Chichila Bazar, November 21

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari inaugurated the Makalu Diamond Jubilee celebrations commemorating the first ascent on Mt Makalu amidst a special programme here today.

On the occasion, the president said Sankhuwasabha, home to Mt Makalu which is one of the eight highest peaks in the world, and popular as the ‘capital of rhododendron’, can be developed as a major tourist destination.

Seeking the attention of the bodies concerned towards promoting tourism in a planned way in the district and eventually uplifting the local lifestyle, the president said, “Peace and stability are the current needs of the country”.

The head-of-state insisted on unity among the people of mountain, hill and Tarai to see the overall development of the country and to lead it towards prosperity.

Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, speaking of the potential of huge income generation through tourism here, said arrangements will be made for immediately allocating the amount to be collected through royalty of Makalu climbing to the District Development Committee so that it can be used for development endeavours in the district.

Lawmaker Taraman Gurung and CPN-UML central member Rajendra Gautam said Sakhuwasabha has a bright future in terms of tourism and sought government assistance towards that end. Main Celebrations Committee coordinator Minga Sherpa hoped to get support from all quarters for development of the Makalu region.

Tourists from Japan and the US also joined the celebrations.

An agro festival was organised as a part of the celebrations.

The Chichila Bazar that lies to the north of the district headquarters Khandbari carries abundant potentia of tourism development.