Heads of diplomatic missions trekked from Dhampus to Astam

POKHARA, June 06:A trek from Dhampus of Kaski to Astam has been organized in memory of the world's first ascent of a peak higher than 8000 meters.

Ambassadors from various nations, heads of diplomatic missions, and heads of international partner organizations took part in the walk.

During the trekking, the diplomat's crew was greeted by locals with gifts.

On June 3, 1950, French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal ascended the 8,041-meter-high Annapurna I for the first time in history.

Following the successful ascension, France celebrated a three-day national holiday.

Herzog wrote the book 'Annapurna' on climbing Mount Annapurna. When the novel, originally written in French, was translated into English, it garnered worldwide recognition.

There are 14 mountains in the world that are higher than 8,000 meters, with eight of them being in Nepal.

Following the journey, the British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, stated that trekking through the forest route from Nepal's village was an amazing experience. He stated that he enjoys trekking and that British trekers who visit Nepal like to climb over the Annapurna Circuit.

'I completed the Langtang trip last month. "That was very exciting," he stated. "I am interested in doing the Annapurna circuit trekking, but I have less time off."

Suwapong Sirisorn, Thailand's ambassador to Nepal, stated that the beautiful mountains, the hydropower project reservoir, and the surrounding vegetation were all interesting to see during the hike.

Similarly, Hanan Goder-Goldberger, Israel's Ambassador to Nepal, stated that he visited Nepal several years ago and went trekking. He stated that he had trekked to Annapurna base camp, Mardi, and other locations at the time and that he is excited to return as an ambassador to trek again.

Ms. Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nepal, stated that she hiked in the same way in Pokhara two years ago. She stated that they helped through the Nepal tourism board.She stated that they have worked with the Nepal tourism board to improve tourism, which has slowed since the COVID-19 pandemic.

She stated that tourism can create jobs and should attract young people to the industry.

'Youth should be attracted to the tourism industry. "There is good potential for agri-tourism here," she added. "Nature, tourism, and local people can move forward together."

Foreign diplomats, heads of Nepali tourist business associations, businessmen, and others took a stroll as part of a program arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nepal tourist Board of Gandaki Province.

Dharmraj Panthi, head of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki, stated that support will be provided to revive the Dhampus Padayatra, which has perished as a result of the diplomat's journey. He stated that this hiking route leads to the Annapurna base camp and the Mardi Himal climb.

Pomnarayan Shrestha, chairman of the Pokhara Tourism Council, feels that the memory of the oldest mountain in the history of mountain climbing will attract climbers to Annapurna I.  He stated that the diplomat's walk would help to enhance tourism in Pokhara and the surrounding areas, both in Nepal and abroad.

'All the treks and mountains in the Annapurna region must pass through Pokhara,' he stated.We feel that trekking will be promoted both in Nepal and abroad.