September 27 , 2006

The ninth TAAN eco-trekking workshop kicked off in the tourist city of Pokhara on July 29, 2006. More than 95 participants from various the trekking industry and partner organizations are taking part in the three-day workshop.
The annual programme aims to educate the people engaged in the trekking industry and other related organizations about environment-friendly trekking. As resource persons, experts in the fields of ecology, conservation, and energy and mountain tourism share their knowledge and idea with the participants.
Inaugurating the workshop, National Programme Manager of Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme (TRPAP and chief guest of the opening ceremony, Mr. Rabi Jung Pandey shed light on the vital linkages between environment education and tourism.
Mr. Pandey expressed the belief that the trekking industry would be operated in more systematic manner with the introduction of the Trekking Registration Certificate (TRC). “TRC will contribute even to the development of the rural areas,” he said. On the occasion, Mr. Narendra B.C., the President of TAAN, said that the association has been doing necessary homework for the implementation of TRC. Mr. B.C. said that the implementation of TRC would not only help control illegal operations in the trekking industry but also ensure safety and security of trekkers.
He asked the government to reduce the royalties being charged from trekkers visiting the ‘controlled’ areas by 75 percent. “The royalties being imposed by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) should also be reduced,” he said. He lauded TRPAP for developing new tourist areas. Speaking at the programme, Mr. Bashu Dev Parajuli, the President of TAAN Western Regional Chapter Pokhara, said that TRC is not just a permit; it is a tool to maintain records of tourists and check illegal operations.
Representative of ACAP Mr. Kirtinidhi Poudel urged the government to review the provisions of the National park Act.