Latest news with #Limbu
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Forgotten 7,000'ers: The Elusive Kirat Chuli -- Lots of Failures, Just One Ascent
Our Forgotten 7,000'ers series continues with the climbing history of 7,362m Kirat Chuli, a striking, rarely attempted peak in Sikkim, in the Indian Himalaya. Also known as Tent Peak, Kirat Chuli has a prominence of 1,168m and is part of the northern section of the Kangchenjunga massif on the Nepal-India border. The mountain lies between the Teesta River to the east and the Koshi River to the west and is surrounded by notable neighbors: Kangchenjunga and Gimmigela Chuli to the south, Siniolcho and Simvo to the southeast, Drohmo to the northwest, and Pathibara and Langpo Peak to the north. Kirat Chuli's remote location, technical challenges, and harsh weather has limited mountaineering. From the Nepal side, the approach is complicated by heavily crevassed terrain. The mountain holds cultural and religious importance for the Kirat, Limbu, and Rai communities. In the Limbu language, Kirat Chuli means "Kirat People." They believe the mountain is the abode of Yuma Sammang, an omnipotent goddess associated with knowledge, protection, and spiritual well-being. Kirat Chuli's other name, Tent Peak, was likely coined by early Western explorers because of its pyramid tent shape. In 1910, Scottish chemist and mountaineer Alexander Mitchell Kellas scouted the Kangchenjunga region, including Kirat Chuli, as part of his broader exploration of the Sikkim Himalaya. Kellas' goal was to study the geography, assess potential climbing routes, and gather data on the effects of altitude. He approached from Sikkim, likely via the Zemu Glacier. Although Kellas didn't attempt to climb Kirat Chuli, he did climb 6,965m Langpo. Interestingly, Langpo has had only two ascents, both by Kellas. In the summer of 1936, a four-man German party led by Paul Bauer attempted to climb Kirat Chuli by two routes: by the south ridge from the east and by the south ridge via 7,177m Nepal Peak. The Germans eventually abandoned their attempt at the top of Nepal Peak because of poor conditions. One year later, in the spring of 1937, a three-man Swiss-German party arrived, led by Ernst Grob and supported by five Sherpas above base camp. They chose the same route as the 1936 team, the south ridge from Nepal Peak. The Himalayan Database does not provide much information about this attempt, and it is unknown how high they reached or why they retreated. In the spring of 1939, Grob returned, this time with Germans Herbert Paidar and Ludwig Schmaderer and supported by Ajiba Sherpa, Genden Umdu Sherpa, Ila Sherpa, and Ila Tenzing Sherpa. The route was the same. After approaching the Zemu Glacier, they targeted the south ridge via Nepal Peak. They established several camps along the glacier system, following the technical ridge of mixed snow and rock. On May 29, Grob, Paidar, and Schmaderer topped out. The expedition also ascended Langpo South and attempted Gimmigela Chuli and Pyramid Peak. To date, this is the only successful ascent of Kirat Chuli, though there have been eight further attempts on the mountain. In the autumn of 1985, Mike Kefford led a large UK-Nepal expedition up the same route. They turned around at 6,735m on Nepal Peak because of strong winds and heavy snowfall. The next attempt came a year later, in the autumn of 1986, when a French expedition led by Dominique Hembise attempted the same route. The outcome was the same: They abandoned at 6,650m because of snow, wind, and Hembise's frostbite. The French expedition reported especially dangerous avalanche conditions at their Camp 1, located halfway between Cross Peak and Nepal Peak. In the spring of 1995, an Austrian party led by Kurt Elbl attempted the southwest ridge from Sikkim via Nepal Peak. Their highest point was 7,150m, where bad weather ended their climb. In the autumn of the same year, a German party led by Wolfram Schroeter reached 7,150m on Nepal Peak, where they ran out of time and turned around. There were four other attempts via different routes. In the autumn of 2000, Slovenian Andrej Stremfelj and his partners aimed to ascend Jongsang, Pyramid Peak, and Kirat Chuli via its south face. The Slovenians worked in small groups; Stremfelj and two partners were attempting Kirat Chuli when Andrej Markovic, climbing on Jongsang in another group, suffered a fatal fall. Stremfelj's team called off their expedition. Two years later, another Slovenian expedition targeted the west face. Gregor Kresal's party reached 6,700m but ran out of time before reaching the summit. In autumn 2007, the Slovenian Kangbachen Expedition, led by Tone Skarja, also tried the west face. Deep snow and avalanches stopped them below 5,800m. The most recent registered attempt in The Himalayan Database is from 2022. U.S. climbers Spencer Gray (leader), Rushad Nanavatty, and Matthew Zia targeted the north face but turned around at 6,000m in bad conditions. Kirat Chuli remains an elusive prize. Its rugged terrain, icy slopes, and unpredictable conditions have yielded temptingly few triumphs.
