INTERVIEW

Government is making Master Plan for mountain tourism.

Dorjee Jangbu Lama was appointed as a Member Secretary of Parbatiya Prashikshen Pratishthan Bikash Samiti on 26 November 2007. He was born in Solukhumbu district and came to Kathmandu for higher education under a scholarship program provided by the Himalayan Trust. He is a management graduated from Saraswati Campus. Being a Sherpa, he was involved in trekking business also. He has involved as a male runner to Kumbakarna Himal in Taplegunj and also worked as a Manager in Alpine trekking. Lama has also participated if Helunkang Expedition as a Base Camp sirdar. He was also the Member Secretary of Gompa Management Committee, General Secretary of Nepal Mountaineering Federation and many others. Similarly, Lama has written a book named "Himshrinkhala Ko Yatra" in 2002.
What is objective behind establishing MAN?
            Established under the tourism ministry, the main objective of MAN is to develop mountaineering for the overall development of the nation's economy. Nepal is known as the mountainous destination and trekking is one of the very important tourism features of Nepal. Even when the tourism industry was going down, trekking business has always kept the charm of Nepal. The trekking royalties is always being paid to the government even at the time of tourism slack. All the private trekking agencies have contributed a lot to the trekking activities, hence to help the entire mountain related business and their activities, MAN was formed. Not only Mountain but also through research, MAN focuses on developing all the areas around it.
How is it different from Nepal mountaineering Association?
            Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) is the private sector organization working as NGO but MAN is the wing of the government opened to develop mountaineering. At the time when NMA was established, there were very few trekking agencies where as now people are more educated about mountaineering, more agencies and stakeholders have increased. We now require to open new avenues to develop mountaineering sector. NMA has its different sets of functions and MAN has its own. Right now, we are not complete but our purpose is also to financially support the trekking agencies and associations for their programs and to give them equal participation.
Why was MAN inactive even after is registration under the Nepalese government long back?
            MAN was registered under the government in 2059 BS under the leadership of the then Tourism Minister Bal Bahadur KC but due to political instability, the organization was lying inactive. This is the first instance that the government has given authority to the private people for its administration.
Since its formal establishment, what have been its initiatives?
Our office just came into operation from 22 December 2006, thus we are on the process to develop communication with international Mountain committers. We are also trying to keep the bio-data of mountaineers, developing website to keep the information of the trekking guides. Before, the approaches to mountain guides were made through the agencies but now the new framework will give equal opportunities to all the guides by linking them directly with the tourists. The government is making Master plan for mountain tourism and we are working as the advisor to formulate the policies.
What are the future activities of MAN? Are you also in the favor of exploring more mountain activities in Nepal?
            Our biggest plan has been to open Mountaineering Training Center. Recently MAN with tourism ministry had visited solukjhumbu District to buy the 3000 ropani land for the construction of the training school. We have already given NRs50, 00,000 compensation to the locals. Similarly, we are also focusing on various master plans at mountain areas. The construction of symbolic cultural houses in Solukhumbu will be starting soon for tourist attraction. Tea and coffee plantation in the 3000 ropani land is also under strategy. Our other plans are cleaning campaign in various peaks of Nepal, to appoint the liaison officer by the mountaineers, organization of study and research based programs in trekking areas and many more. Right now, we are not giving attention to explore new peaks but it does come under the objective of MAN.
Who are the members of this academy?
            All the tourism related Ministries and associations are the members of MAN such as Tourism Ministry, Finance Ministry, Environment Ministry, National Planning Commission, Nepal Mountaineering Association and Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal.
What is the government doing regarding the porter insurance and increment of trekking guide fees?
            This issue has been paid attention by the government yet. The actual practice and policies varies in many cases which we are trying to review. The government is also looking forward to manage the demands of porters and guides. The changes cannot occur overnight but the benefit of all the sectors related to trekking and mountaineering.
What opinion do you hold about the existing royalty fees of the peaks in Nepal?
           We are still not clear about these royalty fees in detail. Many trekking agencies have been demanding for the decrease of trekking royalties in Sagarmatha region and many others. I personally feel that to lower the loyalties of the renowned peaks like sagarmatha is not necessary because the mountaineers no matter how expensive the royalty is will summit such peaks. Only the mountains which are unfrequented by tourists like in Karnali, etc. the government should pay attention on lowering the royalty to increase the inflow of tourists in those areas. Therefore, we are doing homework regarding these issues to advise the government.
Will the opening of new trekking routes further intensify the trekking / mountaineering tourism of Nepal or should we focus on promoting the existing ones first?
            It is not that the various alternative routes are not developed. There are many repetitive tourists in Nepal to explore new routes. All the routes that are being developed are with the effort of private sectors until now. The development of new trekking routes is one of the pre-requisites to enhance trekking and mountaineering tourism of Nepal.