सेतो मच्छेन्द्रनाथको रथयात्रा सम्पन्न

सेतो मच्छेन्द्रनाथको रथयात्रा सम्पन्न

११ वैशाख, काठमाडौं  : प्रत्येक वर्ष चैत्र शुक्ल अष्टमीदेखि दरबारमार्गस्थित तीनधारा पाठशालाबाट रथयात्रा शुरु हुन्छ ।  वर्षा र सहकालका देवता सेतो मच्छेन्द्रनाथको रथयात्रा कोरोनाबाट बच्न स्वास्थ्य सुरक्षाका मापदण्ड पूरा गरी सम्पन्न गरिएको छ ।जात्राले उपत्यकाको भित्री भागका स्थानीयवासीमा रोग व्याध नलाग्ने जन विश्वाससमेत रहेको छ । जात्रामा सहभागी हुनेले अनिवार्य मास्क लगाउनुपर्ने व्यवस्था गरिएको थियो । जात्राका लागि काठमाडौं महानगरपालिका स्वास्थ्य विभागसँगको सहकार्यमा निःशुल्क मास्क दिने व्यवस्था मिलाइएको हो ।  रथलाई असन र दोस्रो दिन हनुमानढोका लगी राखिएको थियो । जात्रासहित सेतो मच्छेन्द्रनाथलाई जनबहालमा फर्काइएको छ । असन, वसन्तपुर, जैसीदेवल, लगन हुँदै पुनः रथयात्रा मच्छेन्द्रबहालमा ल्याएर चौथो दिन अन्त्य गरिन्छ ।  याँ भेरियन्टसहितको जोखिम बढ्न थालेकाले स्वास्थ्य सुरक्षाको सावधानी अपनाउन रथभन्दा १५ मिनेट अघि नै सांस्कृतिक बाजाको समूह हिँडाइएको सेतो मच्छेन्द्रनाथ रथ व्यवस्थापन  गरिएको थियो ।     कोरोना महामारीबाट बच्दै सांस्कृतिक गतिविधिलाई निरन्तरता दिन यस्तो व्यवस्था गरिएको हो । यो नमूना उपत्यकाका अन्य स्थानमा हुने जात्राका लागि पनि काम लाग्ने आशा गरिएको छ ।  न गरिएको छ । जात्रामा सहभागी हुनुअघि र भइसकेपछि पनि साबुनपानीले हात धुन पनि समितिले अनुरोध गरेको थियो । यसका लागि रथयात्रा शुरु र अन्त्य गरिने स्थानमा प्रत्येक दिन साबुनपानीको व्यवस्था गरिएको थियो ।

बेमौसमी हिमपात -बैशाखमा हिउँ पर्यटकलाई सास्ती

मुस्ताङ : मुस्ताङको थासाङ गाउँपालिका लेते आसपासदेखि उपल्लो मुस्ताङको लोमान्थाङसम्म बाक्लो हिमपात भएको छ ।  हिमालपारिको जिल्ला मुस्ताङमा बेमौसमी हिमपात भएको छ । मुक्तिनाथदेखि माथिल्लो क्षेत्रमा आंशिक हिमपात भएपछि आज बिहानबाटै तल्लो सतहसम्म पनि बाक्लो हिमपात भइरहेको छ । स-माघमा पर्ने हिउँ यसपटक बैशाखमा परेको छ ।  जनजीवन अत्यन्तै कष्टकर भएको छ । मुस्ताङ भित्रएका आन्तरिक पर्यटकहरुलाइ समेत सास्ती भएकाे छ । मुक्तिनाथ क्षेत्रमा बाक्लो हिमपात भएपछि आन्तरिक पर्यटकलाइ कागबेनीमै उचित व्यवस्थापन गरिए मुस्ताङ  प्रहरी कार्यलयले बताएको छ ।

In Thailand alarming new COVID-19 restrictions are put in place effective Sunday.

Thailand registered the largest increase in infections in one single day since the outbreak of COVID-19

Friday 1547 people were infected in the Kingdom, 2 died in the country of close to 70 Million people. Globally Thailand is only number 194 in infections, and number 200 in death in the world, making it a relatively safe country. Health authorities in Thailand are not taking a chance.