Daily Tribune
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Gulf unity in the ring
Eighth open-air boxing event packs a punch The Dilmun Club in Saar hosted the 8th Domestic Open Air Boxing Championship, its fifth consecutive year at the venue, delivering 20 highly competitive bouts. Fighters from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar competed across schoolboy, junior, youth, and elite categories, with top performances drawing a strong crowd and distinguished guests from the boxing world. Organisers opted for a non-traditional bout order, mixing age groups for maximum impact. 'You see, what we've done this time, instead of going through the schoolboys, the juniors, the youth, the elite, we've mixed it all up,' said Bahrain national team head coach Tony Davis. 'So, you know, people have caught their eye and go, wow, these guys are great. Some of the strongest bouts came early to keep the audience locked in.' The approach paid off, with early fights setting a high standard. Davis highlighted the event's broader significance: 'This is our fifth one here. As you can see, it's a cross-community event. Everyone sort of enjoys this. The difference about this event is that we've had all six nations from around the Gulf— Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi, Qatar, UAE, and Oman. The sportsmanship has been absolutely fantastic. We've had some fantastic bouts. And as you can see, how many people are still here, they're loving it.' Bukalaf Edges Limbu The second bout, an elite 63.5kg contest between Ali Bukalaf and Prakash Limbu, proved the night's highlight. Bukalaf secured a 3:2 split decision, earning Best Boxer of the Night, while Limbu's determined effort saw him named Best Runner-Up. 'Obviously, the second bout, Ali Bukhalaf and Prakash Limbu was such a great bout,' Davis noted. The closely fought match captivated the audience. Limbu, speaking to The Daily Tribune, reflected on the result: 'It was close — amateur boxing is based on scoring. I feel like I lost the first round, but gave him a count in the second, so it was 10-8. I pushed hard, gave my best, and put everything on the line. The third round I didn't push as much, but overall I felt it was close. This was one of the most anticipated fights in Bahraini boxing history — Ali Bukalaf vs Prakash Limbu. I did my job, and I'm proud of that. In the ring, someone has to win. I'm happy for him too.' Limbu's coach, Rasheed Mehrinfar, praised both competitors: 'Prakash is a phenomenal fighter, and so is Ali. We trained hard, and he gave his best. In amateur boxing, sometimes it doesn't go your way, but I'm proud of Prakash's performance. This was a long-awaited fight — two top athletes finally meeting in the ring. Alhamdulillah for a well-organized event. It's a valuable learning experience, and we'll come back even stronger, inshAllah.' Elite Division In the elite heavyweight (92+kg) category, Isaac Augustine stopped Kuwait's Omar Hassawi in the first round via RSC. Kriszten Nileborn secured a unanimous 5:0 decision over UAE's Aly Amr Abdalla at 75kg. Fadi Fadhul forced an abandonment from Kuwait's Ahmed AlBahraini at 67kg after a precise body shot, while Nazim Khan won a 3:2 split decision against Morocco's Ibrahim Hssaine at 57kg. Women's Bout Maryam Khamis produced a strong performance in the women's elite 57kg division, defeating Qatar's Dana Al-Jabor by unanimous decision (5:0). The result highlighted the growing prominence of women's boxing in Bahrain. Youth and Junior Fighters The younger divisions featured some of Bahrain's emerging talent. Kaiden Zaman won unanimously at 63.5kg youth, with Hasan Jamsheer competing strongly at 75kg. Ahmed Attia defeated UAE's Abdulrahman Al Shamsi at 63.5kg youth by unanimous decision, and Youssef Bouzgarrou outpointed Kuwait's Mousa Alhelal 5:0 at 70kg youth. Abdulaziz Bushager secured a 60kg junior victory over Morocco's Youcef Kaabi, while schoolboys Michael Douglas Isomaki and Salman Rafique also claimed wins. Davis emphasised the developmental focus: 'It's also about that development, you know. The greatest thing is the collaboration of coming together and staging such a great event.' British boxing figure Scott Welch, WBC Cares UK Chairman, presented medals, lending the event added stature. 'Having someone like Scott attend adds prestige,' said Davis. 'It's motivating for the boxers to be seen by legends.' Gulf Golden Gloves Davis also outlined ambitions for future events, referencing his earlier initiative: 'A few years ago, I developed what was called Triple G. That resonates with a famous boxer from Kazakhstan, who is now the chairman of World Boxing, the new international federation. It actually stands for Gulf Golden Gloves. This is probably the diluted version of it. We want more boxers coming from our great nations within the Gulf, coming together and boxing against one another and developing. Not only developing as boxers, but developing as coaches and developing as officials.' The vision reflects the championship's role in fostering regional growth.
Daily Tribune
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Dilmun Club Delivers 20-Bout Open Air Boxing Spectacle
TDT | Manama The Dilmun Club in Saar hosted the 8th Domestic Open Air Boxing Championship, its fifth consecutive year at the venue, delivering 20 highly competitive bouts. Fighters from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar competed across schoolboy, junior, youth, and elite categories, with top performances drawing a strong crowd and distinguished guests from the boxing world. Dynamic Card Reflects Gulf Unity Organisers opted for a non-traditional bout order, mixing age groups for maximum impact. 'You see, what we've done this time, instead of going through the schoolboys, the juniors, the youth, the elite, we've mixed it all up,' said Bahrain national team head coach Tony Davis. 'So, you know, people have caught their eye and go, wow, these guys are great. Some of the strongest bouts came early to keep the audience locked in.' The approach paid off, with early fights setting a high standard. Davis highlighted the event's broader significance: 'This is our fifth one here. As you can see, it's a cross-community event. Everyone sort of enjoys this. The difference about this event is that we've had all six nations from around the Gulf—Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi, Qatar, UAE, and Oman. The sportsmanship has been absolutely fantastic. We've had some fantastic bouts. And as you can see, how many people are still here, they're loving it.' Bukalaf Edges Limbu in Standout Bout The second bout, an elite 63.5kg contest between Ali Bukalaf and Prakash Limbu, proved the night's highlight. Bukalaf secured a 3:2 split decision, earning Best Boxer of the Night, while Limbu's determined effort saw him named Best Runner-Up. 'Obviously, the second bout, Ali Bukhalaf and Prakash Limbu was such a great bout,' Davis noted. The closely fought match captivated the audience. Limbu, speaking to The Daily Tribune, reflected on the result: 'It was close — amateur boxing is based on scoring. I feel like I lost the first round, but gave him a count in the second, so it was 10-8. I pushed hard, gave my best, and put everything on the line. The third round I didn't push as much, but overall I felt it was close. This was one of the most anticipated fights in Bahraini boxing history — Ali Bukalaf vs Prakash Limbu. I did my job, and I'm proud of that. In the ring, someone has to win. I'm happy for him too.' Limbu's coach, Rasheed Mehrinfar, praised both competitors: 'Prakash is a phenomenal fighter, and so is Ali. We trained hard, and he gave his best. In amateur boxing, sometimes it doesn't go your way, but I'm proud of Prakash's performance. This was a long-awaited fight — two top athletes finally meeting in the ring. Alhamdulillah for a well-organized event. It's a valuable learning experience, and we'll come back even stronger, inshAllah.' Elite Division Delivers Strong Results In the elite heavyweight (92+kg) category, Isaac Augustine stopped Kuwait's Omar Hassawi in the first round via RSC. Kriszten Nileborn secured a unanimous 5:0 decision over UAE's Aly Amr Abdalla at 75kg. Fadi Fadhul forced an abandonment from Kuwait's Ahmed AlBahraini at 67kg after a precise body shot, while Nazim Khan won a 3:2 split decision against Morocco's Ibrahim Hssaine at 57kg. Women's Bout Marks Progress Maryam Khamis produced a strong performance in the women's elite 57kg division, defeating Qatar's Dana Al-Jabor by unanimous decision (5:0). The result highlighted the growing prominence of women's boxing in Bahrain. Youth and Junior Fighters Impress The younger divisions featured some of Bahrain's emerging talent. Kaiden Zaman won unanimously at 63.5kg youth, with Hasan Jamsheer competing strongly at 75kg. Ahmed Attia defeated UAE's Abdulrahman Al Shamsi at 63.5kg youth by unanimous decision, and Youssef Bouzgarrou outpointed Kuwait's Mousa Alhelal 5:0 at 70kg youth. Abdulaziz Bushager secured a 60kg junior victory over Morocco's Youcef Kaabi, while schoolboys Michael Douglas Isomaki and Salman Rafique also claimed wins. Davis emphasised the developmental focus: 'It's also about that development, you know. The greatest thing is the collaboration of coming together and staging such a great event.' Boxing Royalty Adds Prestige British boxing figure Scott Welch, WBC Cares UK Chairman, presented medals, lending the event added stature. 'Having someone like Scott attend adds prestige,' said Davis. 'It's motivating for the boxers to be seen by legends.' Gulf Golden Gloves Davis also outlined ambitions for future events, referencing his earlier initiative: 'A few years ago, I developed what was called Triple G. That resonates with a famous boxer from Kazakhstan, who is now the chairman of World Boxing, the new international federation. It actually stands for Gulf Golden Gloves. This is probably the diluted version of it. We want more boxers coming from our great nations within the Gulf, coming together and boxing against one another and developing. Not only developing as boxers, but developing as coaches and developing as officials.' The vision reflects the championship's role in fostering regional growth. The Dilmun Club's championship underlined Bahrain's growing stature in regional boxing, with its fighters proving their mettle across all levels.
Telegraph
06-04-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Nine ways a Gurkha mindset can help you navigate illness and grief
In one of their early encounters in the early 19th century, a British Army officer was captured by a group of Gurkhas. While the Indian soldiers he had been leading fled, the officer stood his ground, despite being outnumbered. When he was eventually captured they asked why he hadn't surrendered. He told them: 'I didn't come this far just to run away.' Inspired by the lieutenant's words, the Gurkhas replied, 'We could serve under an officer like you!' That relationship, built on mutual respect, has lasted over two centuries and Gurkhas are still renowned for their loyalty, professionalism and bravery. Capt Kailash Limbu was raised in the highlands of Nepal on the stories of his forefathers. One of the few to make selection to the elite Gurkha brigade, during his two-decade career in the British Army he has had failures and successes, as well as five tours in Afghanistan and deployments in Bosnia and Sierra Leone. The essence of what makes him and his fellow Gurkhas special is something he has long considered, and encapsulated in his book, The Gurkha Mindset. Intended as a guide for life, he says: ' I hope that people will still be reading it long after I have gone, because the lessons I am sharing are enduring. Managing emotions, attitude, teamwork, leadership.' Even if you have no desire to be in a conflict zone, Capt Limbu says: 'The principles of being effective in life and business don't change even if the playing field does.' These are his nine life lessons: 1. The human body is tougher than you think To join the Gurkhas, potential recruits have to complete the 'doko race' – a 5.9km run across rough terrain up the side of a steep hill. They must do this within 46 minutes while carrying a doko basket loaded with 25 kg of sand. Out of the 15,000 candidates who had applied for selection at the same time as Capt Limbu, only 230 could qualify. The odds of success were around 65 to one, less than 1 per cent. 'Whether or not I came first was not the point,' says Capt Limbu. 'What counted was that by believing I could perform at my best. A small shift in perspective, from only recognising how much pain I was in, to reminding myself that the pain was temporary and simply a stepping stone to achieving my dreams, helped me to keep moving forward.' The body protects itself by fooling us into thinking we can push no harder, go no further, lift no more. 'That's why the mind must be stronger than the body. Where the mind goes, the body will follow,' says Capt Limbu. 2. Hard work wins over talent 'I am a typical hill boy from one of the most remote villages on the planet, and I hold no degree or similar qualifications in leadership or business,' he says. Determined to be a high-ranking Gurkha, Limbu literally put in the extra miles when he applied for the rank of captain, where he was competing against soldiers who were much more highly educated than he was. During the pre-selection to become captain in 2017, candidates had to run a simple 2.4 km race. 'There was a 400-metre track at the barracks and I used it at every opportunity, often running back to my quarters after a training session, which I did with a heavily weighted backpack. By training with a load, I knew I would be even faster for the competition.' To beat the rest, many of whom had degrees, he found out everything he needed to know about the role of captain. 'I studied every evening. Why should I care about whether I had a degree? What counted was how well I could absorb the requirements for captain.' 3. Failure is good for you. Pick yourself up and start again A few years into his British Army career, while a corporal, Limbu put himself forward for SAS selection. 'I worked harder than anyone. I was faster, stronger and more resilient, and I was determined to win my place in the regiment.' But during the process, while in the middle of a long hike uphill with a heavy bergen (rucksack), Limbu found himself nursing an already injured ankle. 'I was on the verge of collapse,' he recalls. Limbu failed selection for the SAS. 'I am far more disappointed with myself for not trying again.' Most people who apply for the SAS don't succeed on the first attempt. For many, it takes two or three tries to be accepted, but Limbu couldn't face it again. 'The thing that stopped me from reapplying was my mindset. Instead of relishing the challenge, visualising success and thinking how I could be better prepared, I was bullied into submission by thoughts of how hellish the experience had been. I should have brushed myself down, taken some time to recover and learn from the experience, then given it another shot.' 4. Keeping up appearances matters Outside of the barracks, Gurkhas are always well turned out. 