Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Terai Region
It extends from the Nepal-India border in the south to the base of Siwalik Hills (Churia) in the north. Its elevation ranges from 70 to 200m with subtropical climate.
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The altitude of this region is above 5,000 m. The region encompasses eight of the 14 highest summits of the world crossing over an altitude of 8,000 m including Everest, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and etc.
Geography
Nepal is a mountainous and landlocked country lying on the southern slopes of the Himalayas between India and China. Its area is 147,181 sq km. It is 885 km east to west and 145 to 241 km north to south. The country is divided into three geographical regions.
Nepal: a beautiful and stunning Himalayan country
Nepal is one of the most beautiful and stunning Himalayan countries in the world. Though small in size, it is known in the world as a nation of colorful nature and cultures. In the countryside the way of life is still traditional, nature is at its best, high mountains and lush valleys are ideal places for trekking and mountaineering, flora and fauna invites a nature lover for a rendezvous with them. Nepal is rich with traditions of art and culture and Kathmandu, the capital city, is a treasure house of ancient art and culture.
Hile
Hile is situated about 13 km north of Dhankuta Bazaar. The panorama of the major peaks of eastern Himalaya including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), Makalu, Lhotse and Kumbhakarna can be enjoyed from Hile.Hile sits on a ridge and is basically rows of houses on either side of the road. There are however dingy settlements on the slope on one side of the road. Surprisingly this little town has quite a few hotels and at least one of them is solid though furnishing and service leaves much to be desired. The Tongba (Alcoholic drink made from millet) is great if you can digest it.
If you turn left from Hile approaching from Dhankuta, the road leads on to the Arun valley and Makalu treks. Pushing straight up the road leads on to Basantapur, Taplejung and the Kanchenjunga trek. A few Tibetan families still remain as does the two Gompas. The rest of the inhabitants are a mixture of Chetris, Magars, Rais, Tamangs, Brahmins, Limbus and people of Indian stock. There are good views of the Makalu massif from here. Walk up from the town and go past the army barracks until you see a path cut out on the left side opposite a few houses. Climb up over a grassy ridge and you will see the Himalayas, weather permitting. There are many pleasant walks around Hile. A walk to the Pakhribas agricultural center built by the British many years ago is interesting.
If you turn left from Hile approaching from Dhankuta, the road leads on to the Arun valley and Makalu treks. Pushing straight up the road leads on to Basantapur, Taplejung and the Kanchenjunga trek. A few Tibetan families still remain as does the two Gompas. The rest of the inhabitants are a mixture of Chetris, Magars, Rais, Tamangs, Brahmins, Limbus and people of Indian stock. There are good views of the Makalu massif from here. Walk up from the town and go past the army barracks until you see a path cut out on the left side opposite a few houses. Climb up over a grassy ridge and you will see the Himalayas, weather permitting. There are many pleasant walks around Hile. A walk to the Pakhribas agricultural center built by the British many years ago is interesting.
Machhapuchhre Trekking - A Thrilling Experience of wilderness
Pokhara has been a popular destination for the tourists and trekkers since the decade of 1960. It has still remained as a gateway to Annapurna trekking routes. RoundAnnapurna trek is one of the interesting trekking routes out of ten in the world.Annapurna sanctuary or the base camp of Mount Annapurna and Annapurna circuit both are the popular destinations and trekking routes among the trekkers. Like Annapurna area there is another interesting & joyful trekking area around the southern base of Mount Fishtail also called ‘Maachhapuchhre’. There are various Seti River side or the Mardi River side. These river Valleys have been the areas rich in traditional and cultural heritage of indigenous ethnic communities. Ghachok, Dhiprang, Mirsha are some of major human settlements along the Seti River Valley. Agro-based far Ming system, traditional cultural activities, festivals and celebrations of rural community are the major attractions for the new visitors. At the same time hot spring ponds at the bank of Seti River, water-falls and honey hunting spots of Dhiprang have added further attraction to the tourists. Likewise, Lahachok, Rivan, Lwang- Ghalel are the rural settlements along Mardi River Valley. Besides their traditional cultural activities, Lwang is popular for Buddha monastery, tea garden and for a model of Gurung village. The Mardi-river Valley in Rivan & Lahachok area is an appropriate place for swimming, fishing and watching migrant birds. A natural Cave formed by rock and limestone at Patikhola and Tea garden of Lahachok Deurali are the other attractions of the areas.After half an hour drive by Jeep from Pokhara, trekking can be started immediately crossing the Mardi River, if the trekkers want to get immediately close mammals. So the trekkers can experience the perfect natural sites
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Nepal Jungle Safari
A trip to Nepal is incomplete if you have not been on a jungle safari. While the mountains of the north have some of the highest and most magnificent peaks in the world, the tropical jungles of the Terai preserve some of the best wildlife habitat in the subcontinent. Some of these rich wildlife habitats are now protected, and can be tours on elephantback, 4 WD vehicles, and dugout canoes or on foot accompanied by a licensed guide.Nepal has 16 national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation area, occupying 16% of its total geographical area. Jungle safaris on elephant back or Jeep rides are offered at the Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Royal Bardia National Park, Royal Chitwan National Park and the Royal Sukhlaphanta wildlife Reserve, alllocated in the terai.Among them, there are two famous two National Parks Royal Chitwan National Park, & Bardia National Park where you can explore the wild-life getting yourself deep into the heart of the forest, while the others serve as the natural habitat to thousands of animals including Snow-Leopard, Gharials, Crocodiles, Ram, Bob Cats, endagered Red Panda, Elks, Deers, Anteplores, Kasturi, monkeys, hundreds of birds (in fact Arun Valley has the largest population of birds (650+) and butterflies (800+) in the entire world), and butterflies.
What is Camping Trekking, and how it is operated?
A camping trek is fully organized and supported, with a team of guides, cooks, sherpas and porters to accompany you. Our porters carry all the trekking gear, food, fuel and personal belongings. Our cooks prepare hot meals. Trekkers need only carry a small bag as required for the day. At night, tents for dining, sleeping and ablutions tents are provided and set up. Also mattresses and down-filled sleeping bags, tables and seating.
In a typical camping trek, we start the day around 6 a.m. with a cup of hot tea. You are then provided with a bowl of warm water for washing. Then trekkers enjoy breakfast before leaving camp. The trek begins around 7.30 - 8 a.m.
Trekkers can set their pace for pausing and sightseeing and the walk to the lunch spot will normally take 3 hours. On arrival, you are served hot lunch. In the afternoon, after walking for another 3 to 4 hours, you arrive at the next camp around 5 p.m. Tea & snacks are served while our staff readies the camp. Dinner time is around 6/7 p.m. in the dining tent, lit with lanterns and comfortably furnished. The food is healthy, wholesome and hygienically prepared.
In a typical camping trek, we start the day around 6 a.m. with a cup of hot tea. You are then provided with a bowl of warm water for washing. Then trekkers enjoy breakfast before leaving camp. The trek begins around 7.30 - 8 a.m.
Trekkers can set their pace for pausing and sightseeing and the walk to the lunch spot will normally take 3 hours. On arrival, you are served hot lunch. In the afternoon, after walking for another 3 to 4 hours, you arrive at the next camp around 5 p.m. Tea & snacks are served while our staff readies the camp. Dinner time is around 6/7 p.m. in the dining tent, lit with lanterns and comfortably furnished. The food is healthy, wholesome and hygienically prepared.
What is Teahouse Trekking? And how it is organized?
Teahouse trekking is guided walking and very popular in the well-developed tourist regions including Annapurna, Everest and Langtang – Helambu, where western cuisine as well Nepalese food (Dalbhat) is available. Overnight accommodation is in good, clean guest houses, lodges and hotels.
Trekking in Nepal
Nepal is a trekker's paradise. More than 85% of the total population live in rural areas. Although transport and communications have brought about great changes in the lives of the people, many still live a simple rural life. One need not be a mountaineer or experienced walker to trek in different parts of the country.
Various tours of trekking are offered, from one to several days. When Colonel Jimmy Robes opened Mountain Travel in 1955, his travel company began the history of trekking in Nepal. The concept was similar to the expedition approach used by mountaineers, with guides, porters & tents. Since 80’s the infrastructures for trekking have developed to a very high standard. Currently, in Nepal, two kinds of trekking are popular- Teahouse or Lodge trekking and Tent Trekking.
Various tours of trekking are offered, from one to several days. When Colonel Jimmy Robes opened Mountain Travel in 1955, his travel company began the history of trekking in Nepal. The concept was similar to the expedition approach used by mountaineers, with guides, porters & tents. Since 80’s the infrastructures for trekking have developed to a very high standard. Currently, in Nepal, two kinds of trekking are popular- Teahouse or Lodge trekking and Tent Trekking.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Nepal’s Eastern Region
28. Arun Valley - Makalu Base Camp3 weeks out of Tumlingtar/Khadbari. You'll get up to 5000 meters and still be 3500 meters short of the summit! Either go same way back or climb a couple of 6000'ers into the Khumbu region.
29. Kanchenjunga3 weeks out of Taplejung, 3rd highest mountain in the world. Don't rely on finding any lodges here. Permits are 10$ /person /week.
30. Pathibhara1 week out of Taplejung. The Pathibhara Devi shrine is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists alike. There is lodges along the route.
29. Kanchenjunga3 weeks out of Taplejung, 3rd highest mountain in the world. Don't rely on finding any lodges here. Permits are 10$ /person /week.
30. Pathibhara1 week out of Taplejung. The Pathibhara Devi shrine is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists alike. There is lodges along the route.
