Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) together with Tsum Welfare Committee on Novermber 25 organised an interaction on trash management in Tsum Valley.
The tourism possibilities of Tsum Valley, lying in the northern reaches of Gorkha district, explored by TAAN last year. The Valley borders with Tibet in the north and is home to a sparse population of Gurungs with their own religious and cultural identity.
Speaking on the occasion, Jyoti Adhikari, immediate past president of TAAN, talked about tourism prospects of Tsum Valley. "The Valley holds great possibility for trekking tourism as popular trekking trails in Annapurna region have been curtailed due to expansion of road network," Adhikari said. He also stressed on the need to promote eco-friendly tourism in the area.
Jack Moore, an American national who recently returned from Tsum Valley, made a slide presentation on the area. "The pristine Valley is littered with the wastes taken there by trekkers. If we are to make tourism in Tsum Valley sustainable, we must initiate measures for effective trash management," Moore suggested. He also elaborated trash management measures practiced in popular destinations in the US.
Lhakpa Phuti Sherpa, president of Women Mountaineering Federation (WMF), suggested local stakeholders to encourage trekkers to take back non-degradable wastes with them. "WMF is ready to join hands with local community for better trash management in Tsum Valley," she added.
The interaction was organised to seek inputs from stakeholders for better trash management in Tsum Valley. Trekkers, travel trade people, representatives of different travel trade associations and mediapersons participated in the interaction.
