December 24: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has brought an adventure cycling trail into operation in the Kathmandu Valley. The 15-km cycling trail between Kirtipur and Chandragiri was constructed by the NTB with assistance from various donor agencies. It has come into operation from Thursday, December 23.

The board, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), constructed the trail connecting Kirtipur and Chandragiri municipalities under the Sustainable Tourism Project for Livelihood Rehabilitation. The trail, built in ward number 4, 7, 8 and 9 of Chandragiri Municipality and ward 4 of Kirtipur Municipality, runs from Bosandanda to Chandragiri Cable Car’s Base Station.

The cycling trail was inaugurated by the former minister and MP Rajan KC on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, KC said that the project, which was launched at a time when the tourism sector was in ruins due to the Covid-19, can provide short-term employment to the tourism workers and also help in the construction of tourist destinations in various other places.

Chandra Rijal, vice-chairman of the Nepal Tourism Board, said that the board has been making relentless efforts to minimize the impacts of Covid-19 on the tourism sector and revive the tourism industry. He emphasized on the need to be active at the local level for sustainable management and operation of the structures built under this project.

Mayor of Chandragiri Municipality Ghanshyam Giri said that the municipality has emphasized on the development of tourism infrastructure and promotion of religious and cultural tourism. On the occasion, Mayor of Kirtipur Municipality Ramesh Marhajan said that the ongoing activities would help revive tourism.

The tourism board has invested US$ 1 million and the UNDP has spend US$ 1.5 million for the project. The project aims to provide relief to about 6,000 workers in the tourism sector by creating short-term employment. The board also aims to provide employment to more than 2,000 people in partnership with local levels across the country.