Friday, November 20, 2009

Himalayan White water Challenge 2009 : Nepal Rafting

Introduction:



Nepal, with its bountiful water flowing from the peaks of the Himalayas and the high passes from the Tibetan plateau, possesses some of the finest whitewater rivers in the world. Additionally, Nepal is also home to one of the strongest and largest river tourism communities in the global industry. Comprised of approximately 61 companies, Nepal's river tourism industry employs thousands of native Nepalese and is entirely Nepali owned, operated and supplied, a fact which makes it unique among other forms of tourism development in the Himalayan kingdom (and indeed, in the world!). However, whitewater rafting in Nepal, while well known among several specialist river running communities across the world, has had relatively little publicity and as such is an extremely valuable yet little appreciated and publicized form of sustainable development for the country of Nepal. 
 

The Event:
With this in mind, the Nepal Association of Rafting Agents has developed a proposal for the introduction of a river running event that has the potential to stimulate interest in Nepal as a tourist destination in general and Nepal's rivers in particular as one of the world's premier river running tourism destinations. Himalayan Whitewater Challenge in Nepal is a multi discipline one boat event that combines extreme slalom / river running skills with down river speed and freestyle action to find an overall whitewater champion. This event, which will combine state of the art forms of extreme whitewater slalom, head to head down river racing and amazing displays of freestyle rodeo maneuvers into one world class competitive event. Additionally, this event will also allow for a competitive display of Nepal's rafting history as there will be a down river raft race in which Nepal's original Nepali raft guides, the current company owners, will guide rafts filled with their companies' best guides in a head to head race down the Bhotekoshi river to claim the honor of 'Top OG' (Original Guide). As such, this event promises to be not only a world class competitive affair, but also an opportunity for Nepal to demonstrate its long standing tradition of whitewater rafting expertise among its citizens. 

Event Size and Expected Economic Benefits to Nepal's Tourism Industry



 

The event's organizer expected to attract to approximately 100-150 foreign competitors and approximately 100 Nepali participants, in addition to nearly 200-250 spectators, all of whom will help spread the world of Nepal's awesome whitewater tourism potential to those that they know aboard. Additionally, the foreign participants will all ply into Katmandu's Tribhuban International Airport, many of Nepalese air couriers Royal Nepal Airline and then stay in Katmandu's hotels and guesthouse. Where they will shop for good and eat and local restaurants, helping to bolster the country's critical tourism industry that has taken such hard blows in 2001 due to both national and international crises. Additionally, experience has shown that these participants will travel throughout Nepal after the events to paddle many of Nepal's world class rivers and as such will help to benefit other areas throughout the country economically. Further, as a by-product of the is event, publicity about Nepal as a safe and secure tourism destination will be disseminated helping to stimulate other non whitewater bases sectors of Nepal's tourism industry as well.


Himalayan White Water Challenge-2008 concluded:
Himalayan White water Challenge-2008 organized by Nepal Association of Rafting Agents (NARA) in partnership with Peak UK Kayaking, promoted by Nepal Tourism Board & supported by Nationally and Internationally water sports private company successfully concluded in Trisuli, one of the world class river located in Chitwan district of Nepal on November 2008 with the theme "Lets save Trisuli River". The objective of this challenge was to promote adventurous sports tourism activities in Nepal. About 80 participants from USA, UK, Iran, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, France and 30 participants from Nepal enthusiastically took part in three days long challenge from 17 to 19 November 2007. The challenge was divided into different events like Nepalese Junior Kayak (Men), Senior Kayak (Men) and Rafting Competition. At the Same time the prize was also distributed to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd position sponsored by verities of the water sports company their produced that hold 1st, 2nd and 3rd position on this event respectively.


Source: raftingassociation.org.np

Friday, October 2, 2009

Mount Choyu Expedition Nepal

The name Mount Cho Oyu is called 'Goddess of Turquoise'. As goddess is 'chomo' in Tibetan language and turquoise is 'yu'. Hence, 'Chomo Yu' has changed into Cho Oyu in course of changing civilization generation after generation. It is also reported that Cho Oyu is also called 'Mighty Head' meaning 'god's head'. On a clear weather, the view from the summit plateau of Cho Oyu is breathtaking. One can view the entire panorama of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Chamlang, Ama Dablam and other peaks of the Khumbu.
Cho Oyu stands high above the Tibetan plains on the boarder of Nepal with its mighty height 8,201m above the sea level. The expedition is an ideal choice for mountaineers ready to test themselves on the eight thousanders. 



Cho Oyu, the world's sixth highest mountain at 8,201m, is located just west of Everest and Lhotse along the Nepal-Tibet border. Cho Oyu is a straightforward climb and not technically demanding, from the Tibetan Side. This is an excellent mountain for climbers wanting to scale their first 8,000m peak.

