the travellers. Dev Gurung, a high level politburo member ensured that travellers are safe. The following article is from the Himalayan Times
| NATO delegation meets Gurung |
| Himalayan News Service |
| Kathmandu, October 3: A delegation of Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) met with Dev Gurung, a politburo member of CPN-Maoist and requested him to ensure smooth and free movement of tourists during strikes. During the meeting, Gurung assured NATO that his party does not have any intention to harm tourists during protests and is very positive and supportive towards promotion of tourism industry. “Our party did not harm a single tourist even during the insurgency. Neither do we have any strategy to hamper tourists and disturb their movement in the days to come as well,” he said. Gurung also underscored the need to achieve a political stability to create an enabling atmosphere to flourish tourism industry. On the occasion, the NATO delegation informed Gurung that with an announcement of fresh protest programmes by Maoist, foreign tour operators and visitors have become nervous and are in dilemma of going ahead with their planned visits to Nepal. The team also showed serious concern over the possible cancellation of trips by tourists. |
Monday, October 01, 2007
4-6 Oct Strikes are off!
A blessing for the tourism industry, all Nepal lovers have been spared the pains of another 'hurdle' in the quest to discover this country. The general strikes which were announced by the Maoists throughout the country (read business and transport closures in the main thoroughfares of cities but nothing much elsewhere) have been called off. Read more about it here on www.nepalnews.com
There are still other hurdles though. Regular rallies, some supporting the November elections and some denouncing them, some asking for an postponement, depending on who is making the call, has meant that transportation in the city is a nightmare after 11 am, generally the time when the Nepalese people have a hefty meal of Dal Bhaat (Rice with lentil soup and vegetables or meat) and start their political day. Young ones get on top of buses (generally without paying the owner of the vehicle) and chant slogans.
Here's a joke I heard recently, told by my good friend. As soon as Prashant Tamang (a young guy of Nepalese origin from Darjeeling in India) was announced Indian Idol 3 at about midnight some days ago, Kathmandu erupted into joy, and rallies were taken out in the middle of the night with chants of 'Prashant, Prashant...Prashant' ranting in the air.... very soon the joyous people got bored of the same chants and a new group started a new chant.... 'Prashant Tamang Nepal ko hoooo....' (Prashant Tamang is from Nepal....) .... this continued for a while until someone else started the extremely popular.... 'Gyane chor desh chodh' (Gyanendra thief, leave this country..)
It does not take much to bring us Nepalese to a political frevor. Pure boredom will do.
Jokes aside, the advisory then will be:-
There are time hurdles in Kathmandu. Thankfully all travel from Kathmandu into the trekking areas or other cities have early morning options. Take them. Do not wait for us to finish our meals. It then time for us to roam the streets feeling very politically aware.
There are still other hurdles though. Regular rallies, some supporting the November elections and some denouncing them, some asking for an postponement, depending on who is making the call, has meant that transportation in the city is a nightmare after 11 am, generally the time when the Nepalese people have a hefty meal of Dal Bhaat (Rice with lentil soup and vegetables or meat) and start their political day. Young ones get on top of buses (generally without paying the owner of the vehicle) and chant slogans.
Here's a joke I heard recently, told by my good friend. As soon as Prashant Tamang (a young guy of Nepalese origin from Darjeeling in India) was announced Indian Idol 3 at about midnight some days ago, Kathmandu erupted into joy, and rallies were taken out in the middle of the night with chants of 'Prashant, Prashant...Prashant' ranting in the air.... very soon the joyous people got bored of the same chants and a new group started a new chant.... 'Prashant Tamang Nepal ko hoooo....' (Prashant Tamang is from Nepal....) .... this continued for a while until someone else started the extremely popular.... 'Gyane chor desh chodh' (Gyanendra thief, leave this country..)
It does not take much to bring us Nepalese to a political frevor. Pure boredom will do.
Jokes aside, the advisory then will be:-
There are time hurdles in Kathmandu. Thankfully all travel from Kathmandu into the trekking areas or other cities have early morning options. Take them. Do not wait for us to finish our meals. It then time for us to roam the streets feeling very politically aware.
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