Everest Region
23. Everest Base Camp & Kala Pathar2 weeks out of Lukla, 3 out of Kathmandu/Jiri with return flight from Lukla. If you don't have a spare $50.000 lying around for an Everest climb permit, you can just settle for this Base Camp trek. Most people seem to choose the Tengpoche route to KP, which stands at 5630 m.
24. Mera Peak2-3 weeks out of Lukla, 6500 m. A popular expedition/climb that requires some basic mountaineering skills, but without being too technical. Long march in, 2 high camps.
25. Island Peak3 weeks out of Lukla. At 6100 meters, this trek is not for everyone. Although not very technical, it is a demanding snow climb. Views are everything you could ever dream of.
26. Gokyo Lakes, Peak & Renjo La2 weeks out of Lukla. High pass at 5400 m. Lakes at 4800 m, peak at 5500 m. Some lodges along the trail. Great Everest views.
27. Pikey & Dudhkunda Trail1 or 2 weeks in the less -much less- visited southern part of Solukhumbu. Both the Chiwong and the Thuptenchoeling Buddhist Monasteries are world renowned, the former famous for the Mani Rimdu Dance Festival, the latter is the biggest monastery in Nepal.
24. Mera Peak2-3 weeks out of Lukla, 6500 m. A popular expedition/climb that requires some basic mountaineering skills, but without being too technical. Long march in, 2 high camps.
25. Island Peak3 weeks out of Lukla. At 6100 meters, this trek is not for everyone. Although not very technical, it is a demanding snow climb. Views are everything you could ever dream of.
26. Gokyo Lakes, Peak & Renjo La2 weeks out of Lukla. High pass at 5400 m. Lakes at 4800 m, peak at 5500 m. Some lodges along the trail. Great Everest views.
27. Pikey & Dudhkunda Trail1 or 2 weeks in the less -much less- visited southern part of Solukhumbu. Both the Chiwong and the Thuptenchoeling Buddhist Monasteries are world renowned, the former famous for the Mani Rimdu Dance Festival, the latter is the biggest monastery in Nepal.
Nepal’s Western Region
1. Simikot, HumlaYou can fly in from Nepalganj and maybe read --Spy on the roof of the world-- by Sydney Wignall before you go. Permits are 90$ /person /week.
2. Rara Lake4 days walk from Jumla to this the largest lake in Nepal. Getting to Jumla though is either a plane/helicopter trip or a several days long jeep ride on a mountain road that’s still under construction -- and will be for any foreseeable future.3. Upper DolpoFirst of all, see the movie --Himalayan Caravan - L'Enfance d'un chef-- (Eric Valli 1999, Oscar nominated). It's mandatory! Might want to pick up one of his books as well. Having done that, you'll want to go to the Phoksundo Lake, which you can do in 1 week or as part of either the 15 day Dolpa Experience Circuit or the 20 day Dolpa Heritage Trek, all out of Juphal --airport--. Another couple of one-week'ers are the Sundaha Nature Trek and the Sahartara Tour. Expensive permit are required, as in Upper Mustang it's $70 /person /day with minimum 10 days. No lodges. Annual number of visitors are in the low hundreds.
4. Lower DolpoPermits are 10$ /person /week. You might have to fly in from Nepalganj. Don't expect lodges here, so bring your own camping gear.
5. Upper Mustang10 days. Home to the ancient kingdom of Lo, still in existence - sort of. Hefty permit required north of Kagbeni, $70 /person /day with minimum 10 days.
Annapurna Region
6. Dhaulagiri 20-30 days to complete the circle around this 8000+'er. Bring good boots and sleeping bag!
7. Annapurna Circuit2-3 weeks minimum. This is where everyone goes. Except me. In the high season it gets rather crowded and is more appropriately named the Annapurna Circus. Lodges and tea-houses are everywhere. The Thorung La high pass (5400 m) usually closes down in the end of November. If you bring your own camping gear, there's also good possibilities of doing side trips off the beaten track. ACAP entry fees stand at 2000 rupees.
8. Jomsom & MuktinathYou can fly into or out of Jomsom, a days walk from Muktinath, and hike to or from Pokhara in about 1 week. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site nestled at 3800 m. It's on the Annapurna Circuit.
9. Annapurna Sanctuary & ABC10-14 days, 2000 rupee ticket. Another popular option, since it’s shorter and a little less demanding than doing the full Annapurna Circuit.
10. Ghorepani, Poon Hill5 days out of Pokhara, it reaches 3200 meters and is accessible all year round. Famous for it's views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and rhododendrons in the spring.
11. Panchase Peak & GhandrukAnother holy mountain, this one a couple of days walk west of Pokhara. Ghandruk is 3 days further and it's home to the Annapurna Conservation Project and a whole lot of Gurung people.
12. The Royal Trek4 days out of Pokhara. With altitude no higher that 2000 meters it's open all year round.
13. Siklish, Begnas Lake, Lamjung1 week return trip from Pokhara, 10-12 days through Lamjung to Besisahar. Lodges should be available, 2000 rupee ACAP permit required.
14. Manaslu3 weeks, circle around this 8000+ m twin peak that can be seen all the way from Kathmandu. Pass over Larkya La at 5110 m. There's no lodges and the mandatory permit stands at almost $100 /person /week.
Central Nepal
15. Trishuli - GorkhaThe easy way: 4 days along the route that Prithvi Narayan Shah took in 1768. Apparently has village lodges and stays under 2000 m all the way.The hard way: 2-3 weeks on remote, off the beaten track. Passes over Sing La (3570 m) and by the Jogeshwar kund (4500 m). Camping gear required.
16. Ganesh HimalNo lodges, rough and remote. But wow, wouldn't I like to go there! The highest peak is well over 7000 meters, and it’s prominent view from Kathmandu makes it all worthwhile if you like to brag about your adventures when you get back to civilization!
17. Tamang Heritage Trail8 days, lodges still under construction.
18. Langtang & Gosaikunda / Panch Pokhari1-2 weeks minimum. Third most visited in Nepal, after Annapurna and Everest. Fairly easy, not too crowded, especially the Gosaikunda lake area (4400 m) which is arguably the most scenic. Langtang Valley has lodges every hour or so all the way to Kyanjing Gompa (3900 m), the Gosaikunda trail has fewer, but still enough for short days. Gosaikunda features the annual Janai Purniam festival and from there, you can walk back to Kathmandu in 2-4 days. Entry fee 1000 rupees.
19. Helambu½-1 week, more jungle than mountains but still a rough trail. Tea-houses available if you don't get lost like that Australian guy. Distant, but awesome mountain views before you get too close to the mountain bases. --Walking distance-- from Kathmandu, circuit from Sundarijal to Nagarkot (4 days).
20. Namobudda1 day, one of the few quickies you can do when the noise and pollution of Kathmandu starts to get on your nerves. Take the bus to Dhulikel and start walking.
21. Rolwaling & Gauri Shankar2 weeks or so. Get up close and personal with Gauri Shankar (7130 m) and it’s glacial lakes. Good view of Everest etc. Unspoiled landscape, permission still required but check with Nepal’s Tourism Board when you get here. There’s rumors that they’re making this one permission free.
22. Chitwan Chepang Hills7 days in the Middle Hills. No Himalayas and no higher than 2000 meters so it could be a good winter trekking possibility. Good view of the (distant) Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Ganesh Himal, Gauri Shankar, Gurja Himal and Manaslu, but the main attraction is the nomadic Chepang people who live as hunters and gatherers. There's also a fort, a waterfall and some caves along the route together with 400 bird species. Start in Hugdi on Prithvi Hwy, end Shaktikor in Chitwan. Homestays are on the route.
2. Rara Lake4 days walk from Jumla to this the largest lake in Nepal. Getting to Jumla though is either a plane/helicopter trip or a several days long jeep ride on a mountain road that’s still under construction -- and will be for any foreseeable future.3. Upper DolpoFirst of all, see the movie --Himalayan Caravan - L'Enfance d'un chef-- (Eric Valli 1999, Oscar nominated). It's mandatory! Might want to pick up one of his books as well. Having done that, you'll want to go to the Phoksundo Lake, which you can do in 1 week or as part of either the 15 day Dolpa Experience Circuit or the 20 day Dolpa Heritage Trek, all out of Juphal --airport--. Another couple of one-week'ers are the Sundaha Nature Trek and the Sahartara Tour. Expensive permit are required, as in Upper Mustang it's $70 /person /day with minimum 10 days. No lodges. Annual number of visitors are in the low hundreds.
4. Lower DolpoPermits are 10$ /person /week. You might have to fly in from Nepalganj. Don't expect lodges here, so bring your own camping gear.
5. Upper Mustang10 days. Home to the ancient kingdom of Lo, still in existence - sort of. Hefty permit required north of Kagbeni, $70 /person /day with minimum 10 days.
Annapurna Region
6. Dhaulagiri 20-30 days to complete the circle around this 8000+'er. Bring good boots and sleeping bag!
7. Annapurna Circuit2-3 weeks minimum. This is where everyone goes. Except me. In the high season it gets rather crowded and is more appropriately named the Annapurna Circus. Lodges and tea-houses are everywhere. The Thorung La high pass (5400 m) usually closes down in the end of November. If you bring your own camping gear, there's also good possibilities of doing side trips off the beaten track. ACAP entry fees stand at 2000 rupees.
8. Jomsom & MuktinathYou can fly into or out of Jomsom, a days walk from Muktinath, and hike to or from Pokhara in about 1 week. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site nestled at 3800 m. It's on the Annapurna Circuit.