Our expedition group makes a spectacular flight into Lhasa, from Kathmandu, over the great Himalayan mountain chain. On arrival to Lhasa we will make a sightseeing tour of "Lhasa" in Tibetan means "the land of Gods" including winter and summer residence of Dalai Lama, Jokhang monastery, Sera monastery and Barkhor square. After a 3 days tour in Lhasa we will begin our expedition toward Mount Cho-Oyu thorough Tibet's scenic landscapes crossing several passes and visiting the fortresses of Gyantse and Xigatse, the second largest city of Tibet

The Expedition continues toward Cho-Oyu base through Tingri, which is an old Tibetan settlement with typical clustered Tibetan styled housing at the foot of small hillock. A short exploration in the settlement can expose you a typical remote Tibetan lifestyle. Right from the roadside of Tingri, you can see the Mt. Everest, Makalu, Gyan Kung and Mount Cho-Oyu.

Final expedition preparation including, rope management, final checking of technical equipment, group discussion, rest, acclimatization etc will done in Chines Base camp, before making our accent to advanced base camp at 5700m. After all the preparation advanced base camp will be set and the expedition begins with our climbing Sherpas, most of the rope fixing will be done by our climbing Sherpas. The C3, the base to the summit, will be set at 7500m. on the north-east face. During the period of the setting of the Camp Three, all climbing member will have done up and down several times for a proper acclimatization. Date of the summit will be fixed depending on the condition of physical fitness and weather condition.

Buddha was born in Nepal

WIKIMAPIA OVER LUMBINI BIRTH PLACE OF BUDDHA
Where was buddha born?





Although India has been claiming that Budda was born in their land, King Ashoka who visited Nepal centuries ago himself has left certification that Buddha was Born in Lumbini, Nepal. This claim of india isn't new as as it even claims that Everest of Nepal and Karakorum Mt. K2 of Pakistan to be theirs.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Bungy Nepal The Last resort

Bungy Nepal is operated at The Last Resort and located 12 km from the Tibetan Border in Nepal. Bungy Nepal was set up by Kiwi David Allerdice and Nepali Bishnu Neopanae. Together they scouted the area for a long time to find the perfect location for the 166 meter long and 160 meter high suspension bridge. The bridge was finally built in three months and the first jump took place in 1999.

Two new partners have since joined the company, Australian Pat o’Keeffe and Dutch Sam Voolstra. The company has 50 staff members, the majority from the local area. They were trained by international experts and together run two offices, one resort, the bungy and swing operation, canyoning and hiking. We work together with Ultimate Rivers and HMB for rafting and mountain biking.

Before the construction the local villagers had to walk five hours to cross the river gorge. The building of the bridge has a positive impact on the development of the local economy and infrastructure.

Details
http://www.bungynepal.com/index.htm












Sky Diving adventure gallery


Sky diving Everest 2009

This October, your adventure begins in Nepal.
Extreme sky diving over Everest.

Accompanied by a team of expert skydivers and mountain climbers assembled by our friends at High and Wild, you'll tandem jump from an altitude of over 29,000 feet. You'll freefall in front of Everest and land on the highest drop zone on the planet.
Highlights:
  • The most fabulous skydiving adventure in the world
  • First ever tandem skydiving program in front of Mt Everest (29,035ft.)
  • First ever Himalayan skydiving program
  • Freefall past some of the world's highest mountains
  • Land on the highest drop zone in the world
  • Experience the Himalayas from above and below
  • Visit Kathmandu and the Sherpa lands of the Everest region
  • Experience the Himalayan environment
  • Experience a High Altitude jump, with supplementary oxygen
  • Air to air video and photography on each jump
  • Be part of an elite group of international skydivers
  • Jump aircraft: Turbine Pilatus Porter for Altitude, Russian MI17 helicopter and Polish M-28 Skytruck for familiarization jumps
  • DZ vehicles: Equirrel B3 helicopter and local yaks
  • One of the adventure world's utterly unique experiences
More Info

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Yeti, Big Foot, Snow man : History and sightings





The Yeti or Abominable Snowman is a mythological creature and an ape-like cryptid said to inhabit the Himalayan region of Nepal and Tibet. The names Yeti and Meh-Teh are commonly used by the people indigenous to the region, and are part of their history and mythology. Stories of the Yeti first emerged as a facet of Western popular culture in the 19th century.
The scientific community largely regards the Yeti as a legend, given the lack of evidence, yet it remains one of the most famous creatures of cryptozoology. The Yeti can be considered a parallel to the Bigfoot legend of North America

