Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Happy vijaya dashami - 065

HAPPY VIJAYA DASHAMI - 2065 MAY HIS DEVINE CONSORT DURGA VAWANI BLESS ALL OF US WITH PEACE AND PROSPERITY... WITH NEW NEPAL...

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Sunday, September 14, 2008

Visitor Arrivals in August 2008 (by air only)

Visitor Arrivals in August 2008 (by air only)
September 1, 2008
News Release

The figures released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport revealed that the total visitor arrivals till August 2008 have reached to 224,679. The figures represent an increase of 2% in comparison to the same period last year. However, the arrival figures in the month of August, 2008 compared to the same month last year have decreased by 2% to 26,313. On the other hand, the tourism industry has shown some signs of revival in the form of softening in decline as compared to 19% decrease in July 2008.

India, the largest tourist generating market for Nepal, bounced back with a remarkable growth of 13%. The entire South Asian region has gained overall positive growth of 16% with Bangladesh (48%), Pakistan (45%) and Sri Lanka(31%).

Similarly, other Asian countries Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia have maintained the upward trend with 77%, 59% and 16% of growth respectively in each market. The figures also reflect the revival in the visitors' arrivals from the United Kingdom, one of the major source markets for Nepal with a notable growth of 35%. Australia and Norway have also maintained the increasing trend in the arrival figures.

However, other major markets such as Japan, China, and South Korea witnessed decrease by 9%, 35% and 13% respectively. European arrivals also suffered a significant decline with Italy (44 %), Germany (37%) and Spain (28%).

It is interesting to note that a total of 28082 tourists departed from TIA in August 2008, which is higher than the total arrivals.

NTB installs Tourist Information Board to disseminate information

NTB installs Tourist Information Board to disseminate information
Access to authentic information plays a significant role in organizing today's world. If furbished with sufficient and precise information, it becomes easier to accomplish tasks easily and in less time.

Foreseeing the role it could play in bringing a revolution in the tourism industry, the Ticker Board or the Satellite Control Board installed at NTB is the first of its kind to be introduced in the country. The board was inaugurated amidst a function by Mr. Prachanda Man Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board on August 30, 2008. Mr. Shrestha highlighting the need of such technology in today's world said the ticker board installed at the NTB premises is the collective property of the tourism industry of Nepal. Prior to this, Mr. Subash Nirola, Senior Director of NTB welcoming the guests said the installation of board would be helpful in information dissemination.

It helps to disseminate authentic information to domestic as well as international tourists in a visible and organized manner. The instant access of information to every passerby will also be an advantage. Today, being the era of media, news and reliable authentic information; its use will further enhance the self confidence of recipients in managing their daily life in a constructive manner.

Its size is 28X204 inches and has memory of 15,000 characters. This is the only board of its kind in Nepal with day and night visibility though installed outdoor.

Online Consular Registration(LOCATE) available for British Travellers

Online Consular Registration(LOCATE) available for British Travellers

The British Embassy Kathmandu has requested all the British travellers visiting Nepal to register online on its new system called LOCATE. They can register at www.britishembassy.gov.uk/nepal and follow the link for the online registration.

Tourist Visa Rules in Nepal ( Effective from 16 July 2008 )

Tourist Visa Rules in Nepal ( Effective from 16 July 2008 )
Tourists who visit Nepal must hold valid passport and visa.

Entry
Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal:
>>Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
>>Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
>>Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
>>Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
>>Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
>>Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
>>Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
>>Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)

b. Tourist Visa

Visa Facility

Duration

Fee

Multiple entry

15 days

US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple entry

30 days

US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency

Multiple entry

90 days

US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency



Tourist Visa Extension
>>Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day
>>Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).

Gratis (Free) Visa
Gratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries.
Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.
Transit Visa
Transit visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal's immigration offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US $ 5 or equivalent convertible currency.

For further information, please contact:
Department of Immigration Maitighar, Impact Building, Kathmand
Tel:00977-1-4221996 / 4223590 / 4222453
web site: www.immi.gov.np

ICIMOD launches 'Access and Benefit Sharing Knowledge Portal

ICIMOD launches 'Access and Benefit Sharing Knowledge Portal
(Kathmandu, Nepal, 30 July 2008) The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) announces the launching of a web portal on 'Access and Benefit Sharing from Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge'. Accessible at http://www.icimod.org/abs/, the portal contains information about Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanisms and processes being carried out as well as the development and implementation of ABS regimes in countries of the Himalayan region. The portal provides links related to the subject and aims to serve as a regional clearing house mechanism on ABS. Through this facility, ICIMOD hopes to encourage, enable, and support learning and foster multi-stakeholder discussions and sharing of the ongoing debates and dialogues at international, regional, and national levels on the subject.

Background
In simple terms, access and benefit sharing means that one person or entity (the user) obtains biological or genetic resources and or knowledge from another person, entity, or country (the provider) in exchange for benefits. The CBD aims to achieve the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge by facilitating access through prior informed consent of the provider. Article 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provides a framework for the implementation of ABS. All the countries in the Himalayan region are party to the Convention and are implementing ABS regimes.

Implementing the framework in practical and legal terms is complex and has raised concerns amongst stakeholders. The portal thus aims to raise awareness as well as provide a platform for sharing and discussing various options in dealing with ABS issues. ICIMOD, a regional intergovernmental organisation based in Kathmandu, Nepal, recently launched the portal as part of a project to promote ABS in the eastern Himalayan countries. The Centre has been working with 13 partners in four Eastern Himalayan countries - Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan – in seven project sites since 2005, to promote the ABS process. Plans are underway to expand the project's coverage over the long term to the entire Himalayan region, which covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan – ICIMOD's regional member countries.

Supported by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the BMZ, the programme reaches out to marginalised groups from grassroots-based mountain women, Dalits, indigenous peoples (Janajatis and ethnic minorities), to policy and decision makers to raise awareness and build the capacity of local institutions and individuals belonging to these groups. The aim is to implement sustainable ABS regimes. Through this programme which is part of a broader Biodiversity Conservation and Management Programme, ICIMOD aims to develop the competence of partner organisations by supporting activities such as capacity building, documenting and evaluating traditional knowledge, assisting in developing regulatory instruments, and a variety of information sharing platforms. The capacity of stakeholders and partners in the government and nongovernmental organizations is being enhanced who are imparting knowledge and skills related to ABS mechanism among the indigenous people and marginalized communities. Through this process, the ABS mechanism is gradually internalised among the communities as an opportunity for poverty reduction and biodiversity conservation.

Regional Context
The Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region, and more specifically the Eastern Himalayas, is one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots – a treasure house of genetic biodiversity and natural resources managed with rich base of traditional knowledge and skills. These resources provide the basis for building livelihoods for mountain communities.

ICIMOD believes that local communities and stakeholders can protect and manage their genetic resources and biological diversity. This will only be possible if the people who take care of the resources also get benefits from them and get full support from the local and national governments, civil society organisations and the international community.

For further information contact:
Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, Regional Coordinator, ABS – EH
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Environmental Change and Ecosystem Services, ICIMOD
Tel: 5003222, Email: koli@icimod.org, www.icimod.org

Ms. Nira Gurung
Communications Officer
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
Khumaltar, Lalitpur
GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-5003222, Ext. 115
Fax: 977-1-5003277
Email: ngurung@icimod.org, info@icimod.org
www.icimod.org

ICIMOD publications on-line -- download or order direct at http://www.books.icimod.org

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