KATHMANDU, Feb 6: A two-day 'Bird Watching Training for Trekking Guides' organized by Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) in association with Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) concluded on Monday.
The training was conducted by instructors from the BCN. While theoretical classes were conducted at Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) Secretariat in Maligaun, the organizers arranged birding tours in Taudaha of Kathmandu and Phulchowki hills of Lalitpur to give practical birding knowledge to the participants, according to a statement issued by TAAN.
TAAN General Secretary Karna Bahadur Lama handed over certificate of participation to all the participants.
Speaking at the program, Lama said that the training was a part of TAAN's initiatives to develop skilled workforce for the tourism industry. “We need quality workforce for quality tourism. This training is our efforts to develop and promote quality tourism in the country,” he added.
Similarly, Narendra Man Babu Pradhan, chief executive of BCN, said that birding is a growing segment in Nepali tourism industry. “I am hopeful that this training, albeit short, will help to heighten your curiosity toward birding. If you have passion, you can become a successful birding guide,” he told the participants.
Likewise, Laxman Prasad Poudel, an ecologist with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), said that he was hopeful that the training will encourage trekking guides to take birding seriously.
Shital Chandra Dharel, coordinator of TAAN's Training & HR Department, said that the training was TAAN's yet another initiative to enhance professionalism of trekking guides.
Earlier inaugurating the training, TAAN President Chandra Prasad Rijal requested the participants to make optimum use of the training for career development.
Similarly, NTB Board Member Krishna Kumar Aryal said that such trainings would help in promotion of quality tourism.
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