KATHMANDU, Sept 28: Coinciding with the 39th World Tourism Day, Himalaya Expeditions -- the organizer of Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon and Lumbini PEACE Marathon -- has launched two new marathons with the objective of promoting tourism through adventure sports.
The first one is Pokhara Mountain Marathon, which will begin from Dhampus, connecting five Kots (forts) of Kaski before ending at Sarangkot. Similarly, Kathmandu Mountain Marathon will connect old Newar settlements of Kathmandu and Lalitpur. The marathon which will start from Chobhar will conclude in Godavari.
At the program, Himalaya Expeditions also gave away different prizes to individuals for their support and cooperation in the development of adventure sports tourism in the country. Sarad Pradhan (Nepal Tourism Board), Bikas Karki (Annapurna Post daily), Charles Haviland (BBC) and Kumar Shrestha (Journalist) received Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon Award. The award carries a purse of Rs 25,000 and letter of appreciation. Tirtha Tamang of Nepal Army received Olympian Baikuntha Manandhar Prize which carries purse of Rs 25,000.
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Former Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha and former tourism minister Ram Kumar Shrestha gave away the awards.
Similarly, Lumbini Peace Marathon Award was given to Shabbir Khan of Rupandehi, who has been protecting seeds of the old Bodhi tree, which was chopped down from the Mayadevi Temple premises, by producing saplings through tissue culture.
Speaking at the program, Bikram Pandey KAAJI, chairman of Himalaya Expeditions, said tourism will not be sustainable if local people are not benefiting. “That is why I always make sure that local people get some benefits from our programs and activities,” he added.
Likewise, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha said: “We all want to be like Buddha, but none of us is ready to give up material life like Prince Siddhartha. I am repeatedly raised this matter in the meetings of senior political leaders of the country.”
Similarly, former tourism minister Ram Kumar Shrestha called on entrepreneurs to come up with innovative products.
On the occasion, a portal for promotion of Buddhist tourism -- www.buddhistcircuits.com -- was also launched.
Himalaya Expeditions also awarded Republica Photojournalist Pratik Rayamajhi as well as three other photojournalists who participated in the Nepal Photo Contest organized by PJ Club Nepal.
