Nepal safe to visit: Sherpa

KATHMANDU, June 16: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kripashur Sherpa has said Nepal is safe to visit as only 14 districts out of 75 are affected and only around 20 percent cultural monuments and temples are damaged.

Speaking at the meeting of parliamentary Development Committee on Tuesday, Sherpa said situation of Nepal is not that worse as portrayed by international media. " Only four trails out of eight in the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) have been affected, 85 percent of tourist standard hotels are safe and adventure activities like rafting and paragliding have not been affected at all," Sherpa said. "We will request other countries to help Nepal by sending their citizens here on a holiday.Minister Sherpa also said a promotional campaign with slogan 'Spend Your Holiday in Nepal' will be launcehd soon.

Tourism Secretary Suresh Man Shrestha said they want to promote 'Earthquake Disaster Education Tourism' by showing heritage sites before and after the earthquake to visitors.

In order to ensure tourists about the status of famous trekking areas like Annapurna Circuit and Khumbu region, MoCTCA is carrying out safety assessment and audit of trails in those areas. "The World Bank is doing the assessment of Khumbu Region, while Samarth is making assessment of Annapurna Circuit. This will provide us international certification of the regions and we can assure the world that these areas are safe," Mohan Krishna Sapkota, spokesperson of MoCTCA, said.

For the safety of foreigners, the ministry is making it mandatory for trekkers to take guides with them. Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) has long been lobbying to implement the 'No trekking, without guide/porter' provision.

"For reconstruction of heritage sites and damaged tourism infrastructures, the government will provide soft loans and reduce the existing bank rates. We are also working on diversifying tourism products and promoting destinations in mid and far-western regions," said Sapkota.

Similarly, Tulsi Gautam, director general of Department of Tourism said they would soon re-route damaged trekking trails and open model tourist villages in five districts to retain entrepreneurs and skilled people in the village itself.

RECONSTRUCTION OF HERITAGE SITES TO TAKE 7 YEARS

Bhesh Natayan Dahal, director general of Department of Archaeology (DoA), said the department can complete renovation and reconstruction of historical monuments within five to seven years provided that they get sufficient budget.

"The finance ministry on Monday agreed to provide budget needed for detailed drawing of the damaged sites. Society of Nepalese Architects (SONA) will completing the works in a month," added Dahal.

He also said DoA the country has sufficient wood, oil stones and craftsmen to begin reconstruction works.

According to Dahal, around 250,000 cu.ft wood is required annually for reconstruction of damaged monuments. "We will buy wood from Department of Forest (DoF) as per the existing market rate," he added.

'CHINESE AIRCRAFT A BURDEN'

Minister Sherpa said China-made aircraft -- Modern Ark (MA) 60 and Harbin Y12E -- have become a burden for Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC).

Saying that the insurance premium of Chinese aircrafts are comparatively higher, spare parts are not easily available, and that NAC does not have sufficient manpower to operate those aircraft, Minister Sherpa said they have become a burden for the national flag carrier.

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