The Thai government has declared the highest control zones in 18 provinces, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, and implemented high control zones in the remaining provinces nationwide, CCSA spokesperson Taweesilp Visanuyothin announced this afternoon, April 16th.

The so-called red zoned provinces are Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Tak, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket, Rayong, Songkhla, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Sa Kaeo, Suphan Buri, and Udon Thani.

According to the announcement, all provinces must conduct strict regulations as follows:

  • Closures of classrooms and buildings at all schools and educational institutions, except for exams in international schools and for other potential use under the requirements of the Disease Control Act
  • Closure of nightlife venues and entertainment venues countrywide, including pubs, bars, and massage parlors (soapies), in all provinces for at least 14 days
  • Closure of department stores and shopping malls at 9:00 PM.
  • Closure of amusement parks as well as game zones, playgrounds, and similar attractions in all department stores
  • No teaching and learning in a classroom at all in educational institutions
  • No large gathering and events for more than 50 people without permission from the public health provincial office
  • No selling alcoholic beverages in all serving places/restaurants
  • All restaurants must limit the number of customers according to social distancing measures and must follow social distancing restrictions strictly

Red-zoned provinces must conduct strict regulations as follows:

  • Closure of all restaurants for dining-in at 9:00 PM. Takeaway can be allowed until 11:00 PM.
  • Closure of supermarkets and convenience stores at 11:00 PM. These places can be reopened at 4:00 AM.
  • Closure of fitness centers, sports stadiums, and gyms at 9:00 PM. Competitions can take place but must be limited with the number of audiences according to social distancing measures
  • Prohibition of selling alcoholic beverages in all serving places

Orange-zoned provinces must conduct strict regulations as follows:

  • Similar to the red-zones regulations, except that the closure of all restaurants for dining-in at 11:00 PM.

All measures will be put in effect this Sunday, April 18th, and will initially last for at least two weeks, until the end of April. Despite no curfew or travel restrictions implementations, people are being highly advised to limit their movement and conduct “Work From Home” as much as possible.

Governors have the ability to strengthen rules but not weaken then and governors are expected to meet to discuss this in the next day or so. Some provinces could have additional rules as a result.

Despite COVID vaccine India travelers seeking safe domestic destinations

The survey findings highlighted that despite of the fact that the COVID vaccine India drive is in full swing and people are getting vaccinated, 89% of India residents are keen to visit domestic destinations which are following COVID safety and hygiene protocol. Majority of respondents emphasized on preferring high-level health and safety standards at tourism spots, hotels and resorts before selecting their favourite travel destination and properties for staycations, highlighted the survey.

Conducted by Noor Mahal, the survey also witnessed a hike in demand for domestic over foreign destinations. The online survey was conducted among a sample of adults who traveled for business or leisure in the past 6 months and must be planning to travel in 2021. According to the new Informed world traveler survey, which polled more than 3,000 adults, one in 3 people are most looking forward to travel with family and friends as compared to solo travel. Decoding the deciding elements behind selecting a preferred hotel destination, respondents voted for high-level health and safety standards,  sustainability, responsible tourism, and authentic and value for money as key factors.

 

League City is soaring with popular birding classes and events

In partnership with the cities of Bay Area Houston including Kemah, Nassau Bay, and Seabrook—8 weeks of birding classes and events has kicked off in celebration of spring bird migration. The first in a series of 8 free virtual birding classes was held on March 22 with a whopping 362 registrants from across Texas and as far away as Tennessee. The series is designed to teach the basics of birding to anyone who wants to learn. The classes are held on Mondays in March, April, and May from 7 to 8 p.m.

“Birding is one of the most popular hobbies world-wide, so it’s not surprising to see how many people signed up for these classes,” said Stephanie Polk, League City’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Manager. “Texas is an ideal place for birding because we actually have the most bird species of any state in the U.S. League City is part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail and we have a variety of habitats that make for fun birding excursions,” said Polk. “We are also part of two large migratory paths, so we get a massive number of migrating birds during spring and fall migration.”

The virtual classes are taught by Kristine Rivers, a Texas Master Naturalist and founder of Birding For Fun. Each class focuses on a different topic, ranging from how to use a field guide to understanding habitats and plumage variations. The remaining classes are still open for registration at LeagueCity.com/birdingclasses. Participants can register for as many classes as they want for free. After each class, registrants will receive an email with a link to a recording of the class.

