Lesser tourist-arrival

KOHALPUR: The number of tourists coming to Nepal from the Nepalgunj transit point in the mid-western region has declined sharply owing to the violence in the country. Internal and external terrorism led to a 75 per cent decline in the arrival of tourists from the Nepalgunj transit, says the tourism office in Nepalgunj. According to the office, the transit point used to receive on an average 350 tourists every year but last year the number nose-dived to just 90. Majority of the tourists coming to Nepal from this transit point are Indians. RSS

Forest in Dolakha expanding

CHARIKOT: Forest area in Dolkha district has expanded following the development of community forest that provides the users the responsibility and right to preserve and utilise the forest and its products. According to statistics of the Nepal-Swiss community forest project, the forest area in the district 10 years ago was 94,411 hectares and this has presently increased to 101,500 hectare. Community forest was established in the district in 2047 BS and was handed over to the users after 2049 BS. So far 222 community forests have already been handed over to the local users at the joint initiative of the district forest office and the Nepal-Swiss community forest project. This has benefited 32,727 households among the 39,942 households in the district. The success of the community forests has attracted a large number of people and this has led to an improvement in the state of forest in the district, it is learnt. Currently, some 7215 families still depend on public forest. RSS

Lumbini development

BHAIRAHAWA: National and foreign scholars here have pointed out the need to develop Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha as a "peace talks site" in order to resolve the dispute and conflicts arising in various parts of the world. Speaking at a workshop on "Lumbini for World Peace" organised by the Vietnam International Buddhist Monastery here on Sunday, the scholars said Lumbini is known all over the world as the source of world peace and it would be significant to hold peace talks here to resolve the religious, nuclear and border-related disputes taking place across the world. An emphasis was also given to implement the master-plan prepared by renowned Japanese artist Professor Kenzo Tange for the planned development of Lumbini into a site for peace talks. Altogether 60 persons including representatives from the USA, Vietnam, Thailand, the UK, Korea, Japan and other countries, media persons, scholars and intellectuals took part in the talk programme.

Inter-school oratory contest

ITAHARI: Dhiraj Bhattarai of Sharada Secondary School, Fanindra Mani Dahal of Inaruwa Boarding School, Pujan Chaudhary of the martyr boarding school and Mamta Bhattarai of received the first, second, third and consolation prizes respectively in the inter-secondary school oratory contest on "the role of the youths under the present situation" organised by the Democratic National Youth Association Inaruwa town committee. Mayor of Inaruwa municipality Khemraj Pokherel gave away prizes and certificates to the winners of the oratory contest. The function was chaired by president of Democratic National Youth Association Inaruwa town committee Rajan Niraula.

Yoga for prisoners

BHADRAPUR: Bramha Kumari Rajyog sub service centre, Chandragadi has been organising classes on Rajyog and spiritualism for the inmates of Jhapa district jail. The classes are being attended by about 30 inmates of Jhapa district jail. The classes are being run by Gita Bahini, chief of eastern regional Bramha Kumari Rajyog service centre. RSS