ICYMI: Here are our top stories from Saturday, December 21
Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (December 21, 2019).There are 3,310 walking and climbing peaks above 5,500 metres in Nepal. Shutterstock
Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (December 21, 2019).
We have too many pines and it’s not a good thing
Three decades ago, the hills behind Nurpu Sherpa’s house were barren and ugly. Today, they are lush green with pine trees—a result of a massive tree plantation drive in 1991 that began on the hills of Anthali Village, as well as the barren mountainside around the nearby villages.
“My grandfather and father were among the many locals from the villages who planted the pine trees,” said Sherpa. “The hills look much more beautiful today than they did when they were barren.”
But as the pine trees started to grow taller, the villagers began to notice something unexpected.
The government plans to slash climbing fees and even waive them completely for some Himalayan peaks in a bid to lure mountaineers during Visit Nepal 2020.
The Department of Mountaineering, which issues climbing permits, said no fees would be charged for Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world at 8188 metres.
Taxi drivers in Bhaktapur have repeatedly complained of the private car owners’ syndicate in transporting passengers, which have curtailed their daily earnings. Despite the complaints, the government has turned a blind eye to the drivers’ concerns.
Every day the entry gate of Bhaktapur Durbar Square in Dudhpati sees a line of more than three dozen private cars waiting for passengers. Similar is the scene at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Kamalbinayak, Thimi, Sallaghari, Suryabinayak and Gatthaghar. It is estimated that more than 400 such cars and vans are illegally operating in these areas.
Amid contradicting stances, deputy speaker commences House session
Despite controversy over whether the deputy Speaker is authorised to hold the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives, Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe chaired the first meeting of Parliament’s winter session on Friday after an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties.
9.6°C Kathmandu
