Ruby Valley Manaslu Development Project Open
Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and SAMARTH/Nepal Market Development Program (NMDP) have signed and exchanged Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for tourism development in Ganesh Himal (Ruby Valley) Region in Dhading and Manaslu Region in Gorkha district.
TAAN President Ramesh Dhamala and Wouter Shalken, Tourism Sector Manager o SAMARTH/NMDP signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations amid a function on March 27.
The Ganesh Himal Manaslu Tourism Development Project will work in partnership with Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. At local level, it will work together with Ganesh Himal Tourism Development Committee, District Development Committees (DDCs) of Gorkha and Dhading and affected Village Development Committees (VDCs) in the two districts.
The project came into implementation from March 27 and will continue for six months. It aims to develop tourism infrastructures like suspension bridges and box bridges, establish tourism information centers, identify view points and build view towers maintain or upgrade existing trekking trails, constructporter shelters, study caves and involve in other research and development works in the affected areas.
TAAN had organized exploration trip to the area in June 2012. Later in January this year, the association organized a survey trip to the area. In its findings, the survey team had suggested to the project executing body to develop necessary infrastructures in the area.
As per the suggestions, the project will primarily focus on development of necessary infrastructures in the area, according to TAAN President Dhamala. He also said the Ganesh Himal-Manaslu Region was selected for the project because
of its proximity to Kathmandu Valley and the untapped tourism potentials in the area. We will organize similar programs in different parts of the country in the near future, he said, adding that detailed plan for the development of Ganesh Himal-Manaslu area has already been finalized. This project is a part of our plan to link Langtang, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu regions, he said. SMARTH/NMDP is providing us Rs 32 million. We will also chip in from our resources,Dhamala added.
Wouter Shalken, tourism sector manager of SAMARTH/NMDP, said they were happy to working with TAAN for tourismdevelopment in Ganesh Himal-Manaslu Area. We are expecting long term partnership with TAAN, he added.
Source : TAAN
1 Comment
Chris, I think it might be risky with 15 people, plus porerts, etc.We went in November 2009, with a group of 6, and there were plenty of other groups on the trail. In some parts you might struggle to find sleeping arrangements, if you happen to stumble on a couple of other groups Plus, we did stay at a couple of lodges during our trek (most nights in a tent). And I must tell you that the food cooked was really terrible. Don’t get me wrong, I have been to Nepal 11 times and I love Nepali food, I am vegetarian (so not demanding in terms of what is available, which is mostly potatoes, onions and something resembling silverbeet but with an attrocious taste), I know what to expect etc. Despite my hunger, I just gave up. Santaman was quite embarrassed and asked our own trusty cooks to do something. Since it was late, I asked them to boil some simple potatoes for the group. I then made a mayonaise, and with some oil, salt and lime juice , we managed to whip up a decent potatoe salad. Else I was determined to eat some coconut biscuits and mars bars. In a group of 15 you’ll find one or two people who will struggle. Manaslu is not (yet) AC or EBC, or Gokyo. Not anywhere near at the standard for food.I suggest it is much safer at thist stage to still go with a tenting (mostly) expedition, even if for food comfort. I was very happy with Shera our cook, and his helpers. They were awesome, had good skills, and gave us variety for breakfast, lunch or dinner.If you wish, I can put you in touch with Santaman, with whom I trekked in 10 of my 11 treks, and who organised a splendid experience. Not too expensive either. Santa is not operating a big trekking company, rather he’s leading group of independent guides, porter-guides, and porerts, whom he’s trained very well in his customer focused philosophy.I understand the view that you want to leave your money in the village. On the other hand, a tenting expedition keeps more people employed. Plus, if you think about Annapurna for example, most good big lodges are owned by retired Ghurkas in Pokhara, who invested in bigger/better lodges. Same with the bigger, better equipped lodges on the EBC/Gokyo. They belong to rich former Everest guides, who now live in Kathmandu or Darjeeling. Most of the money goes to those places. Nepal is a capitalistic place, in its own funny way. I guess the same will eventually happen with Manaslu.You can