New trekking route to attract more tourists

POKHARA, Aug 17 : A team of experts are studying a new trekking route that is expected to help shoot up tourist flow in the region. The team on Sunday hit the trail starting from Lo Manthang of Mustang to Lumbini. President Ram Baran Yadav, who was present in Pokhara on Sunday to inaugurate the trekking route, said he hoped that the new route would make a difference in the lives of the people of the region by generating employment opportunities and ensuring development through tourism. All the four major points along the route–Lo Manthang, Lumbini, Fewa and Rara–being of high tourist importance, their linking is supposed to highly benefit the entire tourism industry in the country. “This trekking route will eventually link several regions along the mountains, hills, and Tarai. This will definitely boost tourism in the country,” said Tikaram Sapkota, a member of Tourism Board. “We have started it as a campaign. The new trek also has religious, historical, cultural, and environmental importance. It is going to be unique, and it will help Nepal stand out further in the world tourism map,” he said at the inauguration function on Sunday. Stating that over 40 percent tourists who visit Pokhara come back again, he said, the new trekking route would increase the flow of tourists. A former member of the board, Ganesh Bhattarai, said that the new route is going to be highly beneficial for the locals as well. He also pointed out that the absence of basic infrastructures in Pokhara could serve as an impediment to tourism development. Experts are excited that the trekking route would also join Chure and Mahabharat hills. “We are yet unaware about the herbs found in between Fewa and Rara lakes. We could draw tourists showing such valuable herbs as well as wild animals,” said Bhattarai. Social activist Mahabir Pun and cricket player Paras Khadka were felicitated during the program. Speaking at the program, Pun said that growth in tourism could prevent Nepali youths from going overseas for jobs. “Youths need jobs. Such trekking routes could make a huge difference in the lives of local youths,” he said. Source: myrepublica.com