The "Abominable Snowman"
The appellation "Abominable Snowman" was not coined until 1921, the same year Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Howard-Bury led the joint Alpine Club and Royal Geographical Society "Everest Reconnaissance Expedition" which he chronicled in Mount Everest The Reconnaissance, 1921. In the book, Howard-Bury includes an account of crossing the "Lhakpa-la" at 21,000 ft (6,400 m) where he found footprints that he believed "were probably caused by a large 'loping' grey wolf, which in the soft snow formed double tracks rather like a those of a bare-footed man". He adds that his Sherpa guides "at once volunteered that the tracks must be that of "The Wild Man of the Snows", to which they gave the name "metoh-kangmi". "Metoh" translates as "man-bear" and "Kang-mi" translates as "snowman".
Confusion exists between Howard-Bury's recitation of the term "metoh-kangmi" and the term used in Bill Tilman's book Mount Everest, 1938 where Tilman had used the words "metch", which cannot exist in the Tibetan language, and "kangmi" when relating the coining of the term "Abominable Snowman" Further evidence of "metch" being a misnomer is provided by Tibetan language authority Professor David Snellgrove from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London (ca. 1956), who dismissed the word "metch" as impossible, because the consonants "t-c-h" cannot be conjoined in the Tibetan language." Documentation suggests that the term "metch-kangmi" is derived from one source (from the year 1921). It has been suggested that "metch" is simply a misspelling of "metoh".
Like the legend itself, the origin of the term "Abominable Snowman" is rather colourful. It began when Mr Henry Newman, a longtime contributor to The Statesman in Kolkata, using the pen name "Kim", interviewed the porters of the "Everest Reconnaissance expedition" upon their return to Darjeeling. Newman mistranslated the word "metoh" as "filthy" or "dirty", substituting the term "abominable", perhaps out of artistic license. As author Bill Tilman recounts, "[Newman] wrote long after in a letter to The Times: The whole story seemed such a joyous creation I sent it to one or two newspapers'".
History

