Anyone planning a trekking or climbing trip to Nepal this
spring might want to keep an eye on current unrest in the Himalayan
state, which has left Kathmandu short of fuel.
The situation is down to demonstrations and pressure from the
people of the southern plain area who believe that they are badly
treated by the government. As a result of strikes, protests and
alleged threats by activists, fuel tanker drivers from India are
refusing to travel creating the fuel shortages in the capital where a
firsthand witness says that power is now available only 40 per-cent
of the time.
In response to the blockades, the government has declared a
day-time curfew along the main road from India to Kathmandu and is
providing armed escorts for fuel tankers. It has also, reportedly,
opened talks with the main Madheshi party in the area in an effort to
convince them that their grievances are being addressed.
Nepal relies heavily on tourism for foreign currency and with the
pre-monsoon climbing and trekking season approaching fast, will be
looking to alleviate the situation as soon as possible. However with
an election scheduled for 10 April, the worry is that the build-up
will heighten the unrest further.
The election should signal the end of Nepal's monarchy with power
to be in the hands of a democratically elected constituent assembly,
which will devise a new constitution for the country.
The situation is a major concern for the Nepalese tourism industry
which was significantly damaged by the Maoist insurgency which ended
in 2006.
More details at news.bbc.co.uk.
New direct from Nepal at www.nepalnews.com.np.
Ian Brookes
