KATHMANDU, Sept 26: Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) has urged the government authorities concerned not to destroy trekking areas in the name of road construction.
Speaking at the public program 'Gantavya Jugal', a photo book of the main tourist spots of Jugal Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchowk on Monday, President of TAAN Nilhari Bastola alleged that that the local governments are destroying the 50-year-old mountain trekking destination in the name of building a road.
Royal Trek being promoted during Visit Nepal Year 2020
President Bastola objected that the Annapurna round, which was a 31-day mountain trekking destination, was demolished in the name of road construction and now it is just a 5-day trek. He said that the reputation of Nepal as the world's number 10 mountain trekking destinations cannot be erased in the name of building roads.
President Bastola complained that many mountain trekking destinations are disappearing at present. He urged those concerned to build roads by maintaining mountain trekking destinations that provide employment to thousands of citizens.
Bastola said that it would be appropriate for local governments to consult with TAAN while building roads in mountain trekking destinations or allocating a budget for the development of the tourism sector.
Nepal Mountaineering Association President Nima Nuru Sherpa said that if the government recognizes the mountain area as a national industry, it can contribute greatly to the economy. He said that the mountain industry is an industry that requires indigenous manpower, management and necessary infrastructure and does not need to ask for help from other countries for investment.