19th century
In 1832, James Prinsep's Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal published trekker B. H. Hodgson's account of his experiences in northern Nepal. His local guides spotted a tall, bipedal creature covered with long dark hair, which seemed to flee in fear. Hodgson did not see the creature, but concluded it was an orangutan.
An early record of reported footprints appeared in 1889 in Laurence Waddell's Among the Himalayas. Waddell reported his guide's description of a large apelike creature that left the prints, which Waddell concluded were actually made by a bear. Waddell heard stories of bipedal, apelike creatures, but wrote that of the many witnesses he questioned, none "could ever give ... an authentic case. On the most superficial investigation it always resolved into something that somebody had heard of."
20th century
The frequency of reports increased during the early 20th century, when Westerners began making determined attempts to scale the many mountains in the area and occasionally reported seeing odd creatures or strange tracks.
In 1925, N. A. Tombazi, a photographer and member of the Royal Geographical Society, writes that he saw a creature at about 15,000 ft (4,600 m) near Zemu Glacier. Tombazi later wrote that he observed the creature from about 200 to 300 yd (180 to 270 m), for about a minute. "Unquestionably, the figure in outline was exactly like a human being, walking upright and stopping occasionally to pull at some dwarf rhododendron bushes. It showed up dark against the snow, and as far as I could make out, wore no clothes." About two hours later, Tombazi and his companions descended the mountain, and saw what they assumed to be the creature's prints, described as "similar in shape to those of a man, but only six to seven inches long by four inches wide. The prints were undoubtedly those of a biped."
Western interest in the Yeti peaked dramatically in the 1950s. While attempting to scale Mount Everest in 1951, Eric Shipton took photographs of a number of large prints in the snow, at about 6,000 m (20,000 ft) above sea level. These photos have been subject to intense scrutiny and debate. Some argue they are the best evidence of Yeti's existence, while others contend the prints are those of a mundane creature that have been distorted by the melting snow.
In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reported seeing large footprints while scaling Mount Everest. Hillary would later discount Yeti reports as unreliable. In his first autobiography Tenzing said that he believed the Yeti was a large ape, and although he had never seen it himself his father had seen one twice, but in his second autobiography he said he had become much more skeptical about its existence.
During the Daily Mail Snowman Expedition of 1954, the mountaineering leader John Angelo Jackson made the first trek from Everest to Kanchenjunga in the course of which he photographed symbolic paintings of the Yeti at Tengboche gompa. Jackson tracked and photographed many footprints in the snow, most of which were identifiable. However, there were many large footprints which could not be identified. These flattened footprint-like indentations were attributed to erosion and subsequent widening of the original footprint by wind and particles.
On March 19, 1954, the Daily Mail printed an article which described expedition teams obtaining hair specimens from what was alleged to be a Yeti scalp found in Pangboche monastery. The hairs were black to dark brown in colour in dim light, and fox red in sunlight. The hair was analysed by Professor Frederic Wood Jones,an expert in human and comparative anatomy. During the study, the hairs were bleached, cut into sections and analysed microscopically. The research consisted of taking microphotographs of the hairs and comparing them with hairs from known animals such as bears and orangutans. Jones concluded that the hairs were not actually from a scalp. He contended that while some animals do have a ridge of hair extending from the pate to the back, no animals have a ridge (as in the Pangboche "scalp") running from the base of the forehead across the pate and ending at the nape of the neck. Jones was unable to pinpoint exactly the animal from which the Pangboche hairs were taken. He was, however, convinced that the hairs were not of a bear or anthropoid ape. He suggested that the hairs were from the shoulder of a coarse-haired hoofed animal.
SÅ‚awomir Rawicz claimed in his book The Long Walk, published in 1956, that as he and some others were crossing the Himalayas in the winter of 1940, their path was blocked for hours by two bipedal animals that were doing seemingly nothing but shuffling around in the snow. Rawicz's entire account has since come to be regarded as fictional.
Beginning in 1957, wealthy American oilman Tom Slick funded a few missions to investigate Yeti reports. In 1959, supposed Yeti feces were collected by one of Slick's expeditions; fecal analysis found a parasite which could not be classified. Cryptozoologist Bernard Heuvelmans wrote, "Since each animal has its own parasites, this indicated that the host animal is equally an unknown animal."
In 1959, actor James Stewart, while visiting India, reportedly smuggled remains of a supposed Yeti, the so-called Pangboche Hand, by concealing it in his luggage when he flew from India to London.
In 1960, Hillary mounted an expedition to collect and analyze physical evidence of the Yeti. He sent a supposed Yeti "scalp" from the Khumjung monastery to the West for testing, whose results indicated the scalp was manufactured from the skin of a serow, a goat-like Himalayan antelope. Anthropologist Myra Shackley disagreed with this conclusion on the grounds that the "hairs from the scalp look distinctly monkey-like, and that it contains parasitic mites of a species different from that recovered from the serow."[citation needed]
In 1970, British mountaineer Don Whillans claimed to have witnessed a creature when scaling Annapurna. According to Whillans, while scouting for a campsite, he heard some odd cries which his Sherpa guide attributed to a Yeti's call. That night, he saw a dark shape moving near his camp. The next day, he observed a few human-like footprints in the snow, and that evening, viewed with binoculars a bipedal, ape-like creature for 20 minutes as it apparently searched for food not far from his camp.
In 1984, famed mountaineer David P. Sheppard of Hoboken, New Jersey, claims to have been followed by a large, furry man over the course of several days while he was near the southern Col of Everest. His sherpas, however, say they saw no such thing. Sheppard claims to have taken a photograph of the creature, but a later study of it proved inconclusive.
There is a famous Yeti hoax, known as the Snow Walker Film, created by Fox television network, in an attempt to deceive the public. The footage was created for Paramount's UPN show, Paranormal Borderland, ostensibly by the show's producers. The show ran from March 12 to August 6, 1996. Fox purchased and used the footage in their later program on The World's Greatest Hoaxes.[34]
21st century
In 2004, Henry Gee, editor of the prestigious journal Nature, mentioned the Yeti as an example of a legend deserving further study, writing, "The discovery that Homo floresiensis survived until so very recently, in geological terms, makes it more likely that stories of other mythical, human-like creatures such as Yetis are founded on grains of truth ... Now, cryptozoology, the study of such fabulous creatures, can come in from the cold."
In early December 2007, American television presenter Joshua Gates and his team (Destination Truth) reported finding a series of footprints in the Everest region of Nepal resembling descriptions of Yeti. Each of the footprints measured 33 cm (13 in) in length with five toes that measured a total of 25 cm (9.8 in) across. Casts were made of the prints for further research. The footprints were examined by Jeffrey Meldrum of Idaho State University, who believed them to be too morphologically accurate to be fake or man made.[citation needed] Meldrum also stated that they were very similar to a pair of Bigfoot footprints that were found in another area.[citation needed]
On July 25, 2008, the BBC reported that hairs collected in the remote Garo Hills area of North-East India by Dipu Marak had been analyzed at Oxford Brookes University in the UK by primatologist Anna Nekaris and microscopy expert Jon Wells. These initial tests were inconclusive, and ape conservation expert Ian Redmond told the BBC that there was similarity between the cuticle pattern of these hairs and specimens collected by Edmund Hilary during Himalayan expeditions in the 1950s and donated to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and announced planned DNA analysis. This analysis has since revealed that the hair came from the Himalayan Goral.

On October 20, 2008 a team of seven Japanese adventurers photographed footprints they believed to have been made by a Yeti. The team's leader, Yoshiteru Takahashi claims to have observed a Yeti on a 2003 expedition and is determined to capture the creature on film.

Everest Base camp: Ready for Expedition



Everest Base Camp : A rest below the Heaven

Dashain : Greatest festival of Nepal

Dasain


Dashain (दशैं) is the 10-day national festival of Nepal, and a state festival of Indian states of Sikkim and the Darjeeling district of West Bengal.It is also a national holiday in Bhutan. Now it is celebrated all around the world by the Nepalese diaspora. The festival falls around September-October, after the rice harvest. This festival is known for emphasis on family gatherings, as well as on a renewal of community ties. People will return from all parts of the world, as well as different parts of the country, to celebrate together.

The festival is a blend of Hindu Tantrik and animistic harvest festival traditions. On the first day, called Ghatasthapana, the "Dashain Ghar", or special worship room, is set up—this room is used to worship the Astha-Matrikas (the 8 tantrik goddesses) as well as the Nava Durgas (the 9 durga goddesses), to whom the festival is consecrated. Married women will say the mantras for the next fifteen days, and guard the goddesses. Barley is sowed on big earthern pots which have a coating of cow dung. These seeds will sprout in ten days. The sprouts, which symbolize a good harvest, will be decoratively placed on the heads of family members later on in the festival as a blessing.
[edit] Dashain's Tika and Jamara
The Tika (In red color) and Jamara (green color) used in Dashain.

On the seventh day, Fulpaati, the town of Gorkha sends an offering of flowers to the kathmandu. A band associated with the army also plays its music and goes through the old core of Kathmandu.

The eighth day, Asthami, is the day of sacrifices. Goddess temples all over the Kathmandu Valley receive sacrifices, ranging from goats and buffaloes to ducks and chickens. Blood, symbolic for its fertility, is offered to the goddesses. This meat is taken home and cooked as "prasad", or food blest by divinity. This food is offered, in tiny leaf plates, to the household gods, then distributed amongst the family. Eating this food is thought to be auspicious.

Sacrifices continue on Navami, the ninth day. Families will visit various temples around the Kathmandu Valley. On the tenth day, "Dashami," a mixture of rice, yogurt and vermillion will be prepared by the women. This preparation is known as "tika". Elders put this on the forehead of younger relatives to bless them with fertility and abundance in the upcoming year. The red also symbolizes the blood that ties the family together. Elders will give "dakshina", or a small amount of money, to younger relatives at this time. The tika continues for five days, during which time people also gather to play cards around massive amounts of food and drink.

In several parts of Nepal, Dashain is the only time of the year when people receive a set of new clothing. Likewise, in poorer families, the animal sacrifice was eagerly anticipated since it might be the only animal protein the family would eat all year. This may be true in certain parts of Nepal where food is in low supply, but is less so in the cities. In general, the tradition of sacrifice is lessening with the easy availability of meat for daily consumption, and with the influences of Vaishnav Hindus (who are vegetarian).

In recent times, Dashain has become commercialized, with industries sponsoring events around the festival to sell goods

Friday, August 14, 2009

Sky Diving Over Everest


SKY diving


The first Everest Skydiving 2008, where Forty-two daring adventure seekers, including two Nepalese, enjoyed skydiving over the world's highest peak in the Everest Region from October 3-11. A total of 33 divers from 14 countries took part and the participants hailed it as one of the biggest tourism and adventure event since the first ascent of the Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hilary in 1953.

The skydivers boarded a Pilatus Porter from Tenzing-Hillary airstrip in Lukla and launched themselves from above the height of Mt. Everest and descended down to Syangboche through parachutes following a free fall of a few minutes. Nima Tamang and Maya Gurung became the first Nepalese to enjoy skydiving. Maya Gurung is facilitated as the first Nepali woman to climb and skydive from Mt Everest and called her a brave woman.

World Champion Skydiver from New Zealand Wendy Smith, who also took part in the diving, lauded the scenic beauty that the skydiving from the Everest provided.
Smith, an independent aerial photographer who has already skydived 17,700 times said, "The technology and safety measures were praiseworthy, but the visual beauty was extraordinary, as it was the most exciting experience of my life and I look forward to come back."

IDOLS OF NEPAL

JANAKI ( Goddess SITA)
Mithila Art


Lord BUDDHA ( LIGHT OF ASIA)

TSHO ROLPA NEPAL



The glacier lake lies under a group of mountains that include Gauri Shankar (7.134 m) and many other beautiful 6.000m such as Numbur and Chobutse. The tranquil valley looks up at holy Gauri Shankar and Tso Rolpa. The Rolwaling Khola area, which is the heart of Rolwaling Himal, has much fewer trekkers And therefore maintains the same tranquillity as before. This trekking course also leads continuously to Tashi Lapsa pass.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Tiger Save them


Tiger
Overview
Common Name: Tiger; Tigre(Fr); Tigre(Sp)

Scientific Name: Panthera tigris spp

Population: Only around 4,000 tigers remain in the wild

Background


© WWF-Canon / Vladimir FILONOV
The tiger, largest of all cats, is one of the most charismatic and evocative species on Earth; it is also one of the most threatened. Less than 4,000 remain in the wild, most in isolated pockets spread across increasingly fragmented forests stretching from India to south-eastern China and from the Russian Far East to Sumatra, Indonesia.

Poisoned, trapped, snared, shot, captured...
Across its range, this magnificent animal is being persecuted. Today, tigers are poisoned, shot, trapped and snared, and the majority of these animals are sought to meet the demands of a continuing illegal wildlife trade - which includes traditional Chinese medicine.

Hunters, traders, and poor local residents whose main means of subsistence comes from the forest, are wiping out the tiger and the natural prey upon which it depends. While poaching for trade continues to menace the tiger's survival, perhaps the greatest long-term threats are the loss of habitat and the depletion of the tiger's natural prey. Large commercial plantations have replaced a lot of tiger habitat in several tropical range countries.

Three tiger subspecies are already extinct, and a fourth is on its way

Tiger Study

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WWF in 2005 collaborated with other organizations on the most comprehensive scientific study of tiger habitats ever done. The study finds that tigers reside in 40 percent less habitat than they were thought to a decade ago and now occupy only seven percent of their historic range.

The study also finds that conservation efforts have resulted in some populations remaining stable and even increasing, but concludes that long-term success is only achieved where there is broad landscape-level conservation and buy-in from stakeholders.

Learn more.
In the past century, the world has lost three of the nine tiger subspecies. The Bali, Caspian, and Javan tigers have all become extinct ... and many scientists believe the South China tiger is “functionally extinct”.

Priority areas offer the best hope for tiger conservation
WWF's tiger conservation strategy and action plan - Conserving Tigers in the Wild: A WWF Framework Strategy for Action 2002-2010 - identifies seven focal tiger landscapes where the chances of long-term tiger conservation are best, and four additional areas where conservation opportunities are good.

In each of the focal landscapes, WWF aims to establish and manage effective tiger conservation areas, reduce the poaching of tigers and their prey, eliminate the trade in tiger parts and products, create incentives that will encourage local communities and others to support tiger conservation, and build capacity for tiger conservation.

Physical Description


© WWF-Canon / Martin HARVEY
The tiger is the largest of the Asian big cats and can be found in a wide range of habitats, from the evergreen and monsoon forests of the Indo-Malayan realm to the mixed coniferous-deciduous woodlands of the Russian Far East and the mangrove swamps of the Sundarbans, shared by India and Bangladesh.

The characteristic stripe patterns differ from one individual to another and from one side of the cat's body to the other. In fact, there are no tigers with identical markings. Males exhibit a characteristic ruff (lengthened hairs around the neck), which is especially marked in the Sumatran tiger.

Tigers are typically solitary hunters and prey mainly on deer and wild pig. Where this prey is in abundance, such as in Chitwan National Park in Nepal, territories range from 10 to 20km² for females and 30 to 70km² for males. In Russia, where the density of prey is much lower, territories vary in size from 200 to 400km² for females and 800 to 1,000km² for males.

Tigers have dens in caves, tree hollows and dense vegetation. They are mostly nocturnal but in the northern part of its range, the Siberian subspecies may also be active during the day at winter-time. Using their sight and hearing rather than smell, the tiger stalks its prey and once it has reached close proximity, attacks from the side or rear and kills by a bite to the neck or the back of the head.

Unless they die, tigers are never replaced on their range. Although individuals do not patrol their territories, the range is visited over a period of days or weeks and it is marked with urine and feces.



Size
Body length is 140-280 cm and tail length is 60 to 95 cm.

Colour
The upper part of the animal ranges from reddish orange to ochre, and the under parts are whitish. The body has a series of black striations of black to dark grey colour.
Habitat
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan, Palearctic

Range States
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia (Sumatra), Lao PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, North Korea (few left), Russia (Far East), Thailand, Vietnam

Why is this species important?
Conservation Results

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Four of WWF's priority regions are important for tiger conservation: Amur-Heilong, Borneo and Sumatra, Eastern Himalayas and Mekong.

Learn more.
The tiger is a powerful symbol of reverence among the variety of cultures that live across its range. They command respect, awe or fear from their human neighbours. Even in places where tigers have become extinct or never existed in the wild, they live in myth and legend.

As top predators, they keep populations of wild ungulates in check, thereby maintaining the balance between prey herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed. A whole myriad of other life-forms are essential to support a healthy tiger population.

Interesting Facts
•A tiger has been reported to cover up to 10 meters in a horizontal leap.
•It is reported that at 11 months, juveniles are already capable of killing prey

Friday, August 7, 2009

Rafting in Nepal : Destination Rivers








BHOTE KOSHI( Grade 5)



The steepest river in Nepal - 3 days
Emerging from Tibet and further branching from Sun Kosi, Bhote Kosi River remains a favourite for its fast-paced adventure and thrills of river rafting. Bhote Kosi river trip is an ideal trip for those looking for short whitewater voyage. On drifting along the call of the wild white waters, the rafting gets steeper arousing class IV- V rapids and later mellows into continuous streams creating class III rapid. Unparalleled in its scenic beauty, Bhote Kosi offers numerous photographic moments and opportunities to visit unexplored archaeological sites and abandoned areas. After thorough safety and paddle briefings, Bhote Kosi whitewater rafting trip begins. Best time for rafting along this river is from October to December and From February to April.






