Adventure Travel Guide training concludes

   A week long 'Adventure Travel Guide' training organized by SAMARTH-NMDP in association with Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) concluded in Kathmandu on June 20. Altogether 22 trekking guides associated with different trekking companies participated in the training. Theoretical classes were conducted at TAAN Secretariat in Maligaun while practical classes were held in Shivapuri National Park. Wilderness First Aid Training was also organized for the participants along with the Adventure Travel Guide training. Certificate of completion was handed over to the participants in the closing ceremony organized in Kathmandu. Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur Mahat handed over training certificates to the participants. Speaking at the program, Mahat urged all the participants make best use of the training. "Production of trained hands for the adventure tourism industry is always good news. I thank TAAN and SAMARTH-NMDP and TAAN for taking the initiative," he added. Similarly, Sudarshan Prasad Dhakal, director general of Department of Tourism, thanked the institutions involved in organizing the training. "We are in the process of amending different laws related to tourism sector. In the amendments, we will all the burning issues of the tourism industry," he added.

TAAN President Chandra Prasad Rijal said the training was TAAN's yet another effort to produce trained manpower for the adventure tourism sector. "We have been organizing series of trainings on mountain safety, photography, first aid, business correspondence and SEO, among others, for people involved in trekking industry. These training not only enhances their professionalism but also improves our service delivery," he added. "As guides are the true ambassador of tourism industry, their capacity must be developed to better serve tourists." He also said he was hopeful that the trained guides will bring to use what they learn during the training. The 'Adventure Tourism Guide' is certified by ATTA and it is recognized throughout the world. Similarly, the license of Wilderness First Aid Training is valid till July 2019. Earlier, Shital Chandra Dharel, coordinator of Training & Human Resources Department of TAAN, welcomed all the participants and said he was hopeful that the training has instilled confidence on guides to handle groups in even the harshest scenario. Representatives of Nepal Association of Travel and Hotel Management, SAMARTH-NMDP and ATTA were present in the program emceed by TAAN Secretary Mukti Poudel. TAAN 1^st Vice President Tej Bahadur Gurung, 2nd Vice President Ram Prasad Sapkota, General Secretary Karna Bahadur Lama, Joint Treasurer Krishna Man Shrestha and Executive Members Sarita Lama, Ngawang Nima Sherpa, Wangchu Sherpa, Tara Nath Lamichhane, Pemba Sherpa, Dawa Lama Tamang and Surya Bahadur Ghimire were also present at the program.  Source by TAAN.

              

Drive to protect Begnas from Jalakumbi launched

The Lekhnath Municipality, with the support of various organisations, has launched a campaign in a bid to free the Begnas Lake from the infestation of Jalakumbhi plants (water hyacinth) and keep its pristine beauty alive. 

Ceed Foundation and Hotel and Restaurant Association, Kaski are among those organisations cooperating with the Municipality in its efforts aims to control the encroachment of this aquatic plant on the lake. 

The campaign will run for two months, Foundation Director Damodar Bhakta Thapa said. The Municipality has released Rs 200,000 and Foundation and Association contributed Rs 25,000 each to launch the campaign. Every day, there will be around 40 people to remove the plants from the lake, he said. 

  

  

2nd National Canyoning Rendezvous concludes

Nepal Canyoning Association (NCA) organized 2^nd National Canyoning Rendezvous 2016 in Chahare Jharana of Nuwakot district on June 3 and 4.

The two-day event was promoted by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN).

TAAN 2^nd Vice President Ram Prasad Sapkota inaugurated the event amid a function held on June 3. Before the inauguration ceremony, locals with traditional musical troupe escorted the Chief Guest, other guests and members of the organizers, and media persons to the canyoning site.

Inaugurating the event, Sapkota said canyoning needs to be promoted effectively in national and international market as the adventure sport holds great tourism potential. He also said TAAN would do its bit to promote canyoning in Nepal.

TAAN Secretary Mukti Pandey was also present in the inauguration ceremony. He also enjoyed canyoning in the Chahare Jharana.

Later in the day, 2^nd Vice President Sapkota gave away certificate of participation to 25 Nepali as well as foreign canyoners.

Similarly, TAAN General Secretary Karna Bahadur Lama, who was the Chief Guest of the closing ceremony, said there are plenty of canyoning spots in the mid-hills yet to be explored. "It is good to know that people have started enjoying canyoning. Nepalis as well as foreigners are enjoying this adventure sport," he added.

Likewise, Rajendra Lama, president of NCA, said the rendezvous is their effort to develop canyoning as an adventure tourism product. "Along with promoting this adventure sport, we are also producing guides because we are going to need more guides when this sport becomes popular," he added. He also informed that NCA was training 10 guides in the Chahare Jharana.

