KATHMANDU: Marking the launch of Nepal Tourism Year (NTY) 2011, a Peace Torch was lighted at Eternal Peace Flame in Lumbini Sacred Garden by Olympian Bimala Rana Magar today during a function there. The Peace Torch was then passed on to Acharya Karma Sangbo Sherpa, vice-chairman, Lumbini Development Trust at Mayadevi Temple. Amidst the chanting of mantra by Buddhist monks, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Sharat Singh Bhandari handed over the Peace Torch to Jit Bahadur KC, another Olympian, to bring it to Kathmandu for the launch of NTY 2011on February 26. Led by Jit Bahadur KC, a team of sportspersons comprising Bimala Rana Magar, Umesh Maskey, Laxman Basnet and Mukunda Hari Shreshta marched to Bhairawa with the Peace Torch shortly after. They will halt at Butwal for the night. On February 22, they will drive to Narayanghat and take the Peace Torch around the city. On February 24, they will leave for Kathmandu early in the morning from Thankot the with Peace Torch to hand it over to officials of Nepal Tourism Board.