9. Annapurna Sanctuary & ABC10-14 days, 2000 rupee ticket. Another popular option, since it’s shorter and a little less demanding than doing the full Annapurna Circuit.
10. Ghorepani, Poon Hill5 days out of Pokhara, it reaches 3200 meters and is accessible all year round. Famous for it's views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and rhododendrons in the spring.
11. Panchase Peak & GhandrukAnother holy mountain, this one a couple of days walk west of Pokhara. Ghandruk is 3 days further and it's home to the Annapurna Conservation Project and a whole lot of Gurung people.
12. The Royal Trek4 days out of Pokhara. With altitude no higher that 2000 meters it's open all year round.
13. Siklish, Begnas Lake, Lamjung1 week return trip from Pokhara, 10-12 days through Lamjung to Besisahar. Lodges should be available, 2000 rupee ACAP permit required.
14. Manaslu3 weeks, circle around this 8000+ m twin peak that can be seen all the way from Kathmandu. Pass over Larkya La at 5110 m. There's no lodges and the mandatory permit stands at almost $100 /person /week.
Central Nepal
15. Trishuli - GorkhaThe easy way: 4 days along the route that Prithvi Narayan Shah took in 1768. Apparently has village lodges and stays under 2000 m all the way.The hard way: 2-3 weeks on remote, off the beaten track. Passes over Sing La (3570 m) and by the Jogeshwar kund (4500 m). Camping gear required.
16. Ganesh HimalNo lodges, rough and remote. But wow, wouldn't I like to go there! The highest peak is well over 7000 meters, and it’s prominent view from Kathmandu makes it all worthwhile if you like to brag about your adventures when you get back to civilization!
17. Tamang Heritage Trail8 days, lodges still under construction.
18. Langtang & Gosaikunda / Panch Pokhari1-2 weeks minimum. Third most visited in Nepal, after Annapurna and Everest. Fairly easy, not too crowded, especially the Gosaikunda lake area (4400 m) which is arguably the most scenic. Langtang Valley has lodges every hour or so all the way to Kyanjing Gompa (3900 m), the Gosaikunda trail has fewer, but still enough for short days. Gosaikunda features the annual Janai Purniam festival and from there, you can walk back to Kathmandu in 2-4 days. Entry fee 1000 rupees.
19. Helambu½-1 week, more jungle than mountains but still a rough trail. Tea-houses available if you don't get lost like that Australian guy. Distant, but awesome mountain views before you get too close to the mountain bases. --Walking distance-- from Kathmandu, circuit from Sundarijal to Nagarkot (4 days).
20. Namobudda1 day, one of the few quickies you can do when the noise and pollution of Kathmandu starts to get on your nerves. Take the bus to Dhulikel and start walking.
21. Rolwaling & Gauri Shankar2 weeks or so. Get up close and personal with Gauri Shankar (7130 m) and it’s glacial lakes. Good view of Everest etc. Unspoiled landscape, permission still required but check with Nepal’s Tourism Board when you get here. There’s rumors that they’re making this one permission free.
22. Chitwan Chepang Hills7 days in the Middle Hills. No Himalayas and no higher than 2000 meters so it could be a good winter trekking possibility. Good view of the (distant) Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Ganesh Himal, Gauri Shankar, Gurja Himal and Manaslu, but the main attraction is the nomadic Chepang people who live as hunters and gatherers. There's also a fort, a waterfall and some caves along the route together with 400 bird species. Start in Hugdi on Prithvi Hwy, end Shaktikor in Chitwan. Homestays are on the route.
Nepal: Collecting Yarchagumba is restricted
According to regulation, only licensed collctors are allowed to collect Yarchagumba. The processed Yarchagumba are allowed to be exported from the country. But there is no processing centre in the country.
The government which gave permission two years ago with NRs. 500 as royalty for one piece, plans to give permission for Rs. 20,000 of royalty per kg this year.
Traders say when they are not allowed to export unprocessed Yarchagumba what is the use of going through the legal process of obtaining license for collecting them. Majority of the Yarchagumba are taken to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and to other countries through India.
As the herb collection is seasonal, it does not affect the environment, and the herb gives sexual vigour.
The government which gave permission two years ago with NRs. 500 as royalty for one piece, plans to give permission for Rs. 20,000 of royalty per kg this year.
Traders say when they are not allowed to export unprocessed Yarchagumba what is the use of going through the legal process of obtaining license for collecting them. Majority of the Yarchagumba are taken to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and to other countries through India.
As the herb collection is seasonal, it does not affect the environment, and the herb gives sexual vigour.
Dolpo goes for Yarchagumba
Thousands of people are making a beeline in Dolpo to collect Yarchagumba and most of them illegally. Thousands of Dolpo-dwellers, from other districts and even from Tibet have gathered in Dolpo, and this mad rush for the herb has led to the illegal collection, transportation and selling of Yarchagumba. People of all ages from school children to youths to old ones are involved in the collection.The rush has increased after the government lifted the ban and on the collection of Yarchagumba in January 2001 hoping to collect millions in revenue. The government fixed a royalty of NRs. 20,000 per kilo. In Patans each piece of Yarchagumba are being sold at NRs. 20 - 23. Last year a piece of herb was sold at NRs. 30. The price for the rare herb within Nepal is NRs. 100, 000 to NRs. 140, 000 per kg.
Baglung - Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve:
The Maoists taking care of the reserve management have opened up collection of rare herb 'Yarchagumba' . The opening has attracted crowds of illegal collectors of Yarchagumba. Maoist workers have entered the area to take the royalty from the collectors. According to the Reserve officials, it is illegal to collect the rare herb within the Reserve although it is permissible by paying royalty outside the Reserve.
The reserve is about 100 km west of Baglung at an altitude of 16, 000 feet (about 4,900 m) from the sea level. People come to the area in the pretext of business and get one piece of herb in exchange for a packet of noodles, locals say. They collect by paying to the Maoists, and export it to Tibet of China and India through contractors. The collectors pay NRs. 10 per piece of herb to the Maoists. The businessmen buy it at NRs. 40-50 from the farmers and sell it to Tibetan and Indian contractors.
The reserve is about 100 km west of Baglung at an altitude of 16, 000 feet (about 4,900 m) from the sea level. People come to the area in the pretext of business and get one piece of herb in exchange for a packet of noodles, locals say. They collect by paying to the Maoists, and export it to Tibet of China and India through contractors. The collectors pay NRs. 10 per piece of herb to the Maoists. The businessmen buy it at NRs. 40-50 from the farmers and sell it to Tibetan and Indian contractors.
Use of Yarchagumba limited
In Nepal the use of Yarchagumba is merely limited to its collection and export to foreign countries. Until 2001, its collection was illegal but the government, in response to its popularity and pressure from various organisations, attempted to regulate the trade by lifting the ban and imposing a substantial tax or royalty of Rs 20,000 on every kg of Yarshagumba collected. Best quality Yarshagumba fetches up to $15,000 per kg.
Geology
Geologists have subdivided the rocks comprising Mount Everest into three units called "formations".[68][69] Each of these formations are separated from each other by low-angle faults, called “detachments”, along which they have been thrust over each other. From the summit of Mount Everest to its base these rock units are the Qomolangma Formation, the North Col Formation, and the Rongbuk Formation.From its summit to the top of the Yellow Band, about 8,600 m (28,000 ft) above sea level, the top of Mount Everest consists of the Qomolangma Formation, which has also been designated as either the Everest Formation or Jolmo Lungama Formation. It consists of grayish to dark gray or white, parallel laminated and bedded, Ordovician limestone interlayered with subordinate beds of recrystallized dolomite with argillaceous laminae and siltstone. Gansser first reported finding microscopic fragments of crinoids in these limestones.[70] Later petrographic analysis of samples of the limestones from near the summit revealed them to be composed of carbonate pellets and finely fragmented remains of trilobites, crinoids, and ostracods. Other samples were so badly sheared and recrystallized that their original constituents could not be determined. A thick, white-weathering thrombolite bed that is 60 m (200 ft) thick comprises the foot of the "Third Step," and base of the summit pyramid of Everest. This bed, which crops out starting about 70 m (300 ft) below the summit of Mount Everest, consists of sediments trapped, bound, and cemented by the biofilms of microorganisms, especially cyanobacteria, in shallow marine waters. The Qomolangma Formation is broken up by several high-angle faults that terminate at the low angle thrust fault, the Qomolangma Detachment. This detachment separates it from the underlying Yellow Band. The lower five metres of the Qomolangma Formation overlying this detachment are very highly deformedThe remainder of the North Col Formation, exposed between 7,000 to 8,200 m (23,000 to 26,900 ft) on Mount Everest, consists of interlayered and deformed schist, phyllite, and minor marble. Between 7,600 and 8,200 m (24,900 and 26,900 ft), the North Col Formation consists chiefly of biotite-quartz phyllite and chlorite-biotite phyllite intercalated with minor amounts of biotite-sericite-quartz schist. Between 7,000 and 7,600 m (23,000 and 24,900 ft), the lower part of the North Col Formation consists of biotite-quartz schist intercalated with epidote-quartz schist, biotite-calcite-quartz schist, and thin layers of quartzose marble. These metamorphic rocks appear to the result of the metamorphism of late Middle Cambrian deep sea flysch composed of interbedded, mudstone, shale, clayey sandstone, calcareous sandstone, graywacke, and sandy limestone. The base of the North Col Formation is a regional thrust fault called the "Lhotse detachment
Thefts and other crimes
Some climbers have reported life-threatening thefts from supply caches. Vitor Negrete, the first Brazilian to climb Everest without oxygen and part of David Sharp's party, died during his descent, and theft from his high-altitude camp may have contributed.[64]
In addition to theft, the 2008 book High Crimes by Michael Kodas describes unethical guides and Sherpas, prostitution and gambling at the Tibet Base Camp, fraud related to the sale of oxygen bottles, and climbers collecting donations under the pretense of removing trash from the mountain
In addition to theft, the 2008 book High Crimes by Michael Kodas describes unethical guides and Sherpas, prostitution and gambling at the Tibet Base Camp, fraud related to the sale of oxygen bottles, and climbers collecting donations under the pretense of removing trash from the mountain
Various records
The youngest person to climb Mount Everest was Ming Kipa Sherpa, a 15-year-old Sherpa girl (via the northern side),[50] and the youngest non-Nepalese was 17-year-old Malibu resident Johnny Strange in May 2009.[51] Apa Sherpa holds the record for reaching the summit more times than any other person (19 times as of May 2009[update]).The fastest ascent over the northeast ridge was accomplished in 2007 by Austrian climber Christian Stangl, who needed 16h 42min for the 10 km distance from Camp III to the summit, just barely beating Italian Hans Kammerlander's record of 17 hours, accomplished in 1996. Both men climbed alone and without supplementary oxygen. The fastest oxygen-supported ascent over the southeast ridge was Nepalese Pemba Dorjie Sherpa's 2004 climb, using 8h 10min for the 17 km route. The fastest ascent without supplementary oxygen over the southeast ridge was accomplished by French Marc Batard who reached the summit in 22h 30min in 1988The oldest climber to successfully reach Mt. Everest's summit is 76-year-old Min Bahadur Sherchan, who did so 25 May 2008 from the Nepal side. Sherchan beat the previous record set in 2007 by 71 year old Katsusuke Yanagisawa
1996 disaster
During the 1996 climbing season, fifteen people died trying to come down from the summit, making it the deadliest single year in Everest history. Eight of them died on 11 May alone. The disaster gained wide publicity and raised questions about the commercialization of Everest.
Journalist Jon Krakauer, on assignment from Outside magazine, was in one of the affected parties, and afterwards published the bestseller Into Thin Air, which related his experience. Anatoli Boukreev, a guide who felt impugned by Krakauer's book, co-authored a rebuttal book called The Climb. The dispute sparked a large debate within the climbing community. In May 2004, Kent Moore, a physicist, and John L. Semple, a surgeon, both researchers from the University of Toronto, told New Scientist magazine that an analysis of weather conditions on 11 May suggested that freak weather caused oxygen levels to plunge approximately 14%.[42][43]
The storm's impact on climbers on the mountain's other side, the North Ridge, where several climbers also died, was detailed in a first hand account by British filmmaker and writer Matt Dickinson in his book The Other Side of Everest
Journalist Jon Krakauer, on assignment from Outside magazine, was in one of the affected parties, and afterwards published the bestseller Into Thin Air, which related his experience. Anatoli Boukreev, a guide who felt impugned by Krakauer's book, co-authored a rebuttal book called The Climb. The dispute sparked a large debate within the climbing community. In May 2004, Kent Moore, a physicist, and John L. Semple, a surgeon, both researchers from the University of Toronto, told New Scientist magazine that an analysis of weather conditions on 11 May suggested that freak weather caused oxygen levels to plunge approximately 14%.[42][43]
The storm's impact on climbers on the mountain's other side, the North Ridge, where several climbers also died, was detailed in a first hand account by British filmmaker and writer Matt Dickinson in his book The Other Side of Everest
First ascents without supplemental oxygen
On 8 May 1978, Reinhold Messner (Italy) and Peter Habeler (Austria) made the first ascent without supplemental oxygen, using the southeast ridge route.[28][41] On 20 August 1980, Messner reached the summit of the mountain solo for the first time, without supplementary oxygen or support, on the more difficult Northwest route via the North Col to the North Face and the Great Couloir. He climbed for three days entirely alone from his base camp at 6,500 metres (21,300 ft
First successful ascent by Tenzing and Hillary
In 1953, a ninth British expedition, led by John Hunt, returned to Nepal. Hunt selected two climbing pairs to attempt to reach the summit. The first pair (Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans) came within 100 m (300 feet) of the summit on 26 May 1953, but turned back after becoming exhausted. As planned, their work in route finding and breaking trail and their caches of extra oxygen were of great aid to the following pair. Two days later, the expedition made its second and final assault on the summit with its second climbing pair, the New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, a sherpa climber from India and Nepal. They reached the summit at 11:30 a.m. local time on 29 May 1953 via the South Col Route. At the time, both acknowledged it as a team effort by the whole expedition, but Tenzing revealed a few years later that Hillary had put his foot on the summit first.[40] They paused at the summit to take photographs and buried a few sweets and a small cross in the snow before descending.
News of the expedition's success reached London on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, June 2. Returning to Kathmandu a few days later, Hunt (a Briton) and Hillary (a subject of Elizabeth, through her role as head of state of New Zealand) discovered that they had been promptly knighted in the Order of the British Empire, a KBE, for the ascent. Tenzing (a subject of the King of Nepal) was granted the George Medal by the UK. Hunt was ultimately made a life peer in Britain, while Hillary became a founding member of the Order of New Zealand.
News of the expedition's success reached London on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, June 2. Returning to Kathmandu a few days later, Hunt (a Briton) and Hillary (a subject of Elizabeth, through her role as head of state of New Zealand) discovered that they had been promptly knighted in the Order of the British Empire, a KBE, for the ascent. Tenzing (a subject of the King of Nepal) was granted the George Medal by the UK. Hunt was ultimately made a life peer in Britain, while Hillary became a founding member of the Order of New Zealand.
Early expeditions
In 1885, Clinton Thomas Dent, president of the Alpine Club, suggested that climbing Mount Everest was possible in his book Above the Snow Line.[35]
The northern approach to the mountain was discovered by George Mallory on the first expedition in 1921. It was an exploratory expedition not equipped for a serious attempt to climb the mountain. With Mallory leading (and thus becoming the first European to set foot on Everest's flanks) they climbed the North Col 7,007 metres (22,989 ft). From there, Mallory espied a route to the top, but the party was unprepared for the great task of climbing any further and descended.
The British returned for a 1922 expedition. George Finch ("The other George") climbed using oxygen for the first time. He ascended at a remarkable speed — 950 feet (290 m) per hour, and reached an altitude of 8,320 m (27,300 ft), the first time a human climbed higher than 8,000m. This feat was entirely lost on the British climbing establishment — except for its "unsporting" nature. Mallory and Col. Felix Norton made a second unsuccessful attempt. Mallory was faulted for leading a group down from the North Col which got caught in an avalanche. Mallory was pulled down too, but seven native porters were killed.
The next Expedition was in 1924. The initial attempt by Mallory and Bruce, was aborted when weather conditions precluded the establishment of Camp VI. The next attempt was that of Norton and Somervell who climbed without oxygen and in perfect weather, traversing the North Face into the Great Couloir. Norton managed to reach 8,558 metres (28,077 ft), though he ascended only 100 feet (30 m) or so in the last hour. Mallory rustled up oxygen equipment for a last-ditch effort. He chose the young Andrew Irvine as his partner.
On 8 June 1924 George Mallory and Andrew Irvine made an attempt on the summit via the North Col/North Ridge/Northeast Ridge route from which they never returned. On 1 May 1999 the Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition found Mallory's body on the North Face in a snow basin below and to the west of the traditional site of Camp VI. Controversy has raged in the mountaineering community as to whether or not one or both of them reached the summit 29 years before the confirmed ascent (and of course, safe descent) of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
In 1933, Lady Houston, a British millionaire ex-showgirl, funded the Houston Everest Flight of 1933, which saw a formation of aircraft led by the Marquess of Clydesdale fly over the summit in an effort to deploy the British Union Flag at the top.[36][37]
Early expeditions — such as Bruce's in the 1920s and Hugh Ruttledge's two unsuccessful attempts in 1933 and 1936 — tried to make an ascent of the mountain from Tibet, via the north face. Access was closed from the north to western expeditions in 1950, after the Chinese asserted control over Tibet. In 1950, Bill Tilman and a small party which included Charles Houston, Oscar Houston and Betsy Cowles undertook an exploratory expedition to Everest through Nepal along the route which has now become the standard approach to Everest from the south.[38]
In the spring of 1952 a Swiss expedition, lead by Edouard Wyss-Dunant was granted permission to attempt a climb from Nepal. The expedition established a route through the Khumbu ice fall and ascended to the South Col at an elevation of 7,986 metres (26,201 ft). Raymond Lambert and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were able to reach a height of about 8,595 metres (28,199 ft) on the southeast ridge, setting a new climbing altitude record. Tenzing's experience was useful when he was hired to be part of the British expedition in 1953.
The northern approach to the mountain was discovered by George Mallory on the first expedition in 1921. It was an exploratory expedition not equipped for a serious attempt to climb the mountain. With Mallory leading (and thus becoming the first European to set foot on Everest's flanks) they climbed the North Col 7,007 metres (22,989 ft). From there, Mallory espied a route to the top, but the party was unprepared for the great task of climbing any further and descended.
The British returned for a 1922 expedition. George Finch ("The other George") climbed using oxygen for the first time. He ascended at a remarkable speed — 950 feet (290 m) per hour, and reached an altitude of 8,320 m (27,300 ft), the first time a human climbed higher than 8,000m. This feat was entirely lost on the British climbing establishment — except for its "unsporting" nature. Mallory and Col. Felix Norton made a second unsuccessful attempt. Mallory was faulted for leading a group down from the North Col which got caught in an avalanche. Mallory was pulled down too, but seven native porters were killed.
The next Expedition was in 1924. The initial attempt by Mallory and Bruce, was aborted when weather conditions precluded the establishment of Camp VI. The next attempt was that of Norton and Somervell who climbed without oxygen and in perfect weather, traversing the North Face into the Great Couloir. Norton managed to reach 8,558 metres (28,077 ft), though he ascended only 100 feet (30 m) or so in the last hour. Mallory rustled up oxygen equipment for a last-ditch effort. He chose the young Andrew Irvine as his partner.
On 8 June 1924 George Mallory and Andrew Irvine made an attempt on the summit via the North Col/North Ridge/Northeast Ridge route from which they never returned. On 1 May 1999 the Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition found Mallory's body on the North Face in a snow basin below and to the west of the traditional site of Camp VI. Controversy has raged in the mountaineering community as to whether or not one or both of them reached the summit 29 years before the confirmed ascent (and of course, safe descent) of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
In 1933, Lady Houston, a British millionaire ex-showgirl, funded the Houston Everest Flight of 1933, which saw a formation of aircraft led by the Marquess of Clydesdale fly over the summit in an effort to deploy the British Union Flag at the top.[36][37]
Early expeditions — such as Bruce's in the 1920s and Hugh Ruttledge's two unsuccessful attempts in 1933 and 1936 — tried to make an ascent of the mountain from Tibet, via the north face. Access was closed from the north to western expeditions in 1950, after the Chinese asserted control over Tibet. In 1950, Bill Tilman and a small party which included Charles Houston, Oscar Houston and Betsy Cowles undertook an exploratory expedition to Everest through Nepal along the route which has now become the standard approach to Everest from the south.[38]
In the spring of 1952 a Swiss expedition, lead by Edouard Wyss-Dunant was granted permission to attempt a climb from Nepal. The expedition established a route through the Khumbu ice fall and ascended to the South Col at an elevation of 7,986 metres (26,201 ft). Raymond Lambert and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were able to reach a height of about 8,595 metres (28,199 ft) on the southeast ridge, setting a new climbing altitude record. Tenzing's experience was useful when he was hired to be part of the British expedition in 1953.
Northeast ridge
The northeast ridge route begins from the north side of Everest in Tibet. Expeditions trek to the Rongbuk Glacier, setting up Base Camp at 5,180 m (16,990 ft) on a gravel plain just below the glacier. To reach Camp II, climbers ascend the medial moraine of the east Rongbuk Glacier up to the base of Changtse at around 6,100 m (20,000 ft). Camp III (ABC - Advanced Base Camp) is situated below the North Col at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). To reach Camp IV on the north col, climbers ascend the glacier to the foot of the col where fixed ropes are used to reach the North Col at 7,010 m (23,000 ft). From the North Col, climbers ascend the rocky north ridge to set up Camp V at around 7,775 m (25,500 ft). The route crosses the North Face in a diagonal climb to the base of the Yellow Band reaching the site of Camp VI at 8,230 m (27,000 ft). From Camp VI, climbers will make their final summit push. Climbers face a treacherous traverse from the base of the First Step: 27,890 feet - 28,000 feet, to the crux of the climb, the Second Step: 28,140 feet - 28,300 feet. (The Second Step includes a climbing aid called the "Chinese ladder", a metal ladder placed semi-permanently in 1975 by a party of Chinese climbers. It has been almost continuously in place since, and ladders have been used by virtually all climbers on the route.) Once above the Second Step the inconsequential Third Step is clambered over: 28,510 feet - 28,870 feet. Once above these steps, the summit pyramid is climbed by means of a snow slope of 50 degrees, to the final summit ridge along which the top is reached.[34]
Southeast ridge
The ascent via the southeast ridge begins with a trek to Base Camp at 5,380 m (17,700 ft) on the south side of Everest in Nepal. Expeditions usually fly into Lukla (2,860 m) from Kathmandu and pass through Namche Bazaar. Climbers then hike to Base Camp, which usually takes six to eight days, allowing for proper altitude acclimatization in order to prevent altitude sickness.[32] Climbing equipment and supplies are carried by yaks, dzopkyos (yak hybrids) and human porters to Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier. When Hillary and Tenzing climbed Everest in 1953, they started from Kathmandu Valley, as there were no roads further east at that time.
Climbers will spend a couple of weeks in Base Camp, acclimatizing to the altitude. During that time, Sherpas and some expedition climbers will set up ropes and ladders in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Seracs, crevasses and shifting blocks of ice make the icefall one of the most dangerous sections of the route. Many climbers and Sherpas have been killed in this section. To reduce the hazard, climbers will usually begin their ascent well before dawn when the freezing temperatures glue ice blocks in place. Above the icefall is Camp I at 6,065 metres (19,900 ft).
From Camp I, climbers make their way up the Western Cwm to the base of the Lhotse face, where Camp II or Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is established at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). The Western Cwm is a relatively flat, gently rising glacial valley, marked by huge lateral crevasses in the centre which prevent direct access to the upper reaches of the Cwm. Climbers are forced to cross on the far right near the base of Nuptse to a small passageway known as the "Nuptse corner". The Western Cwm is also called the "Valley of Silence" as the topography of the area generally cuts off wind from the climbing route. The high altitude and a clear, windless day can make the Western Cwm unbearably hot for climbers.[33]
From ABC, climbers ascend the Lhotse face on fixed ropes up to Camp III, located on a small ledge at 7,470 m (24,500 ft). From there, it is another 500 metres to Camp IV on the South Col at 7,920 m (26,000 ft). From Camp III to Camp IV, climbers are faced with two additional challenges: The Geneva Spur and The Yellow Band. The Geneva Spur is an anvil shaped rib of black rock named by a 1952 Swiss expedition. Fixed ropes assist climbers in scrambling over this snow covered rock band. The Yellow Band is a section of interlayered marble, phyllite, and semischist which also requires about 100 metres of rope for traversing it.[33]
Climbers will spend a couple of weeks in Base Camp, acclimatizing to the altitude. During that time, Sherpas and some expedition climbers will set up ropes and ladders in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Seracs, crevasses and shifting blocks of ice make the icefall one of the most dangerous sections of the route. Many climbers and Sherpas have been killed in this section. To reduce the hazard, climbers will usually begin their ascent well before dawn when the freezing temperatures glue ice blocks in place. Above the icefall is Camp I at 6,065 metres (19,900 ft).
From Camp I, climbers make their way up the Western Cwm to the base of the Lhotse face, where Camp II or Advanced Base Camp (ABC) is established at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). The Western Cwm is a relatively flat, gently rising glacial valley, marked by huge lateral crevasses in the centre which prevent direct access to the upper reaches of the Cwm. Climbers are forced to cross on the far right near the base of Nuptse to a small passageway known as the "Nuptse corner". The Western Cwm is also called the "Valley of Silence" as the topography of the area generally cuts off wind from the climbing route. The high altitude and a clear, windless day can make the Western Cwm unbearably hot for climbers.[33]
From ABC, climbers ascend the Lhotse face on fixed ropes up to Camp III, located on a small ledge at 7,470 m (24,500 ft). From there, it is another 500 metres to Camp IV on the South Col at 7,920 m (26,000 ft). From Camp III to Camp IV, climbers are faced with two additional challenges: The Geneva Spur and The Yellow Band. The Geneva Spur is an anvil shaped rib of black rock named by a 1952 Swiss expedition. Fixed ropes assist climbers in scrambling over this snow covered rock band. The Yellow Band is a section of interlayered marble, phyllite, and semischist which also requires about 100 metres of rope for traversing it.[33]
Climbing routes
Mt. Everest has two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from Tibet, as well as many other less frequently climbed routes.[28] Of the two main routes, the southeast ridge is technically easier and is the more frequently-used route. It was the route used by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 and the first recognized of fifteen routes to the top by 1996.[28] This was, however, a route decision dictated more by politics than by design as the Chinese border was closed to the western world in the 1950s after the People's Republic of China took over TibetMost attempts are made during May before the summer monsoon season. As the monsoon season approaches, a change in the jet stream at this time pushes it northward, thereby reducing the average wind speeds high on the mountain.[30][31] While attempts are sometimes made after the monsoons in September and October, when the jet stream is again temporarily pushed northward, the additional snow deposited by the monsoons and the less stable weather patterns (tail end of the monsoon) makes climbing extremely difficult
Comparisons
The summit of Everest is the point at which the Earth's surface reaches the greatest distance above sea level. Several other mountains are sometimes claimed as alternative "tallest mountains on Earth". Mauna Kea in Hawaii is tallest when measured from its base;[26] it rises over 10,200 m (6.3 mi) when measured from its base on the mid-ocean floor, but only attains 4,205 m (13,796 ft) above sea level.
By the same measure of base[26] to summit, Mount McKinley, in Alaska, is also taller than Everest. Despite its height above sea level of only 6,193.6 m (20,320 ft), Mount McKinley sits atop a sloping plain with elevations from 300 m (980 ft) to 900 m (3,000 ft), yielding a height above base in the range of 5,300 to 5,900 m (17,400 to 19,400 ft); a commonly quoted figure is 5,600 m (18,400 ft).[27] By comparison, reasonable base elevations for Everest range from 4,200 m (13,800 ft) on the south side to 5,200 m (17,100 ft) on the Tibetan Plateau, yielding a height above base in the range of 3,650 to 4,650 m (11,980 to 15,260 ft).[22]
The summit of Chimborazo in Ecuador is 2,168 m (7,113 ft) farther from the Earth's centre (6,384.4 km (3,967.1 mi)) than that of Everest (6,382.3 km (3,965.8 mi)), because the Earth bulges at the Equator. However, Chimborazo attains a height of only 6,267 m (20,561 ft) above sea level, and by this criterion it is not even the highest peak of the Andes.