Lama also thanked NTB and TAAN as well as other supports and sponsors who helped to make the event a grand success. source by TAAN 

   

Khatri, Syangbo win Langtang-Gosainkunda Half Marathon

 Khatri, Syangbo win Langtang-Gosainkunda Half Marathon

Bharat Khatri of Nepal Army and Phul Maya Syangbo have won the men and women categories, respectively, of 1st TAAN Langtang-Gosainkunda Half Marathon 2016 held in Rasuwa district on May 29. Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) organized the event on the occasion of 38^th Establishment Day to disseminate the message that the Langtang-Gosainkunda region, which was devastated by the earthquakes of 2015, is now safe for tourism activities. Khatri completed the 21-kilometer half marathon in 1 hour 22 minutes and 55 seconds. Similarly, Homlal Shrestha (1 hour 23 minutes 35 seconds) and Govinda Prasad Adhikari (1 hour 23 minutes 46 seconds) finished second and third, respectively.Similarly, Syangbo, who won the women's category, finished the race in 2 hours 7 minutes and 26 seconds. Kamala Tamang clinched the second position with the timing of 2 hours 18 minutes and 53 seconds while Binda BK, who clocked 2 hours 21 minutes and 17 seconds, finished the race in third position.

The 21-kilometer half marathon began from the sacred Gosainkunda Lake and went through Lauribina, Cholangpati, Chandanbari, Dimsa, Deurali and Ghattekhola before concluding at Dhunche. TAAN Secretary Mukti Pandey, who was a participant himself, inaugurated the half-marathon by cutting ribbon at the Gosainkunda Helipad.TAAN Executive Members Ngawang Nima Sherpa and Taranath Lamichhane also participated in the event as athletes.Assistant CDO of Rasuwa Deepak KC handed over checks, medals and certificates to winners and runners-up. While winners in both the categories took home medals, certificates and Rs 50,000 each, while 1^st runner-up and 2^nd runner-up in both the categories received cash prize of Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively, along with medals and certificates.Speaking at the program, Assistant CDO KC thanked TAAN for organizing such a grand event in Rasuwa district. "We are hopeful that the event will be of great help in promoting tourism in Langtang-Gosainkunda region and to disseminate message that the area is now safe for tourist activities," KC added. He also requested TAAN to give continuity to the event in future as well.

In her welcome speech, TAAN Executive Committee Member Sarita Lama said that the half-marathon was a part of TAAN initiative to promote tourism in Langtang-Gosainkunda region. "TAAN is with the people of this area. Together we should work for promotion of tourism products and services available here," she added.TAAN Executive Member Surya Bahadur Ghimire emceed the program. TAAN Executive Member Pasang Sherpa 'Sangam' was also present at the program. Likewise, Temba Singh Tamang, chairman of District Sports Development Committee, said they were eager to join hands with TAAN to give continuity to the event in coming years.Presiding over the program, 1^st Vice President Tej Bahadur Gurung, who chaired the program, said TAAN was encouraged by the immense success of the half-marathon despite short preparation time. "Support and cooperation extended by locals and concerned stakeholders of Rasuwa have encouraged us to make the event bigger in the coming years, Gurung said, adding. He further added that positive media reports of the event will relay the message all over the world that Langtang-Gosainkunda region is now safe for tourism activities. source by TAAN

  

Translocated rhino gives birth to male calf

          Translocated rhino gives birth to male calf

A rhino which was trans located to the Bardiya National Park (BNP) from the Chitwan National Park (CNP) in March has given birth to male calf. The rhino with ID 21010 gave birth to a male calf in the Guthi post area on Sunday, said Ashok Bhandari, assistant chief warden of the BNP. “The calf is healthy. The mother was one of the five rhinos translocated to Babai Valley of the BNP.The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), with the support from WWF Nepal, had translocated the rhinos as part of a plan to protect the endangered species and increase their number in potential habitats across the country. The DNPWC plans to move 30 rhinos to different habitats by 2018.
This is, however, not the first time a translocated rhino has given birth in Bardiya. Earlier, between 1986--when first rhino translocation took place--and 2000, a total of 27 calves were born in Bardiya. Thirteen of these endangered species were brought to the BNP from the CNP in 1986.By 2003, a total of 87 rhinos were translocated to the BNP and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, and over 70 rhinos were moved to Babai Valley.
Babai Valley that was once considered an ideal habitat for tigers and rhinos given the huge expanse of forest cover and grassland and limited human disturbance, however, gained notoriety for poaching, particularly between 2002 and 2006 when insurgency was at its peak. Almost all the rhinos that were translocated between 1986 and 2003 were wiped out.
But in recent years, conservation efforts with increased participation of government bodies, conservation partners, security forces and communities, Babai Valley’s habitats are gradually reviving. We have witnessed considerable increase in tiger and rhino population in and around the Babai flood plain areas, Bhandari said. “The birth of a male calf from a translocated rhino is encouraging. Nepal is home to 645 one-horned rhinos, with the CNP having the highest number of rhinos at 605 followed by the BNP at 29.

  source by Kathmandu post