KALI GANDAKI RIVER (4 days)



Kali Gandaki is a sacred river named after Kali, a Hindu goddess. Starting from Mustang glacier, this beckoning river flows down to Muktinath between Dhaulagiri & Annapurna Mountains. It has Nepal’s most challenging river runs making it the largest untapped whitewater potential in the world. There are many cremation sites and burial mounds on its river bank.

Kali Gandaki Expedition is a sheer delightful invitation to all rafters from novice to the most intrepid of adventurers. This rafting trip begins from put-in site at Nayapul and concludes at Ramdighat with a drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu or a flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The river trip takes us to steep canyon overhung with verdant foliage and punctuated by small waterfalls and sidestreams in counterpoint to rapids providing class III to IV+ runs. As we descend through verdant rainforests, we witness unique wildlife, amazing ethno-cultural heritages, fascinating village settlements and picturesque landscape. In a nutshell, this river trip not only quenches our thirst for adventure but also bonds us with nature and equally makes us culture-sensitive.

TRIP FACTS
Trip length: 4 Days
Grade: Class III - IV+
Starts in: Kathmandu
Ends in: Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel & Camping


SUN KOSI RIVER (10 days)

One of the top ten best rivers in the world-10 days
Sun Kosi River is an ideal destination for pursuing a classic white water rafting trip in Nepal. Also popularly known as “Golden River", Sun Kosi is the longest river cascading 270 km through Mahabharat Lekh Mountains to the Himalaya. Journeying through this torrential river on an inflatable rubber boat with life-jackets on, we have nature accompany us all along the river trip bestowing ample opportunity to witness exotic wildlife in its natural habitat. Besides this sheer awe-inspiring whitewater rafting against roaring rapids from put-in point below the Village of Lamosangu to the put-out point at Chatara, we can have cultural encounters as we approach pristine hamlets on terraced hillsides. En route, we may sightsee exotic animals like Languor monkeys, spotted deer, otter anteater etc and many unique bird species. Several Hindu temples come on the way which very well worth a visit. We conclude the trip with a flight from Biratnagar to Kathmandu.

TRIP FACTS
Trip length: 10 Days
Grade: Class III - IV+
Starts in: Kathmandu
Ends in: Biratnagar


TRISHULI RIVER RAFTING
1, 2 or 3 days trip on II+ to IV class River


Trishuli River originates from Gandaki river system and mixes with other rivers like Bheri River, Marsyangdi River and Seti River as it flows ahead. It is widely acknowledged for its most culturally stimulating and exciting river trips in the world. Rafting along the challenging rapids of Trisuli River like Twin Rock, Ladies Delight and Scout Upset can be extremely mind-blowing experience. During this meticulously organized river trip, you journey through the most scenic and secluded miles featuring incredibly blue water, breath-taking alpine scenery and amazing rapids cutting through some of the most varied geology. You also get to enjoy luxurious camps and wonderful off-river activities. Monsoon river rafting is the major attraction of Trisuli River.

LIFESTYLE OF NEPALESE





Culture is embedded in the high peaks of Nepal, tradition flows with its rivers, art traverses through its valleys and religion lies in the heart of its people. Nepal, in short, is a country where art, culture and religion are a part of life of the inhabitants. People celebrate every moment with aroma, adding novelty to the traditions without affecting their essence.

Art of Nepal
The art and architecture of Nepal is deeply influenced by the religion. Unique craftsmanship can be found in temples, architecture, shrines, fountains and the design of religious objects. Art and religion is so deeply interlocked that it is impossible to separate the one from the other. All art forms express both Hindu and Buddhist iconography.


Buddhism in Nepal
Buddhism, the fourth largest religion all over the world, has strong roots in Nepal. Buddhism in Nepal dates from the birth of Siddhartha Gautama himself, therefore Buddhist influences are evident on the culture of Nepal. Nepal is the meeting point for Indian and Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

Culture of Nepal
The culture of Nepal is a assemblage of music, architecture, religion and literature. This mountain kingdom is multi-ethic and multi-lingual. The land is rich with unique cultural groups like Tharu,Yadav, Ahir, Newars and others.
Food of Nepal
Nepalese are great foodies and their food varieties are hot, spicy and nutritious. Newari and Thakali cuisines are the original taste of Nepal. Otherwise, Nepalese style of cooking has been influenced by Indian and Tibetan cooking. Dal Bhat tarkari is the staple food of Nepal. Meat curries and monos are the hot favorites among the tourists.
Music of Nepal
The rhythm, beats, bounce of Nepali traditional folk and classical music is spiritual enough to sooth you and entertaining enough to cheer you. Music is associated with every event in Nepal, then be it birth, marriage, festivals or national events.

People of Nepal

The people of Indo-Aryan community are the original inhabitants of Nepal. No wonder their descendents form the majority even now. Other major groups in Nepal are Gurungs and Magars who live mainly in the western region; Rais, Limbus and Sunwars who live in the eastern mid hills; Sherpas, Manangpas and Lopas who live near the mountains of Everest, Annapurna and Mustang respectively.


