This refers to the news story “NT, DOA split on Dharahara design” (THT, July 18, Page 1). The delay on the reconstruction of Dharahara is somewhat reasonable considering the involvement of different bodies in the process. Hope it will be solved soon with proper co-ordination and dialogue among the stake holders.

However, it is certainly not a good idea to get stuck because of the stances between the parties involved. In my opinion, the rebuilding should be based in such a way that both the viewpoints are met by maintaining archaeological value on one hand and modern addition on the other, as proposed by Nepal Telecom.

To get this done, the remaining of old Dharahara destroyed in 2015 earthquake should be preserved and left as it is and a separate new one should be built on a suitable location nearby as there seems to be no constraints of land as 23 Ropanis of land should be enough to have both of these.

The reason is that the chance of tourist attraction will not be reduced by preserving such historical sites rather the chances would be even more.

Suman Raj Sharma, Kathmandu 

Tourism

“Indian envoy urges joint effort to attract tourists” (THT, July 18, Page 10), mutual efforts will certainly help in making mutual gains by accelerating the flow of third country tourists to our mutual lands.

Nepal and Nepali traders have historically benefited from the generosity of Indian travel traders who have been sending us third country tourists right from  the genesis of our tourism trade, that is, in the mid-1950s. Had we been proactive we could have benefited immensely from the tourist offices that India has maintained in many large cities in the international tourism markets.

As tourism will be one of the main sources of bread and butter for the country for many years to come, if not till the end of time, it is never too late for Nepal to conduct joint promotion through the good offices of Indian tourism by sharing the cost on equal basis to promote our common heritage like tigers and leopards, for instance.

It is unlikely that Nepali government and traders will ever go for a full-fledged Nepal Tourism or trade offices in a place like Ginza in Tokyo. So partnership with neighbours is the best way out. Nepal must, therefore, join hands with India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka in promoting the destinations jointly.

It would be good if we can piggy-ride on the bewildering, fairytale success of Thai tourism by opening an information office in Bangkok. Can we open one?

We should. Joint exercises are equally good options to keep up with the tourism rat race without loosening our tight fist too much. With reference to another news, this time of a darker and depressing kind “Floods, landslips, deal blow to tourism in Pokhara” (THT, July 18, Page 6) the long-term solution to the recurring natural problems would be to steer clear off dangerous and vulnerable topography while building hotels and houses.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu