Nepal

Nepal: Maoists Declare Autonomous Regions, Plan Strike in Kathmandu

Date: December 16th, 2009 |

Maoists still angry over the president’s refusal to accept the prime minister’s sacking of the army chief in May are intensifying their pressure on the government. They planned a general strike for Dec. 20-22 and declared four autonomous states in regions they controlled when they were fighting a guerrilla war. Business leaders in Kathmandu vowed [read more]

Nepal: Maoists Protest in Kathmandu

Date: November 5th, 2009 |

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Nepal has more tourists visiting now than it has had in more than a decade, but the opposition Maoist party may put a damper on peak season with a series of anti-government protests in Kathmandu. They hoped to paralyze the capital city and surrounding valley by blocking all roads leading into Kathmandu Valley and shutting [read more]

Nepal: Political Crisis Follows PM’s Resignation

Date: May 6th, 2009 |

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Nepal fell into a political crisis when Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the former Maoist guerrilla leader, resigned to protest the president’s refusal to fire the army chief. Dahal wanted the army head fired because he refused to integrate Maoist rebels into the army. Dahal’s resignation caused the government to fall, and the president set [read more]

Nepal: Terai Strike Ends, Autonomy To Be Granted

Date: March 6th, 2008 |

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A strike in the lowland Terai area bordering India that was squeezing off the fuel supply to Kathmandu and causing power shortages came to an end Feb. 28 when the government signed an agreement to establish an autonomous province for the Madhesi people. This action represents a step into the future for Nepal and [read more]

Nepal: Maoists Pull Out of Government, Troubles in Terai

Date: September 19th, 2007 |

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Maoists pulled out of the coalition government in a dispute over abolishing the monarchy, raising concerns that the fragile peace in Nepal could be in jeopardy. The former rebels have vowed not to take up arms again but to press their demands through peaceful demonstrations. They have argued that the monarchy should be abolished before [read more]

Nepal: Solo Trekkers Robbed Near Pokhara, Nationwide Strike Coming in December

Date: November 25th, 2009 |

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Reports of solo trekkers being robbed on trails around Pokhara in western Nepal prompted trekking companies to meet with security officials to discourage hikers from trekking alone. In some incidents the tourists reportedly were robbed by their guides, suggesting that care must be taken to ensure that the guide is legitimate. Trekking with a friend [read more]

Nepal: Travel Alert for Festival Season

Date: September 24th, 2009 |

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The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu advised Americans that street crimes and harassment from intoxicated individuals increase during the festival season that has just got under way. Dashain runs Sept. 19-Oct. 2 and Tihar Oct. 15-19. The Embassy recommended many common-sense precautions such as minimizing moving around late at night, avoiding walking alone after dark, using [read more]

Nepal: Power Shortages Could Create Long Winter

Date: November 20th, 2008 |

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The coming winter could feel longer than usual for Nepal because daily power outages could stretch to as long as 14 hours compared to the five hours the country currently experiences. Floods in the southeast washed away power lines that brought electricity from India and according to a government official, they cannot be repaired before [read more]

Nepal: Maoists Resume Collecting “Donations” from Foreigners

Date: October 11th, 2007 |

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A Maoist leader assured a delegation of tour operators that Maoists will not harm tourists during strikes or protests, and will not hamper their movement, but two days later the Kathmandu Post reported that Maoists have resumed collecting money from trekkers and mountaineers in the Myagdi district, which includes Mount Dhaulagiri. The practice of demanding [read more]

Nepal: Tourists Returning

Date: January 18th, 2007 |

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Tourism is rebounding amid optimism that peace with the Maoists will hold now that the insurgents are part of the interim parliament. Visitor numbers are up in Pokhara in advance of the spring trekking season, and U.N. officials are just beginning the task of monitoring Maoist weapons and registering their fighters. How quickly and successfully [read more]