League City is also hosting an in-person birding class series, but to accommodate for social distancing and field trips, the class was capped at 20 people and filled up almost immediately. Due to the popularity of these classes, the City is looking to expand in-person classes in the fall.

Weekend birding events and exclusive hotel packages in April & May

Birders who want to experience spring migration in League City can take advantage of exclusive hotel packages and rates designed specifically for them. Visitors who book an overnight stay at participating hotels will receive a free League City birding swag bag and local birding guide. On select weekends, they can also attend a free two-hour birding field trip led by Kristine Rivers. The field trip dates are April 24, May 1, and May 8. There will be four classes offered each day, with a limit of 10 people per class. Additional hotels are also offering exclusive rates for a limited time for birders who want to explore League City and enjoy a full weekend of birding and nature activities. Look for these deals at VisitLeagueCity.com/springmigration.

Bay Area Houston’s celebration of spring migration will culminate with a Big Sit event in League City on May 15. “A Big Sit is a competitive birdwatching event hosted by Texas Parks and Wildlife as part of the Great Texas Birding Classic. A team of birders spot as many different kinds of birds as they can from within a 50-foot circle,” said Polk. “It’s a wonderful way to take part in birding and learn from experienced birders on location.”

The Big Sit festivities begin on Friday, May 14 with a screening of “The Big Year”—a birding movie starring Jack Black and Steve Martin—food trucks, kayak rentals, yard games, and more at Heritage Park from 5 to 10 p.m. The Big Sit will run from midnight to midnight on May 15, and everyone is invited to enjoy an afternoon of live music, food, and fun at “Sundays in the Park” from 12 to 4 p.m. at League Park on May 16.

सगरमाथाको  नामाकरण

सगरमाथा संसारको सबैभन्दा अग्लो चुचुरो हो । यसको उचाई समुन्द्र सतहबाट ८,८४८.८६ मिटर (२९,०३१.६९ फिट) छ । सन् ८ डिसेम्बर २०२० अगाडी यसको उचाई समुन्द्र सतहबाट ८,८४८ मिटर मानिएको थियो ।  सगरमाथा नेपालको सोलुखुम्बु जिल्लाको खुम्बु पासाङल्हामु गाउँपालिकामा पर्छ । तिब्बती भाषामा यसको नाम चोमोलुङ्गमा हो । विशेष गरी थुलुङ राई स्थानियवासीहरू सगरमाथालाई चोमोलुङ भन्दछन् । सगरमाथालाई सन् १८६५ मा ब्रिटिस सर्भेयर कर्णेल सर जर्ज एभरेस्टको नाममा माउन्ट एभरेस्ट नामाकरण गरिएको थियो ।पछि सन् १९५६ (बि.स. २०१२) मा इतिहास शिरोमणि बाबुराम आचार्यले यसको नाम सगरमाथा राखेका हुन साथै उनले सगरमाथाको नेपाली नाम झ्यामोलोङ्मो पनि लेखेका छन् ।  यसलाई कतै कतै देवढुङ्गा  पनि भन्ने गरेको पाइन्छ । सगरमाथा शिखरमा सर्वप्रथम, सन १९५३ मे २९ तारिखको बिहान ११:१५ बजे, नेपालका तेन्जिङ नोर्गे शेर्पा र न्युजिल्यान्डका सर एड्मन्ड हिलारीले पाइला राखेका थिए ।

धुर्बे हात्तीका कारण चितवनमा फेरि उत्पात

चितवन : चितवन राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्जबाट एक समय हराएको जङ्गली धुर्बे हात्ती अहिले निकुञ्जमा नै सक्रिय छ। २०६६ देखि २०६९ सालसम्म निकै ‘दु:ख’ दिएको धुर्बे हात्तीले त्यतिखेर चार वर्षमा १५ जनाको ज्यान लिएको थियो।  सारै दु:ख दिएपछि सरकारले धुर्बे हात्ती मार्न भनेर १६ लाख रुपैयाँसम्म खर्च गरेको थियो। सरकारको निर्देशनअनुसार सेनाले कैयौँ पटक कोसिस गरे पनि धुर्बे हात्तीलाई मार्न सकेन। फेरि धुर्बे हात्तीका कारण चितवनमा  हात्ती अहिले निकुञ्जमा नै सक्रिय पुगेको छ। र्बे हात्ती पुन: निकुञ्जमा देखा परेको तर शान्त रहेको चितवन राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्जका पूर्व सहायक वार्डेन बेदबहादुर खड्काले बताए।  गैँडा गणनाको ११ ‍औँ दिनमा हात्तीमा गएका गणकहरू घाइते हुनुको कारण धुर्बे हात्ती बन्न पुगेको छ।  चितवनमा करिब ५० देखि ६० वटा जङ्गली हात्ती रहेको अनुमान छ।

Cox’s Bazar tourist hubs ordered shutdown amid COVID surge

The Cox’s Bazar district administration has ordered closure of all tourist attractions in the beach town in the face of a new wave of coronavirus infections throughout Bangladesh.

  1. In February, tourists flocked to Cox’s Bazar beaches, lured by the low COVID-19 numbers.
  2. Since that time, there has been a surge in coronavirus cases throughout the Bangladesh town.
  3. A new directive has ordered all tourists spots at the tourist destination including beaches to close until April 14.

Cox’s Bazar tourist hubs are located in this town on the southeast coast of Bangladesh and is known as a tourism center with a long sandy beachfront stretching from Sea Beach in the north to Kolatoli Beach in the south.

Deputy Commissioner Md Mamunur Rashid communicated the move to close all tourist attractions in Cox’s Bazar in an announcement made around 8:45 pm yesterday, Thursday, April 1, 2021. The Deputy Commissioner said that the Tourism Ministry sent a directive to the District Administration yesterday evening following the resurgence of coronavirus infections in the country. The Cox’s Bazar tourist spots had been closed in mid-March last year after the detection of the first cases. The government ordered all agencies, including the Tourist Police, to take action as per the directive.

The directive ordered closure of all tourist spots in Cox’s Bazar until April 14. Initially all hotels and motels were to close, but Mamunur later confirmed that they will be able to keep guests at half capacity. Tourists are not being allowed on the beach as the authorities close it and tourism-related businesses, such as jet ski rentals, said Mohammad Mohiuddin Ahmed, an additional superintendent of police.

Just this past February, Cox’s Bazar welcomed around one million tourists in the third weekend of the month with more than 400 hotels and resorts already being booked and all air and bus tickets sold out. Even all the tickets for the Saint Martin’s Island-bound ships have also been sold. In addition to the popular tourist spots such as Laboni, Inani, Himchhori and others, various areas in the coastal district such as Saint Martin’s Island, Dulahazra Safari Park, Radiant Fish World and many others anticipated a massive rush of tourists with significant traffic jams and increase in prices of essentials.

This surge in tourist activity in the Bangladesh town was due to the fact that at that time it was witnessing a fall in the number of daily COVID-19 cases and deaths.

कैलालीको तोरी उत्पादन बढ्यो

२० चैत, टीकापुर । कैलालीमा तोरीको उत्पादन गत वर्षभन्दा दोब्बरले बढेको छ । कृषि ज्ञान केन्द्र कैलालीका प्रमुख खगेन्द्रप्रसाद शर्माका अनुसार यस वर्ष मौसम अनुकुल भएका कारण उत्पादन बढेको हो । यस वर्ष मौसम अनुकुल रहेकाले गत वर्षभन्दा दोब्बरले उत्पादन बढेको छ ।’ यस वर्ष तोरी बाली मात्र होइन अन्य बाली पनि राम्रो उत्पादन हुने देखिएको प्रमुख शर्माको भनाइ छ ।सन्देश जस्तै तोरीखेती गरेका अन्य किसान पनि उत्पादन बढेपछि र बजार मूल्य राम्रो पाएपछि खुशी भएका छन् । तोरीखेती स्याहारेका  किसानले  हिजोआज त्यही तोरीबारीमा छरेको मुसुरो स्याहार्न थालेका छन् । गत वर्ष उत्पादन कम भएका कारण कैलालीमा तोरीको तेल पाउनसमेत कठिन भएको थियो । कैलालीका मिल सञ्चालकले यस वर्ष भने अहिलेदेखि नै तोरी भण्डारण गरिसकेका छन् ।

