Pokhara, August 12:

Tourism entrepreneurs in Annapurna sanctuary trekking zone blamed the government for turning deaf ear to their request for publicity and development of world-famous Annapurna region. They called for government’s attention in promoting this region.

The government has allocated budget for publicity and development of Sagarmatha and urban-based tourism sites, they said, urging the government to spend some portion of the amount collected — from the entry fee and royalty received from mountaineering — for publicity and development of tourism infrastructure in the region also. “Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) generates tens of million rupees. Thus a small portion of royalty received from mountaineering should be invested for the promotion of the area,” chairman of Annapurna Sanctuary Tourism Entrepreneur Committee, Kisam Gurung said.

Around 70 per cent tourists visiting Pokhara go for the trekking in Annapurna region. In 2007, more than 1,14,000 tourists visited Pokhara while 60,000 of them went for trekking in the region. Entry fee collected from tourists alone stands at around Rs 120 million annually.

“Where is the amount spent,” secretary of Annapurna Sanctuary Committee Sam Bahadur Gurung said demanding that the revenue collected from the area should be invested for its own development.