Climbing routes
By the same measure of base[26] to summit, Mount McKinley, in Alaska, is also taller than Everest. Despite its height above sea level of only 6,193.6 m (20,320 ft), Mount McKinley sits atop a sloping plain with elevations from 300 m (980 ft) to 900 m (3,000 ft), yielding a height above base in the range of 5,300 to 5,900 m (17,400 to 19,400 ft); a commonly quoted figure is 5,600 m (18,400 ft).[27] By comparison, reasonable base elevations for Everest range from 4,200 m (13,800 ft) on the south side to 5,200 m (17,100 ft) on the Tibetan Plateau, yielding a height above base in the range of 3,650 to 4,650 m (11,980 to 15,260 ft).[22]
The summit of Chimborazo in Ecuador is 2,168 m (7,113 ft) farther from the Earth's centre (6,384.4 km (3,967.1 mi)) than that of Everest (6,382.3 km (3,965.8 mi)), because the Earth bulges at the Equator. However, Chimborazo attains a height of only 6,267 m (20,561 ft) above sea level, and by this criterion it is not even the highest peak of the Andes.
Climbing routes
Measurement
In 1856, Andrew Waugh announced Everest (then known as Peak XV) as 29,002 ft high, after several years of calculations based on observations made by the Great Trigonometric Survey.
More recently, the mountain has been found to be 8,848 m (29,029 ft) high, although there is some variation in the measurements. On 9 October 2005, after several months of measurement and calculation, the PRC's State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping officially announced the height of Everest as 8,844.43 m (29,017.16 ft) with accuracy of ±0.21 m (0.69 ft). They claimed it was the most accurate and precise measurement to date.[18] This height is based on the actual highest point of rock and not on the snow and ice covering it. The Chinese team also measured a snow/ice depth of 3.5 m (11 ft),[19] which is in agreement with a net elevation of 8,848 m (29,029 ft). The snow and ice thickness varies over time, making a definitive height of the snow cap impossible to determine.
The elevation of 8,848 m (29,029 ft) was first determined by an Indian survey in 1955, made closer to the mountain, also using theodolites. It was subsequently reaffirmed by a 1975 Chinese measurement.[19] In both cases the snow cap, not the rock head, was measured. In May 1999 an American Everest Expedition, directed by Bradford Washburn, anchored a GPS unit into the highest bedrock. A rock head elevation of 8,850 m (29,035 ft), and a snow/ice elevation 1 m (3 ft) higher, were obtained via this device.[20] Although it has not been officially recognized by Nepal,[21] this figure is widely quoted. Geoid uncertainty casts doubt upon the accuracy claimed by both the 1999 and 2005 surveys.
A detailed photogrammetric map (at a scale of 1:50,000) of the Khumbu region, including the south side of Mount Everest, was made by Erwin Schneider as part of the 1955 International Himalayan Expedition, which also attempted Lhotse. An even more detailed topographic map of the Everest area was made in the late 1980s under the direction of Bradford Washburn, using extensive aerial photography.[22]
It is thought that the plate tectonics of the area are adding to the height and moving the summit northeastwards. Two accounts suggest the rates of change are 4 mm (0.16 in) per year (upwards) and 3 to 6 mm (0.12 to 0.24 in) per year (northeastwards),[20][23] but another account mentions more lateral movement (27 mm/1.1 in),[24] and even shrinkage has been suggested.[25]
More recently, the mountain has been found to be 8,848 m (29,029 ft) high, although there is some variation in the measurements. On 9 October 2005, after several months of measurement and calculation, the PRC's State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping officially announced the height of Everest as 8,844.43 m (29,017.16 ft) with accuracy of ±0.21 m (0.69 ft). They claimed it was the most accurate and precise measurement to date.[18] This height is based on the actual highest point of rock and not on the snow and ice covering it. The Chinese team also measured a snow/ice depth of 3.5 m (11 ft),[19] which is in agreement with a net elevation of 8,848 m (29,029 ft). The snow and ice thickness varies over time, making a definitive height of the snow cap impossible to determine.
The elevation of 8,848 m (29,029 ft) was first determined by an Indian survey in 1955, made closer to the mountain, also using theodolites. It was subsequently reaffirmed by a 1975 Chinese measurement.[19] In both cases the snow cap, not the rock head, was measured. In May 1999 an American Everest Expedition, directed by Bradford Washburn, anchored a GPS unit into the highest bedrock. A rock head elevation of 8,850 m (29,035 ft), and a snow/ice elevation 1 m (3 ft) higher, were obtained via this device.[20] Although it has not been officially recognized by Nepal,[21] this figure is widely quoted. Geoid uncertainty casts doubt upon the accuracy claimed by both the 1999 and 2005 surveys.
A detailed photogrammetric map (at a scale of 1:50,000) of the Khumbu region, including the south side of Mount Everest, was made by Erwin Schneider as part of the 1955 International Himalayan Expedition, which also attempted Lhotse. An even more detailed topographic map of the Everest area was made in the late 1980s under the direction of Bradford Washburn, using extensive aerial photography.[22]
It is thought that the plate tectonics of the area are adding to the height and moving the summit northeastwards. Two accounts suggest the rates of change are 4 mm (0.16 in) per year (upwards) and 3 to 6 mm (0.12 to 0.24 in) per year (northeastwards),[20][23] but another account mentions more lateral movement (27 mm/1.1 in),[24] and even shrinkage has been suggested.[25]
Naming
With the height now established, what to name the peak was clearly the next challenge. While the survey was anxious to preserve local names if possible (e.g. Kangchenjunga and Dhaulagiri) Waugh argued that he was unable to find any commonly used local name. Waugh's search for a local name was hampered by Nepal and Tibet being closed to foreigners at the time. Many local names existed, with perhaps the best known in Tibet for several centuries being Chomolungma, which had appeared on a 1733 map published in Paris by the French geographer D'Anville. However, Waugh argued that with the plethora of local names, it would be difficult to favour one specific name over all others. So, he decided that Peak XV should be named after George Everest, his predecessor as Surveyor General of India.[7][10] He wrote:
I was taught by my respected chief and predecessor, Colonel Sir George Everest to assign to every geographical object its true local or native appellation. But here is a mountain, most probably the highest in the world, without any local name that we can discover, whose native appellation, if it has any, will not very likely be ascertained before we are allowed to penetrate into Nepal. In the meantime the privilege as well as the duty devolves on me to assign…a name whereby it may be known among citizens and geographers and become a household word among civilized nations.[11]
George Everest opposed the name suggested by Waugh and told the Royal Geographical Society in 1857 that Everest could not be written in Hindi nor pronounced by "the native of India". Waugh's proposed name prevailed despite the objections, and in 1865, the Royal Geographical Society officially adopted Mount Everest as the name for the highest mountain in the world.[7] Interestingly, the modern pronunciation of Everest /ˈɛvərɨst, ˈɛvrɨst/[12] is in fact different from Sir George's pronunciation of his surname, which was /ˈiːvrɨst/.[13]
I was taught by my respected chief and predecessor, Colonel Sir George Everest to assign to every geographical object its true local or native appellation. But here is a mountain, most probably the highest in the world, without any local name that we can discover, whose native appellation, if it has any, will not very likely be ascertained before we are allowed to penetrate into Nepal. In the meantime the privilege as well as the duty devolves on me to assign…a name whereby it may be known among citizens and geographers and become a household word among civilized nations.[11]
George Everest opposed the name suggested by Waugh and told the Royal Geographical Society in 1857 that Everest could not be written in Hindi nor pronounced by "the native of India". Waugh's proposed name prevailed despite the objections, and in 1865, the Royal Geographical Society officially adopted Mount Everest as the name for the highest mountain in the world.[7] Interestingly, the modern pronunciation of Everest /ˈɛvərɨst, ˈɛvrɨst/[12] is in fact different from Sir George's pronunciation of his surname, which was /ˈiːvrɨst/.[13]
Identifying the highest mountain
In 1808, the British began the Great Trigonometric Survey of India to determine the location and names of the world's highest mountains. Starting in southern India, the survey teams gradually moved northward using giant 500 kg (1,100 lb) theodolites (each requiring 12 men to carry) to measure heights as accurately as possible. They reached the Himalayan foothills by the 1830s, but Nepal was unwilling to allow the British to enter the country because of suspicions of political aggression and possible annexation. Several requests by the surveyors to enter Nepal were turned down.[7]
The British were forced to continue their observations from Terai, a region south of Nepal which is parallel to the Himalayas. Conditions in Terai were difficult owing to torrential rains and malaria — three survey officers died from malaria while two others had to retire owing to failing health.[7]
Nonetheless, in 1847, the British pressed on and began detailed observations of the Himalayan peaks from observation stations up to 240 km (150 mi) away. Weather restricted work to the last three months of the year. In November 1847, Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India made a number of observations from Sawajpore station located in the eastern end of the Himalayas. At the time, Kangchenjunga was considered the highest peak in the world, and with interest he noted a peak beyond it, some 230 km (140 mi) away. John Armstrong, one of Waugh's officials, also saw the peak from a location further west and called it peak 'b'. Waugh would later write that the observations indicated that peak 'b' was higher than Kangchenjunga, but given the great distance of the observations, closer observations were required for verification. The following year, Waugh sent a survey official back to Terai to make closer observations of peak 'b', but clouds thwarted all attempts.[7]
In 1849, Waugh dispatched James Nicolson to the area. Nicolson was able to make two observations from Jirol, 190 km (120 mi) away. Nicolson then took the largest theodolite and headed east, obtaining over 30 observations from five different locations, with the closest being 174 km (108 mi) away from the peak.[7]
