South Asian News Network

Kathmandu, Sept 2: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Khadak Raj Paudel, has stated that a preliminary estimation has been made that the tourism sector has suffered losses more than Rs 50 billion from Bhotekoshi flash flood. Minister Paudel shared that the flood damaged 142 hotels, 57 restaurants and 141 vehicles related with tourism business as well as various important religious and cultural heritages of affected areas suffered damages. He underlined that a situation has surfaced to find out an alternative routes as Langtang, Gosainkunda, Parbatikunda and Nathali trekking route have been damaged. Sharing that a plan has been forwarded through the ministry to develop flood-hit areas as ‘climate heritage’, the Tourism Minister opined that a decision was taken based on the discussion with stakeholders on the issues of constructing museum, park, monument, and other structures there. He added that the Nepal has had to face a huge disaster due to climate change, stating that Nepalis have been facing consequences of a mistake the Nepal did not commit. Minister Paudel laid emphasis that the international community should provide necessary assistance and technology to Nepal affected from climate change, adding Nepal needs modern technology capable for providing early warnings before disaster regarding the risk posed by glacial lakes in Himalayan regions. He opined that initiatives would be taken with international community to provide such technologies being used in different countries of the world. Nepali airline companies and helicopter promoters have made significant contributions in rescue and relief during flood, which is the significant contribution towards the nation, the Tourism Minister underscored. He thanked the hotel entrepreneurs for making arrangement of free accommodation and food to flood-hit people in different places including Pokhara, Chitwan and Kathmandu. Minister Paudel said that the government has started the process of setting up ‘desks’ at Tribhuvan International Airport and other necessary places to assist affected tourists and their families, and informed that coordination on this matter is ongoing with various ministries and embassies. He said that effective communication at the international level is necessary to prevent negative messages about Nepal’s tourism sector due to the disasters. The Tourism Minister suggested spreading the message worldwide that Nepal is safe and its tourism industry is ready to welcome any international visitor. “Natural disasters can happen anywhere in the world. They cannot destroy Nepal’s tourism industry. We are still standing and ready to welcome tourists,” he added. Minister Paudel pointed out that it is necessary to inform the international community about the suffering Nepal is facing due to climate change, and on the other hand, to send a message that Nepal is safe and open for tourism. He also mentioned that a decision has been made to operate a welfare fund related to workers in the tourism sector and informed that coordination is underway with the Ministry of Finance regarding the complications that may arise in insurance claims when the exact status of people missing due to the flood is not known. Tourism Minister Paudel also stated that during national disasters, Nepali society usually comes together beyond politics, and this time too, the same social unity was seen in the rescue and relief efforts. —