Whats the deal?

From what I read, it seems in todays world very important that other countries and organisations hail what you do... So our brothers, sisters and uncles and aunties in India think it is wonderful, even the US, which is like straight tunnel on the other side of the world thinks its fantastic and wait... even UN Mission In Nepal thinks it wonderful! How wonderful!

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This from the Himalayan Times today

India, the United States and UNMIN today heartily welcomed the agreement between the Nepali government and the United Madhesi Democratic Front.

Immediately after the deal was signed, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna issued a statement in New Delhi welcoming the deal. The statement added that the agreement had paved the way for constituent assembly (CA) polls in Nepal. India also urged all political parties in Nepal to honour their commitments and hoped that the latest agreement would be implemented in letter and spirit.

"It is up to the Nepali people to chart their political and social future. They ought to decide for themselves what sort of government they want in their country and elect the representatives of their choice. This is essential for a democratic, stable and progressive Nepal. At all times, India is ready to provide any assistance required in this regard," the statement added.

"We expect this agreement will lead the UMDF parties to end their Tarai bandh with immediate effect and will pave the way for the three parties to participate fully in the upcoming Constituent Assembly election on April 10," a statement issued by the US embassy here said.

It also said the US expects both sides will fulfil the terms of the agreement.

Chief of the United Nation Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Ian Martin "warmly" welcomed the agreement "Its implementation will be an important contribution to the election of an inclusive Constituent Assembly in a conducive climate," he said in a statement.

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Whats the deal?

What matters is that the people in the Terai are happy, and the citizens of Nepal heaved a sigh of relief (damn, I think the country is reduced to intermittent sighs of reliefs!) at some sense shown by our "amazing" leaders. India is not hurting, nor is the US, and definitely not the UNMIN. Seriously, what do they care? They only like to act interested. If it gets a bit uninteresting, they will turn and leave. Only the public have to live with it, every little incompetency shown by our "patriotic" leaders.

Terai Accord signed - demonstrations stop

This is the best piece of news I heard in some time from Nepal. Was just casually chatting up my good friend from the BBC in Kathmandu when I heard that the situation if getting better, as an accord has been signed. Various news report that life is coming back to normal in the Terai, which is the southern plains in Nepal.

From NepalNews.com :- Cabinet endorses the govt-UDMF deal: victory rallies in most terai districts

From BBC - Nepalese group set to end strike

Hopefully, this will mean that the prices of essential items will normalise again, and fuel will be available. Kathmandu has been crippled for a few months now.

Travel advice: You can still go to Kathmandu, this is a country in the making since April 2006. Its exciting, but be armed with local knowledge. The hassle factor is still high. Demonstrations and strikes can flare up anytime. You are not in danger, but avoid these places due to the inconvenience that it will cause... Definitely. You are better off in the mountains..

Environmental concerns in the Everest Area

TRAVEL ADVICE: Avoid big hotels in the mountains. They do not contribute to the local economy, the locals hate them, as they compete with their small lodges for the same tourists, they use up vast amounts of energy, and the money does not stay in the area.

Just read an article on the Himalayan Times about encroachment in the Sagarmatha National Park by commercial big wigs in the hotel industry. This really bothers me.

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The Sagarmatha National Park, a UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage site, which also houses the Mt Everest, is now ruined by encroachment for haphazard commercialisation.

Two resorts - Kong Dey View Resort and Farak-pa Village Resort that are being constructed in the national park area - were constructed in controversial circumstances.

The locals claim that the hotels are built on encroahed public land and are damaging the cultural and national landscape of the world heritage site.

"We are more than shocked to know that two grand hotels are being constructed in core area of Sagarmatha National Park. This is going to damage the nature and value of the national park," said Sonam Gyalzen Sherpa, chairman of the Buffer Zone Management Committee of the park.

He said the locals had been very conscious about the conservation issues for thousands of years but since the people from other areas have migrated to the sacred village for commercial purposes, the tradition to conserve nature has been destroyed.

According to the officials at Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Environment Impact Assessment for both the projects were passed in November and December, 2004, when Bachaspati Devkota was the environment minister.

