Lamjung, April 19

Department of Tourism, Samarth-Nepal Market Development Programme and Annapurna Conservation Area Programme have jointly started a field study of the damage caused by last year’s devastating earthquake along the Annapurna Trekking Circuit as part of the government’s initiative to take stock of the loss and to plan reconstruction.

Earlier, Miyamoto International had made an aerial observation of the area and submitted a report to the Ministry of Tourism stating that three per cent of the total infrastructure along the route had been damaged in last year’s quake.

Miyamoto International is a global earthquake structural engineering and project management company providing critical services that sustain industries and safeguard communities around the world.

According to Kosh Nath Adhikari, Director at the Department of Tourism, the government had initiated the study of the circuit using GPS method on the basis of Miyamoto International’s report.

“The survey aims to reform the infrastructures and intensify reconstruction,” said Adhikari. According to him, the team carried out a study from Lamjung’s district headquarters Beshishahar to Manang in a week. “The field study from Manang to Mustang and Myagdi to Kaski is under way,” he said.

“The earthquake had caused landslides in more than 20 places along the route. However, it has not spoiled the route’s beauty.

The route needs basic reconstruction,” said Adhikari.