NTY-2011 sub-panel KATHMANDU: To stage the national campaign of Nepal Tourism Year 2011 more successfully, formulate programmes and execute them effectively, an NTY-2011 working sub-committee has been formed under the chairmanship of secretary of Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. The ministerial decision on August 30 also nominated Yogendra Shakya as its vice-chairman. Including Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, there are 11 members and Subhash Nirola, senior director at NTB is the member-secretary. — HNS NIDC branch KATHMANDU: NIDC Capital Markets Limited opened its first Pokhara branch, which was inaugurated by CA member Surya Bahadur KC. The bank has been providing merchant banking services to its customers since 17 years and has greatly contributed in the field of capital market sector. The net capital of the bank is about Rs 200 million and it has been providing 40 per cent cash devident to its shareholders. — HNS Farmers worried KHOTANG: Farmers of eastern hilly district, Khotang, are hit hard as there is no market for the pears in their orchards. They said the pears decay in the trees due to lack of market. The farmers are obliged to feed the pears to their cattle. Commercial pear farming is done in about 100 hectares of land in more than two dozen VDCs including Khidima, Ratanchha, Mattim, Nunthala, Temma. Agriculture experts say juice, brandy, alcohol and other drinks can be prepared from the pears after processing them. — RSS Chovar hotspot KIRTIPUR: The number of people visiting Manjushree cave, probably the second-longest cave in Asia at Chovar, Kirtipur Municipality-14, is increasing by the day. A large number of people visited the 1,250 metre-long cave after the Jal Binayak Community Forest Users Group started managing the cave and the surrounding area. The cave is located near Chovar gorge, an area which according to legends, is the place sliced by the deity Manjushree with a sword to drain out the water from a huge lake that formed Kathmandu Valley. Treasurer of the local community forest users’ committee, Sujindra Maharjan said the group is taking care of the cave since the last some years. He said only 342 metres of the 1250 metres long cave has been opened to visitors. He added that efforts are on to open the entire cave for the visitors. — RSS Tourists coming DAMAULI: Tourists are flocking to Siddhagufa cave at Bimalnagar in Bandipur-6, Tanahun district. President of the Siddhagufa Development Committee, Lal Kumar Shrestha said daily up to 60 Nepalis and 20 foreign tourists come to see the cave. Tourists from the United States, Japan, Germany, Australia, China, India and different places of Nepal come here. The cave has space equal to the size of a badminton court inside, it is said. It takes a 45-minute uphill climb from Bimalnagar Bazaar to reach it. — RSS