Religion of Nepal
Religion in Nepal is not only a system of social coherence based on certain rituals and beliefs, rather it is the binding force that ties the mountain kingdom together. Though Nepal is famous, as the world's only Hindu Kingdom, equal respect is given to other religions as well. Buddhism is the second largest religion followed in Nepal, others being Tantrism, Islam and Christianity.

RHODODENDRON: THE NATIONAL FLOWER OF NEPAL



Thursday, August 6, 2009

Travel Guide Everest

What is the Best way to see Mt.Everest when I don't have enough time in Nepal?


The best way to see Mt. Everest. For those people who are unable to make a trekking trip to the mountains due to lack of time or physical fitness, can experience breath-taking as well as the closer panorama of the Himalayan Ranges with the Mountain Flights. Mountain flights are offered by different Domestice Airlines in Kathmandu Valley operating their small but safest aircrafts. This one hour flight takes you the the Eastern Himalayan Ranges of Nepal, some of the highest peaks in the world including Mt. Everest The flight is an altogether different feeling as one comes face to face with the worlds tallest and most enigmatic of Mountains.

Best Season for Everest Mountain Flight :
Though Mountain Flight is enjoyed by thousands all the year round, through our experience, we would strongly recommend the time period from February to April and October & November as prime time to enjoy the mountain flights. May we invite you to join us to see, feel and discover marvelous legendary Himalayas. It would be our pleasure to present you the certificate of honor for the trip which we are sure gonna beyond the imagination.
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Spectacular - Mountain Flight On Planes and Helicopter
How about discovering Himalayas through Planes or Helicopter? We have gained name for arranging helicopter and plane Everest mountain flights. Any time of the day when you feel like going closer to Himalayas... remember us! Thank you ...... The "must-see" landmark of Nepal is Mt. Everest-the highest mountain in the world. If you believe that seeing Everest involves a strenuous high altitude trek, then think again! with Buddha Air's spectacular "Everest Experience Flights", coming face to face with this majestic peak is as easy as taking just another flight-at the same fare as any other domestic airlines, with a guaranteed window seat. The Most Spectacular Mountain Flight Yeti Airlines The SAAB 340B aircraft is manufactured by SAAB Saam Aircraft AB in Linkoping Sweden. The aircraft passenger Cabin and Cargo Compartments are pressurized and designed to Carry 33 to 36 Passengers, their baggage and Cargo up to 25,000 ft pressure altitude on short to medium haul routes. The aircraft is fabricated in three major sections utilizing conventional metal Construction and composite materials. It is low wing monoplane; powered by two wing mounted turbo propeller engines each driving four blades. The aircraft is provided with retractable tricycle landing gear. It is Transport Category aircraft used for various configuration such as passenger containerized freight etc. What Can I see after sitting on the Plane for Everest Mountin Flight ?? Travelers take off from Kathmandu in the early morning for an hour's worth of spectacular mountain scenery. As the aircraft lifts up and heads towards the east, passengers don't have to wait too long to find out what's in store for them. There they are-the mountains, as they always have been.

First to their far left visitors see Gosaikund (The top Hindu's holy lake), also called Shisha Pangma, standing at the majestic height of 8,013 m. Immediately to the right of Gosaithan, there appears Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m). with snow. To the right of Dorje Lakpa you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. As the plane moves along, the mountains come closer and closer. Next on the vision is Choba- Bhamare, the smallest one of the lot at 5,933 m but singularly stubborn as it has never been climbed. Then appears the mountain that is not only prominent in sight but also in spirituality- Gauri Shanker. Lord Shiva and his consort Gauri are said to protect this mountain, at the proud height of 7,134 m. and the summit had a history of unsuccessful attempts till 1979. Gauri Shanker is sharp and very conspicuous during the mountain flight. As the plane moves towards the land of the rising sun, the eastern Himalayan, a succession of glorious mountains follow. Melungtse, a plateau-like mountain, stretches up to 7,023 m. Chugimago at 6,297 m is still a virgin, waiting to be climbed. At 6,956 m, Number of mountain resembles a breast, the maternal source in the sky providing pure milk to the Sherpas of the Solukhumbu. Next is Karyolung, an intensely white mountain that at 6,511 m gleams with the rising sun. Cho-Oyu is the eighth highest mountain in the world. Reaching a height of 8,201 m, it appears stunningly beautiful from the aircraft. Next on the menu is Gyachungkang, at a majestic height of 7,952 m, considered an extremely difficult climb. To the right of Gyachungkang is Pumori (7,161 m). As passengers get closer to Everest, there's Nuptse. And there's another mountain called Everest (8,848m) known as Sagarmatha (Everest) by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans. The mountain flight takes an hour altogether.

Golden Himalayas

Wednesday, August 5, 2009