On the other hand, assistant management officer at Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, Surya Bahadur Pandey admitted that it was the result of the government's mismanagement.

He said the two resorts came up at Sagarmatha as a result of government's mismanagement and the local people's tendency to encroach upon public land.

"It would not have been like that had the local people been aware of the public land and its significance," he said.

He added that many other big hotels there have violated the norms.

A UNESCO official said the UNESCO had also tried to raise the issue and had asked the DNPWC several times about the authenticity of the hotel but the government officials were found skeptical on this issue.

Elections Special

Well, I have been getting queries from people asking if it is safe to come in now to Nepal, specially since elections are coming up, and the US travel advisory warns of violence coming up into the elections in April.

Interestingly, the travel advisory can only quote incidents prior to September 2007, which is five months ago, yet uses sentences like "continues to experience sporadic incidents of terrorism in urban areas" or something to that effect, giving an impression that it is dangerous even now in Kathmandu.

Anyways, that is them, and they are allowed to think what they want. I personally think that they are too harsh on Nepal, but whatever...

So here is what I think.

The Americans are right in some counts. Election time in Nepal, specially at this crucial juncture, is going to be full of tension. There will be general strikes (almost a national past time in Nepal now) and demonstrations. Parties will try hard to get thier opinions heard and woo voters. There could be sporadic violence, specially in the Terai, which is already having problems.

If you intend to travel at this time in Nepal, remember:-

1. You are safe... tourists are given first rate treatment in Nepal, even curfews and strikes do not affect them.. When there is a strike, a airport shuttle service is offered, and even during curfews, tourists are seen walking around, enjoying the cleaner air in Kathmandu.

2. You are better off in the mountains. Nothing happens there, it is as if none of what is happening in the cities affects these areas. Go off to the mountains, enjoy your trek.

3. Most of what is happening is restricted to cities.

4. The biggest strain is the hassle factor. More strikes means disruption of transport. Be armed with local knowledge. Know when they are planned, and avoid them during your travels. Be wise and do not force yourself when things do not happen as you planned.

remember: plans seldom survive reality, change can be inspirational, embrace it!

Those were some tactics... overall, you are safe... in 15 year of turmoil in Nepal, very few tourists ever got in the line... and in most cases, out of their own stupidity or ignorance...

Tourists have never been targets in Nepal... no one wants to abduct you, or kill you... everyone realizes that you are a source of valuable income, and welcomes you in Nepal.

See you in the mountains!

Curfew in the Terai

So there is curfew again in the Terai... these are plains in the south of the country... remember that this does not affect travel to the mountains, and to Pokhara etc. Chitwan is slightly affected though.

Read the following article from www.nepalnews.com

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Local administrations have imposed curfew in different districts in Terai on the sixth day of indefinite bandh, which has terminally paralysed normal life there and in the eastern region on Monday as well.

Curfews have been imposed in parts of Bara, Parsa, Mahottari and Dhanusha districts after clashes intensified between protestors and security personnel. Dozens of policemen and protestors have been injured.

Officials have also declared Bara, Parsa and Dhanusha as riot-torn areas.

In Nepalgunj, the curfew clamped from Sunday has been continued on Monday.

Market places, educational institutions and private offices have been closed while vehicles remain away from the highways.

The effect of the strike is more severe today amid fears of fresh clashes between the police and bandh organisers. Reports say the local administrations of Terai districts have beefed up security.

The curfew in Saptari imposed since Sunday has been lifted while it continues in Nepalgunj. The agitators had burnt down a passenger bus in Siraha last night.

Similarly, the eastern districts also continue to be crippled by the indefinite general strike called by Limbuwans.

The United Madhesi Democratic Front called indefinite strike to put pressure on the government to meet its six point demands. The front has formed a team to hold talks with the government. The talks are yet to be held.

nepalnews.com ia/sd Feb 18 08

Places I have visited and some favourite

1. Aizawl, India


2. Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal


3. Kingston, Ontario, Canada


4. Phuket, Thailand

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