In a significant development for Nepal’s trekking industry, Krishna Prasad Acharya has taken the helm as the new President of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki. The decision came during TAAN Gandaki’s 31st Annual General Meeting and 18th Convention, which took place in Pokhara on Saturday. The event saw the unanimous election of a new executive committee that will steer the organization for the next two years. Acharya, who previously held the position of First Vice President, succeeds outgoing President Dharma Raj Panthi.
Joining Acharya in the leadership team are Tirtha Raj Subedi as First Vice President, Mohan Prasad Subedi as Second Vice President, Gopal Krishna Sangraula as Secretary, Bhupendra Kumar Lama as Joint Secretary, and Keshav Prasad Sapkota as Treasurer. Other key members of the committee include Prakash Poudel, Madhav Prasad Khanal, Renuka Karki, Chandra Bahadur Bhujel, Balram Dahal, Ajay Raj Adhikari, Bhupendra Gautam, and Shree Krishna Timilsina.
The inauguration of the new executive committee was marked by a speech from Gandaki Province Chief Dilliram Bhatta, who highlighted the critical need to explore and develop new trekking routes in the region. Bhatta emphasized that extending the duration of tourists’ stays would greatly benefit the local economy. “Pokhara is not only the capital of Gandaki Province but also the tourism capital of Nepal. It serves as the gateway to trekking, which is the cornerstone of our country’s tourism industry,” Bhatta remarked. He further underscored the importance of preserving iconic trekking routes like the Annapurna Circuit and the Manaslu Trek, which are valuable assets for Nepal.
Bhatta also commended the crucial role of trekking guides in enhancing the tourist experience by introducing visitors to Nepal’s natural beauty, rich history, and cultural heritage. He expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing exploration and promotion of several lesser-known trekking routes, including the Machhapuchhare Model Trek, Millennium Trek, Dhaulagiri Icefall Trek, Hidden Lake Trek, and Kapuche Lake Trek. Bhatta stressed the importance of professional development and urged stakeholders to tackle challenges in the trekking sector, which has positively impacted community-based tourism initiatives like homestays.
“The conduct of our trekking guides reflects Nepal’s image to the world. It is essential that they are well-trained and culturally aware,” Bhatta added, acknowledging TAAN’s efforts in providing training and enhancing the skills of trekking guides.
The event, presided over by outgoing President Dharma Raj Panthi, also featured prominent figures such as MP Damodar Poudel (Bairagi), TAAN Central President Nil Hari Bastola, Gandaki Province Tourism Secretary Kuman Singh Gurung, Kaski Chief District Officer Bharat Mani Pandey, former TAAN President Dambar Bahadur KC, and Pokhara Tourism Council President Taranath Pahari. All speakers reiterated the need to promote and preserve trekking routes to attract more tourists and extend their stays in the region.