'We wear a clean shirt and tie and dress smartly, and have highly polished shoes. Small things like this can make a big difference. When you see someone who is well groomed, what does that say about them? They take pride in their appearance, they don't cut corners, they pay attention to details and they are reliable. Creating an excellent first impression will always give you a head start. 'You may be working from home and wonder why you need to change out of your pyjamas, but this will affect your mindset. Getting dressed up as though you were going to a business meeting will boost your morale. It will give you a sense of purpose and resolve.' 5. Maintain your composure at all times 'You have to manage your emotions if you want to survive,' says Capt Limbu. 'It's that simple. Stay calm and you might live. Panic and things will get worse quickly.' A calm mind will find the solution if there is one. However composure is not numbness, or failing to empathise with others, states Capt Limbu. 'The Army doesn't need psychopaths; people with feelings are infinitely more useful,' he says. 'I am not suggesting that you kill your feelings, and I hope that you never have to make the same life or death decisions that I have. However, learn to handle your feelings so they can't overwhelm you. 'Fear, courage and the capacity to stay calm are all things that you can control. Learn how to master them, and you are taking the first step towards improving your outcomes. You don't have to face live rounds on the battlefield to learn these lessons.' 6. Fear delivers Gurkhas take being courageous to a whole other level. However, Capt Limbu says there are ways in which we live with fear in the civilian world. 'People are often afraid of not being able to pay the bills, of losing their homes or of being robbed when they are walking at night. That doesn't make them cowards, but they are suffering from fear, and they must not let that fear suffocate them.' To be more Gurkha you have to show courage, which means moving towards fear. It means prioritising something else – principles, ambition or personal goals, rather than letting fear stop you. 'In civilian life, you might take on enormous debt to start a business, risk rejection in the pursuit of love, or risk financial hardship by taking on a job that pays less, because it means you get to spend more time with your family,' explains Capt Limbu. 'Not being a coward is about standing firm in the face of adversity. Showing courage is about running into the fire. Nothing makes fear and courage more tangible than being in life-threatening situations.' 7. Never let success go to your head No matter what you have achieved, how smart or good-looking you are, how much money or power you have accumulated, never let it go to your head – and treat others with respect. That's the Gurkha way. 'None of those things make you better than anyone else, and you could just as easily go through a difficult time. None of us are immortal or invincible. Those who are on top today could find themselves on the bottom tomorrow.' As a soldier, he has seen just how adversely things can change. Sierra Leone, for example, is a place of breathtaking natural beauty with some of the most wonderful beaches on the planet. 'How could such terrible things happen in a land so rich in plant life and precious stones? Wars, natural disasters and economic stresses can turn once-thriving cities into rubble or ghost towns overnight.' 8. Being knocked down is part of life Key to this is a good attitude. 'Attitude is the strength that allows you to walk away after someone has insulted you. Attitude is the part of you that tells you to continue with a challenging task. Attitude is the difference between staying where you are and gaining promotion. Sadly, those who don't succeed because of a poor attitude often fail to see that it is their attitude that failed them. They blame everyone and everything else for their lack of success.' 9. Accept that grief is unavoidable Some things are inescapable no matter how much you try to avoid them. Bereavement is one of those things, and one of those very painful losses is that of our parents. 'I was 35 years old when I lost my mother. I had led sections behind enemy lines, faced extremely dangerous situations, taken lives and seen friends killed, but when my mother was dying, I felt real fear for the first time in my life. Nothing could compare to the dread of losing my mum.' Anxiety about his mother's condition soon started to affect his mental and physical health. 'I couldn't sleep or eat properly, which only made matters worse, and I felt very alone.' His wife and child were in the UK. At that time, Capt Limbu was a WO2 (Warrant Officer Class Two), and in every other area of his life, he was indestructible – macho, fearless and able to handle anything. 'But losing my mother was too much to bear. I felt helpless.' He now accepts there was no quick fix for his grief. 'With time, I was able to process what had happened and accept it. This is something we all have to go through, and everybody grieves differently. I was generally resilient enough to be able to bounce back.'
