#nepalNOW Media Advisory | Popular Trekking Areas Declared ‘SAFE’

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From the 35 trekking routes only two are affected. Two of the most popular trekking areas of Nepal, Annapurna and Mount Everest have been given the green light by US based Earthquake engineering specialists Miyamoto International. Operators looking for reassurance on safety for travelers in the Annapurna and Mount Everest regions had to rely on anecdotal evidence to date.

The reports on earthquake-related damage in the Annapurna and Mount Everest region have been welcomed by the government of Nepal, trekking companies, and development agencies behind the assessment, who see it as an important step towards the country’s economic recovery.

Suresh Man Shrestha, Secretary of Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, said: “There has been a decline in foreign tourists since the earthquake. Tourism is very important for Nepal’s economy and for the Nepalese people. But, we needed to assess the areas of the trekking regions that have to be reconstructed for the safety of our visitors.”

The reports confirmed that the Annapurna region, located in the Himalayas in north-central Nepal, sustained “very little damage, with the three percent of buildings which were damaged in the earthquake all easily repairable”.

Dr Kit Miyamoto, the technical team leader and a structural earthquake engineer, said: “The aim of the report was to develop an overall understanding of the extent of the damage from the earthquakes so that we could assess the safety of the region’s trekking routes.

“Annapurna is ready to open for business. The report highlights areas where organisations can help Nepal rebuild stronger than ever. We now have the information needed to take action. ”

The assessment mission received funding from UK-AID and World Bank on behalf of the government of Nepal in a joint public-private initiative to conduct the expert assessment.

Sources

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