Nepal is not in a position to be Sri Lanka - Dahal

Former Prime Minister and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that Nepal is not in a position to become Sri Lanka now. Addressing the handover ceremony of the officials of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, former Prime Minister Prachanda said that it was necessary to move towards the path of awareness by adopting various measures now.

He assured to do his best for the development of mountain tourism in Nepal. Highlighting his dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Tourism, he said that the ministry was not doing as much as it should have done.

Stating that the Ministry of Tourism was also discussed in the coalition of the current government, he said that the government should be serious about the Tourism Board. He said that the development of overall tourism should be prioritized by making timely changes in the old rules and regulations.

He said that he has been getting closer to tourism since the signing of the peace agreement and has also provided all possible assistance to the Nepal Mountaineering Association for consensus in this year's election.

He expressed happiness that the statue of his son late Prakash Dahal, who was also a climber of Mt. Everest, was being kept at Climbers Memorial Park in Kakani, Nuwakot. The mountaineering association has already invited him to unveil the statue. Chairman Prachanda clarified that he had not put any pressure on the Mountaineering Association to set up the statue.

The newly elected president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nimanuru Sherpa, said that the association, which is currently imparting training on mountaineering to about 2400 people annually, would now expand the training to areas such as Ruby Valley and Makalu. He said that he would open a new museum and help the climbers and their families by setting up a fund. He called for the provision of fast track at the airport and the creation of a dedicated lounge for the climbers in honor of the renowned climbers.

Outgoing president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, Santabir Lama, said that statues of the famous climber late Angrita Sherpa and the first female climber of Mount Everest, late Junko Tabei, would be erected at Kakani Memorial Park.

He informed that 37 cases have been filed during his five year tenure.

Vice Chairman of the Nepal Tourism Board Chandra Rijal said that the government should pay serious attention to the overall development of tourism.

The Nepal Mountaineering Association had handed over a letter to President Prachanda seeking financial assistance from the government as Shambhu Tamang, an advisor to Nepal Mountaineering and the world's first youngest climber, is currently undergoing treatment for cancer at Harisiddhi Cancer Hospital in Lalitpur.

At that time, President Prachanda had honored various people who had contributed to the association.