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nepal community fights to save sacred forests from cable cars
They appear tranquil soaring above Himalayan forests, but a string of cable car projects in Nepal have sparked violent protests, with locals saying environmental protection should trump tourism development. In Nepal's eastern district of Taplejung, the community has been torn apart by a $22-million government-backed project many say will destroy livelihoods and damage ancient forests they hold as sacred. Across Nepal, five cable car projects have opened in the past two years -- and 10 more are under development, according to government figures. Critics accuse the government of failing to assess the environmental impact properly. In January, protests at Taplejung escalated into battles with armed police, with four activists wounded by gunfire and 21 officers injured. The protests calmed after promises construction would be suspended, but erupted again this week, with 14 people wounded on Thursday -- 11 of them members of the security forces. "We were in a peaceful protest but hired thugs showed us kukris (large knives) and attacked us -- and we countered them," protest committee leader Shree Linkhim Limbu told AFP after the latest clashes. He vowed to continue demonstrations until the project is scrapped. Around 300,000 Hindu devotees trek for hours to Taplejung's mountaintop Pathibhara temple every year -- a site also deeply sacred to the local Limbu people's separate beliefs. In 2018, Chandra Prasad Dhakal, a businessman with powerful political ties who is also president of Nepal's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, announced the construction of a 2.5-kilometre-long (1.5-mile) cable car to the temple. The government calls it a project of "national pride". - 'Butchering our faith' - Dhakal's IME Group is also building other cable cars, including the 6.4-kilometre-long Sikles line in the Annapurna Conservation Area, which the Supreme Court upheld. The government deemed the project a "national priority", thereby exempting it from strict planning restrictions in protected areas. The Supreme Court scrapped that controversial exemption last month, a move celebrated by environmentalists. But activists fear the project may still go ahead. Taplejung is deeply sacred to local Mukkumlung beliefs, and residents say that the clearance of around 3,000 rhododendron trees -- with 10,00 more on the chopping block -- to build pylons is an attack on their religion. "It is a brutal act," said protest chief Limbu. "How can this be a national pride project when the state is only serving business interests?" Saroj Kangliba Yakthung, 26, said locals would rather efforts and funding were directed to "preserve the religious, cultural and ecological importance" of the forests. The wider forests are home to endangered species including the red panda, black bear and snow leopard. "We worship trees, stone and all living beings, but they are butchering our faith," said Anil Subba, director of the Kathmandu-based play "Mukkumlung", which was staged for a month as part of the protest. The hundreds of porters and dozens of tea stall workers that support trekking pilgrims fear for their livelihoods. "If they fly over us in a cable car, how will we survive?" said 38-year-old porter Chandra Tamang. The government says the cable car will encourage more pilgrims by making it easy to visit, boosting the wider economy in a country where unemployment hovers around 10 percent, and GDP per capita at just $1,377, according to the World Bank. "This will bring development," said resident Kamala Devi Thapa, 45, adding that the new route will aid "elderly pilgrims". - 'Massive deforestation' - The cable cars symbolise Nepal's breakneck bid to cash in on tourism, making up more than six percent of the country's GDP in 2023, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Beyond the Pathibhara project, the government's environmental policy is in question -- in a country where 45 percent is forest. More than 255,000 trees have been cut down for infrastructure projects in the past four years, according to the environment ministry. "Nepal has witnessed massive deforestation in the name of infrastructure," said Rajesh Rai, professor of forestry at Tribhuvan University. "This will have severe long-term consequences". Unperturbed, the cable car builder assures his project will create 1,000 jobs and brushes aside criticism. "It won't disturb the ecology or local culture," Dhakal said. "If people can fly there in helicopters, why not a cable car?" The argument leaves Kendra Singh Limbu, 79, unmoved. "We are fighting to save our heritage," he said. It has split the community, local journalist Anand Gautam told AFP. "It has turned fathers and sons against each other," Gautam said. "Some see it as progress, others as destruction". str/pjm/cms/dhw