Nicolson retreated to Patna on the Ganges to perform the necessary calculations based on his observations. His raw data gave an average height of 9,200 m (30,200 ft) for peak 'b', but this did not take into account light refraction which distorts heights. The number clearly indicated, however, that peak 'b' was higher than Kangchenjunga. Unfortunately, Nicolson came down with malaria and was forced to return home, calculations unfinished. Michael Hennessy, one of Waugh's assistants, had begun designating peaks based on roman numerals, with Kangchenjunga named Peak IX, while peak 'b' now became known as Peak XV.[7]
In 1852, stationed at the survey's headquarters in Dehradun, Radhanath Sikdar, an Indian mathematician and surveyor from Bengal, was the first to identify Everest as the world's highest peak, using trigonometric calculations based on Nicolson's measurements.[8] An official announcement that Peak XV was the highest was delayed for several years as the calculations were repeatedly verified. Waugh began work on Nicolson's data in 1854, and along with his staff spent almost two years working on the calculations, having to deal with the problems of light refraction, barometric pressure, and temperature over the vast distances of the observations. Finally, in March 1856 he announced his findings in a letter to his deputy in Kolkata. Kangchenjunga was declared to be 28,156 ft (8,582 m), while Peak XV was given the height of 29,002 ft (8,840 m). Waugh concluded that Peak XV was "most probably the highest in the world".[7] In fact, Peak XV (measured in feet) was calculated to be exactly 29,000 ft (8,839.2 m) high, but was publicly declared to be 29,002 ft (8,839.8 m). The arbitrary addition of 2 ft (61 cm) was to avoid the impression that an exact height of 29,000 feet (8,839.2 m) was nothing more than a rounded estimate.[9]
The British were forced to continue their observations from Terai, a region south of Nepal which is parallel to the Himalayas. Conditions in Terai were difficult owing to torrential rains and malaria — three survey officers died from malaria while two others had to retire owing to failing health.[7]
Nonetheless, in 1847, the British pressed on and began detailed observations of the Himalayan peaks from observation stations up to 240 km (150 mi) away. Weather restricted work to the last three months of the year. In November 1847, Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India made a number of observations from Sawajpore station located in the eastern end of the Himalayas. At the time, Kangchenjunga was considered the highest peak in the world, and with interest he noted a peak beyond it, some 230 km (140 mi) away. John Armstrong, one of Waugh's officials, also saw the peak from a location further west and called it peak 'b'. Waugh would later write that the observations indicated that peak 'b' was higher than Kangchenjunga, but given the great distance of the observations, closer observations were required for verification. The following year, Waugh sent a survey official back to Terai to make closer observations of peak 'b', but clouds thwarted all attempts.[7]
In 1849, Waugh dispatched James Nicolson to the area. Nicolson was able to make two observations from Jirol, 190 km (120 mi) away. Nicolson then took the largest theodolite and headed east, obtaining over 30 observations from five different locations, with the closest being 174 km (108 mi) away from the peak.[7]
Nicolson retreated to Patna on the Ganges to perform the necessary calculations based on his observations. His raw data gave an average height of 9,200 m (30,200 ft) for peak 'b', but this did not take into account light refraction which distorts heights. The number clearly indicated, however, that peak 'b' was higher than Kangchenjunga. Unfortunately, Nicolson came down with malaria and was forced to return home, calculations unfinished. Michael Hennessy, one of Waugh's assistants, had begun designating peaks based on roman numerals, with Kangchenjunga named Peak IX, while peak 'b' now became known as Peak XV.[7]
In 1852, stationed at the survey's headquarters in Dehradun, Radhanath Sikdar, an Indian mathematician and surveyor from Bengal, was the first to identify Everest as the world's highest peak, using trigonometric calculations based on Nicolson's measurements.[8] An official announcement that Peak XV was the highest was delayed for several years as the calculations were repeatedly verified. Waugh began work on Nicolson's data in 1854, and along with his staff spent almost two years working on the calculations, having to deal with the problems of light refraction, barometric pressure, and temperature over the vast distances of the observations. Finally, in March 1856 he announced his findings in a letter to his deputy in Kolkata. Kangchenjunga was declared to be 28,156 ft (8,582 m), while Peak XV was given the height of 29,002 ft (8,840 m). Waugh concluded that Peak XV was "most probably the highest in the world".[7] In fact, Peak XV (measured in feet) was calculated to be exactly 29,000 ft (8,839.2 m) high, but was publicly declared to be 29,002 ft (8,839.8 m). The arbitrary addition of 2 ft (61 cm) was to avoid the impression that an exact height of 29,000 feet (8,839.2 m) was nothing more than a rounded estimate.[9]
Mount Everest
Mount Everest - also called Qomolangma Peak (Tibetan: ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ), Mount Sagarmāthā (Nepali: सगरमाथा), Chajamlungma (Limbu), Zhumulangma Peak (Chinese: 珠穆朗玛峰 Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng) or Mount Chomolungma - is the highest mountain on Earth above sea level, and the highest point on the Earth's continental crust, as measured by the height above sea level of its summit, 8,848 metres (29,029 ft). The mountain, which is part of the Himalaya range in Asia, is located on the border between Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal, and Tibet, China.
In 1856, the Great Trigonometric Survey of India established the first published height of Everest, then known as Peak XV, at 29,002 ft (8,840 m). In 1865, Everest was given its official English name by the Royal Geographical Society upon recommendation of Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India at the time. Chomolungma had been in common use by Tibetans for centuries, but Waugh was unable to propose an established local name because Nepal and Tibet were closed to foreigners.
The highest mountain in the world attracts well-experienced mountaineers as well as novice climbers who are willing to pay substantial sums to professional mountain guides to complete a successful climb. The mountain, while not posing substantial technical climbing difficulty on the standard route (other eight-thousanders such as K2 or Nanga Parbat are much more difficult), still has many inherent dangers such as altitude sickness, weather and wind. By the end of the 2008 climbing season, there had been 4,102 ascents to the summit by about 2,700 individuals.[4] Climbers are a significant source of tourist revenue for Nepal, whose government also requires all prospective climbers to obtain an expensive permit, costing up to US $ 25,000 per person.[5] Everest has claimed 210 lives, including eight who perished during a 1996 storm high on the mountain. Conditions are so difficult in the death zone that most corpses have been left where they fell. Some of them are visible from standard climbing routes.[6]
In 1856, the Great Trigonometric Survey of India established the first published height of Everest, then known as Peak XV, at 29,002 ft (8,840 m). In 1865, Everest was given its official English name by the Royal Geographical Society upon recommendation of Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India at the time. Chomolungma had been in common use by Tibetans for centuries, but Waugh was unable to propose an established local name because Nepal and Tibet were closed to foreigners.
The highest mountain in the world attracts well-experienced mountaineers as well as novice climbers who are willing to pay substantial sums to professional mountain guides to complete a successful climb. The mountain, while not posing substantial technical climbing difficulty on the standard route (other eight-thousanders such as K2 or Nanga Parbat are much more difficult), still has many inherent dangers such as altitude sickness, weather and wind. By the end of the 2008 climbing season, there had been 4,102 ascents to the summit by about 2,700 individuals.[4] Climbers are a significant source of tourist revenue for Nepal, whose government also requires all prospective climbers to obtain an expensive permit, costing up to US $ 25,000 per person.[5] Everest has claimed 210 lives, including eight who perished during a 1996 storm high on the mountain. Conditions are so difficult in the death zone that most corpses have been left where they fell. Some of them are visible from standard climbing routes.[6]
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Real Nepal
Real is defined as an actually existing or occurring in fact, not imagined or supposed, significant, serious and not artificial. The word Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan country located in between India and China at north.The country name 'Nepal' is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word nipalaya, which means "at the foot of the Himalaya Mountains". Also the word Nepal is believed to be related to Tibetan word niyampal, which means "Holy Land". And a much broader meaning of Nepal can be as a country of natural beauty, home of legendary Gorkhas, the only country having the highest land on earth - Mt. Everest, and as a home of peace loving Lord, Buddha, and Hindu Goddess, Sita. Definition can go on and on, Nepal has endless meaning. Nepal is a country where over 100 spoken languages are found, is a country of over 70 different ethnic groups living in harmony having their own unique traditions, customs and culture.Our main goal is to promote Nepal's hidden beauty, its world class heritage sites, colorful art and culture, people and places and wonderful landscape through photography. We are sure that every visitor can experience real Nepal through this website RealNepal.com.np! This idea to explore hidden beauty of Nepal came in our mind in the year 2007. Then, we two friends, Prashanta Shrestha and Vishow Vijaya Khanal started RealNepal.com.np.
various introduction of nepal
Nepal has different and various introduction and names, it is known as the country of Mt.Everest, rivers, temples, himalaya and a beautiful garden of different casts of people, where they live peacefully like the flowers of a garden.
The nature of nepal.