‘गत वर्ष प्रतिहेक्टर छ क्वीन्टलका दरले तोरी उत्पादन भएकामा यस वर्ष बढेर प्रतिहेक्टर १२ क्वीन्टलसम्म उत्पादन भएको छ’, उनले भने, ‘गत वर्ष हिउँदमा अधिक वर्षा हुँदा तोरीसँगै अन्य बालीको उत्पादनमा कमी आएको थियो । कैलालीमा २० हजार हेक्टर क्षेत्रफलमा तोरीखेती हुने गरेको छ । मल र सिँचाइको उपलब्धताले तोरीको उत्पादनमा भर पर्ने भएकाले यस वर्ष करीब २० हजार टन उत्पादन भएको केन्द्र प्रमुख शर्माको भनाइ छ । ‘तोरीखेतीको उत्पादकत्व बढाउन नयाँ प्रविधि, उन्नत जातको बीउको प्रयोगले समेत प्रभाव पार्छ’ उनले भने, ‘पछिल्लो समय किसानसमेत बीउ, मल र प्रविधि प्रयोगका सवालमा सचेत बन्न थालेका छन् ।’

काठमाण्डू उपत्यकाको तुवाँलोले ‘फोक्सो र आँखामा पार्न सक्छ गम्भीर

काठमाण्डू उपत्यकामा बढेको वायु प्रदूषणले मानव स्वास्थ्यमा गम्भीर असर पर्न सक्ने भन्दै चिकित्सकहरूले सावधान हुन आग्रह गरेका छन्। केही दिनदेखि उपत्यकामा बढिरहेको वायु प्रदूषणको मात्रा शुक्रवार एकाएक उच्च तहमा पुगेको थियो। शनिवार पनि उपत्यकाको आकाशलाई तुवाँलोले ढाकेको छ। त्यसबाट बच्न विभिन्न उपायहरू अवलम्बन गर्न चिकित्सकहरूले सुझाव दिएका छन्। उपत्यकामा यस्तो अवस्था अझै केही दिन रहन सक्ने जल तथा मौसम विज्ञान विभागको पूर्वानुमान छ। एउटा कारण यस पटक हिउँदमा वर्षा नहुनु र वायुमण्डलमा धुवाँ तथा धूलोको मात्रा बढी हुनु भएको वातावरण विभागको प्रदूषण नियमन तथा नियन्त्रण शाखाका प्रमुख शङ्करप्रसाद पौडेलले बताए। “चैतको हावाहुरी चल्ने समयमा काठमाण्डूमा हावा ठप्पजस्तो बसेको छ। पछिल्लो समय तराईतिर लागेको डढेलोबाट निस्किएको धुवाँ भैँसेपाटी क्षेत्र हुँदै उपत्यका प्रवेश गरेको छ। पानी नपर्ने र हावा नचल्ने कारणले यस्तो भएको हो।”

चिकित्सकहरूका भनाइमा अहिलेको जस्तो वायु प्रदूषणले विशेषतः मानिसको फोक्सो र आँखामा सङ्क्रमण हुनसक्छ। नेपालमा सामान्यतया चैत्रदेखि जेठसम्म बढी आगलागी हुने गर्छ। विभागको अनुगमन प्रणालीका अनुसार शुक्रवार ४७ जिल्लाका झन्डै ५०० स्थानमा डढेलो लागेको थियो। विभागका अनुसार उपत्यकामा अझै दुई दिनसम्म यस्तै अवस्था रहन सक्ने देखिन्छ। त्यसपछि पश्चिमी वायुको प्रभाव केही मात्रामा देखिने भए पनि त्यसले वर्षा गराउने सम्भावना न्यून रहेकाले पूर्ण रूपमा तुँवालो हट्न अझै केही दिन लाग्न सक्छ। विभागको मौसम पूर्वानुमान महाशाखाकी मौसमविद् गङ्गा नगरकोटीका अनुसार शनिवार पनि उपत्यकाको वायुमण्डल स्थिर रहेको छ।