Nepal is beautifully makeuped by the nature, it has its own characteristics. In the north part of nepal there many mountains shining like the braslet of pearl. The mountains name are Mt.Everest or sagarmatha which is the most highest mountain in the world, and the hight is 8848 mitre,Dhaulagiri it is 7th highest mountain in the world, Machhapuchhree, Annapurna, Kanchanjangha, Manaslu, Api, Saipal, Gaurishankar, etc these are the mostly introduced mountain in the world. From the snow of these mountains there are many rivers are floowing in nepal, and the rivers are Karnali, Mahakali, Seti, Veri, Kaligandhakai, Narayani, Mechi, Koshi, Saptakoshi, Marsyangdi, Trisuli, Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi etc. these are well known rivers in Nepal and in the world because thousands of tourists makes their destination Nepal for rafting in these rivers. Nepal is devided in three region they are Himalayaregion, Mountainregion, and Terairegion. Himalayan region is coverd by the snow it so beautiful, the mountain region is covered by the jungle, and the plain area of nepal in the west is called Terai region which is known as the region of food store.
The nature of nepal.
Nepal is beautifully makeuped by the nature, it has its own characteristics. In the north part of nepal there many mountains shining like the braslet of pearl. The mountains name are Mt.Everest or sagarmatha which is the most highest mountain in the world, and the hight is 8848 mitre,Dhaulagiri it is 7th highest mountain in the world, Machhapuchhree, Annapurna, Kanchanjangha, Manaslu, Api, Saipal, Gaurishankar, etc these are the mostly introduced mountain in the world. From the snow of these mountains there are many rivers are floowing in nepal, and the rivers are Karnali, Mahakali, Seti, Veri, Kaligandhakai, Narayani, Mechi, Koshi, Saptakoshi, Marsyangdi, Trisuli, Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi etc. these are well known rivers in Nepal and in the world because thousands of tourists makes their destination Nepal for rafting in these rivers. Nepal is devided in three region they are Himalayaregion, Mountainregion, and Terairegion. Himalayan region is coverd by the snow it so beautiful, the mountain region is covered by the jungle, and the plain area of nepal in the west is called Terai region which is known as the region of food store.
Securing Rights to Land for Peace and Food Security
The International Land Coalition Conference and Assembly 2009 takes place from 21-24 April 2009 at the Yak & Yeti Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal18. marts 2009
The International Land Coalition (ILC) will hold its 2009 Conference and Assembly of Members in Kathmandu, Nepal on April 21-24, 2009. The international conference, titled Securing Rights to Land for Peace and Food Security, will bring together some 150 stakeholders from 40 countries, including policy makers, technical experts, practitioners, activists and researchers. Together, they will share knowledge, assess global progress on land issues over the past biennium and plan future collaboration.
The ILC Assembly of Members will be held on the final day of the event. The Assembly is the ILC’s highest governing body and the forum for members to review performance and plan the future activities of the Coalition.
Nepal was chosen as the site of the 2009 ILC Conference and Assembly in recognition of the challenges and opportunities presented by political transformation following the end of a decade-long armed conflict. Land reform is an important topic in Nepal’s peace and development agenda, as evidenced by the Comprehensive Peace Accord of November 2006, the Interim Constitution of 2007, and the Joint Manifesto of six major political parties.
Working with local host organization Community Self-Reliance Centre (CSRC) and a Nepal Coordinating Committee, ILC will invite Nepali government officials and civil society representatives to draw on a wealth of experiences from the ILC global network. Global delegates will also learn Nepali experiences, including successful experiences with grassroots land rights movements (through the National Land Rights Forum - NLRF) and social forestry (through the Federation of Community Forest Users Network – FECOFUN).
The 2009 ILC Conference and Assembly comes at a critical moment in the global land context. The ways in which land is accessed and used are rapidly changing around the globe. Increased demand for agricultural commodities and ecosystem services including carbon sequestration are driving significant and sustained increases in land values.
The International Land Coalition (ILC) will hold its 2009 Conference and Assembly of Members in Kathmandu, Nepal on April 21-24, 2009. The international conference, titled Securing Rights to Land for Peace and Food Security, will bring together some 150 stakeholders from 40 countries, including policy makers, technical experts, practitioners, activists and researchers. Together, they will share knowledge, assess global progress on land issues over the past biennium and plan future collaboration.
The ILC Assembly of Members will be held on the final day of the event. The Assembly is the ILC’s highest governing body and the forum for members to review performance and plan the future activities of the Coalition.
Nepal was chosen as the site of the 2009 ILC Conference and Assembly in recognition of the challenges and opportunities presented by political transformation following the end of a decade-long armed conflict. Land reform is an important topic in Nepal’s peace and development agenda, as evidenced by the Comprehensive Peace Accord of November 2006, the Interim Constitution of 2007, and the Joint Manifesto of six major political parties.
Working with local host organization Community Self-Reliance Centre (CSRC) and a Nepal Coordinating Committee, ILC will invite Nepali government officials and civil society representatives to draw on a wealth of experiences from the ILC global network. Global delegates will also learn Nepali experiences, including successful experiences with grassroots land rights movements (through the National Land Rights Forum - NLRF) and social forestry (through the Federation of Community Forest Users Network – FECOFUN).
The 2009 ILC Conference and Assembly comes at a critical moment in the global land context. The ways in which land is accessed and used are rapidly changing around the globe. Increased demand for agricultural commodities and ecosystem services including carbon sequestration are driving significant and sustained increases in land values.
Citizenship certificate a must
One barrier that KIDC and the villagers had to overcome was the need for citizenship certificates. Without this certificate a person cannot get his or her land registered and in rural Nepal especially women often lack this important document. The certificate can be obtained from the age of 16 and women, who do not register before they marry, need their husband’s signature to obtain the certificate.
“In our village 5-7 women did not have a citizenship certificate, but we got it for them and now they are also registered and ready to receive land”, says Jaya Ram and adds that in his own case only his wife is signed up for the family’s land certificate “If something happens to me my wife will have no problems”, he smiles.
In this way the need for village block land certificates has become the opportunity for women to gain equal rights to property. This right may increase the status of females in the family, both before and after marriage. Premlatta Bhatta expresses her hopes for this in the following way: “When a daughter is born, the community treats you very badly. When you get married, your family need to give dowry. If not, you get beaten or even killed. This is why we believe both the son and the daughter should have equal right to their father’s property”.
Ten villages is a start and as such a victory for KIDC and the entire land rights movement, but time has not come for KIDC to sit back and enjoy their achievements: “We were promised four survey teams and got only one, so we need to pressure the government again to make them implement their promises”, says Nirajan Lamsal, programme coordinator of KIDC.
“In our village 5-7 women did not have a citizenship certificate, but we got it for them and now they are also registered and ready to receive land”, says Jaya Ram and adds that in his own case only his wife is signed up for the family’s land certificate “If something happens to me my wife will have no problems”, he smiles.
In this way the need for village block land certificates has become the opportunity for women to gain equal rights to property. This right may increase the status of females in the family, both before and after marriage. Premlatta Bhatta expresses her hopes for this in the following way: “When a daughter is born, the community treats you very badly. When you get married, your family need to give dowry. If not, you get beaten or even killed. This is why we believe both the son and the daughter should have equal right to their father’s property”.
Ten villages is a start and as such a victory for KIDC and the entire land rights movement, but time has not come for KIDC to sit back and enjoy their achievements: “We were promised four survey teams and got only one, so we need to pressure the government again to make them implement their promises”, says Nirajan Lamsal, programme coordinator of KIDC.
Now our village has been scaled and measured
Premlata Bhata
“One of our friend’s wife was very sick. He didn’t have any money and went to a bank to get a loan but he could not as he didn’t have the land ownership certificate for the land. Therefore his wife passed away. The village block should be measured and such issues should be raised”.
Premlata Bhatta, who is a central member of National Village Block Land Right Forum, looks sad as she tells the story of how land certificates came too late to her village. Like many other poor villagers in southern Nepal Premlata and her family reside in a village which is registered as one single block, hence they do not have individual ownership.
But lately the future of such villages has started to look a little brighter. Due to
intense village mobilisation and national level advocacy with CA-members and politicians KIDC has managed to get land survey started in ten villages in Kapilvastu: ”Our organisation Gautam Buddha requested that our land was measured and now the village is scaled and separated nicely”, Mina Kewat, from Tilaurakot, Kapilvastu, explains when we visited her village fields in early spring 2009, Gautam Buddha is one of ten smaller NGOs that together constitute KIDC.
“Now that we are getting land certificates we can take loans and carry out activities. That makes us very happy”, Jaya Ram Kewat a senior villager from the same village says, standing in his neatly weeded chili field. “And we don’t quarrel so much now”, an elderly lady adds.
“One of our friend’s wife was very sick. He didn’t have any money and went to a bank to get a loan but he could not as he didn’t have the land ownership certificate for the land. Therefore his wife passed away. The village block should be measured and such issues should be raised”.
Premlata Bhatta, who is a central member of National Village Block Land Right Forum, looks sad as she tells the story of how land certificates came too late to her village. Like many other poor villagers in southern Nepal Premlata and her family reside in a village which is registered as one single block, hence they do not have individual ownership.
But lately the future of such villages has started to look a little brighter. Due to
intense village mobilisation and national level advocacy with CA-members and politicians KIDC has managed to get land survey started in ten villages in Kapilvastu: ”Our organisation Gautam Buddha requested that our land was measured and now the village is scaled and separated nicely”, Mina Kewat, from Tilaurakot, Kapilvastu, explains when we visited her village fields in early spring 2009, Gautam Buddha is one of ten smaller NGOs that together constitute KIDC.
“Now that we are getting land certificates we can take loans and carry out activities. That makes us very happy”, Jaya Ram Kewat a senior villager from the same village says, standing in his neatly weeded chili field. “And we don’t quarrel so much now”, an elderly lady adds.
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