Update: May 7, 2009

KEEP Recipient of PATA Foundation Grant 2009

KEEP recognizes and thanks PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Foundation for a PATA Foundation 2009 grant awarded in favor of the project “Responsible Trekking for Waste management in Tamang Heritage Trail, Rasuwa, Nepal”. This eight-month project is expected to complete by November 2009.

GAP Break: Nepal Program Commences

KEEP announces a three-month volunteer placement for Gap Year Students of Antipodeans Abroad, Australia in teaching at the Government schools of Jogitar village, Kavre district from April to June.

Volunteers in a home stay village will help with English classes and Environment awareness activities for local children while experiencing local cultures.

Tourism Good Practice Study in Gosainkunda Trail Begins

WWF Nepal Program funds KEEP on behalf of good practices display and documentation for tourism in key tourist and pilgrim sites/trails in Gosainkunda. KEEP activates the project through Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Study, Consultations and Documentation and Promotion and Outreach Activities beginning this April.

COMMUNITY PROJECT CONCLUDES

Four volunteers (two American and two Australian) were involved with KEEP’s “Community Project” held at Shree Bindawasini Lower Secondary School, Kavre from March 15-19, 2009 with support from School Management Committee (SMC) and organized in partnership with Raw Travels.

The volunteers were involved in landscaping as well as school renovation work while staying with a host family at the village. Besides work, the volunteers also took time to learn about the culture and people in the region.

KEEP'S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD

KEEP's 12th Annual General Meeting was held on December 5, 2008 at Hotel Mustang Holiday Inn. The formal session was chaired by Mr Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Program Officer of IUCN. Mr Sherpa congratulated KEEP on its achievements in the past year and also extends his best wishes for KEEP’s future endeavours.

During the second or closed session for KEEP members, Mr Binod Babu Tiwari (General Secretary) and Mr Ang Thupten Sherpa (Treasurer) of KEEP Executive Board presented the activities and key achievements and financial expenses of the Fiscal Year 2007/08 respectively. In addition, they also presented the proposed program and budget for the Fiscal Year 2008/09. Both of these were unanimously approved by the members.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS HELD

KEEP successfully organized two Community Projects in partnership with Intrepid Travels and the school management committees of the government schools based in Bhaktapur and Kavre. Six participants from Canada were involved at Shree Mahakali Primary School (Bhaktapur) from October 12-25, 2008. The participants were involved in construction of a school playground and a stairway to the school. The participants also donated educational materials, teaching aids, sports equipments and furniture to the school.

Similarly, 17 participants from Australia and UK were involved at Shree Bindawasini Lower Secondary School (Kavre) from November 2-5, 2008. The group was involved in construction of collapsed classroom walls of the old building and excavating land to prepare for the construction of a new school building. Educational materials, t-shirts and toys were also donated to the school by the participants.

Homestay arrangement was made for the participants for the duration of the project giving them an exposure to learn the Nepalese culture and lifestyle.

Wilderness First Aid Organized

A Five-Day Wilderness First Aid Course Training for trekking professionals was held on September 21-25, 2008. The practical training course attended by 38 trekking professionals dealt with prevention and treatment of minor health problems and injuries, recognition and treatment of AMS, hypothermia and frostbite, as well as instruction on use of Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) and adult Chest Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

British Embassy Registration

The British Embassy would like to inform you that all the British travelers visiting Nepal should be encouraged to register online on their new system called LOCATE. Registration is available at www.britishembassy.gov.uk/nepal and follow the link for the online registration.

KEEP Felicitates Founding Member

On September 15, 2008, KEEP felicitated Ms Joanne Chittenden (UK), one of its founding members in appreciation for her outstanding role in the establishment of KEEP as well as her continued support to the organization.

On the occasion, KEEP's Chairman, Dr Ajit Kumar Gurung awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Ms Chittenden on behalf of KEEP while the Director of KEEP, Mr DB Gurung highlighted the support provided by Ms Chittenden and the founding members’ and their roles in establishment of the organization and their continued support towards its successful growth. The function was attended by KEEP Executive Board Members and KEEP staffs.

Trekking Encounters to represent KEEP in UK

On September 18, 2008, a partnership agreement was signed between KEEP and Trekking Encounters Limited (UK), a UK registered based company. As per the agreement, Trekking Encounters (UK) will represent KEEP in UK and assist in fundraising for its conservation and eco-friendly initiatives in UK.

The agreement was signed by Mr Erskine Fraser Williams, Director of Trekking Encounters (UK) and Mr DB Gurung, Director of KEEP in the presence of Mr Pitamber Gurung, Acting General Secretary of KEEP Board, Ms Susan Ann WIlliams, Director of Trekking Encounters (UK) and Mr Krishna Bhattarai, Executive Director of Encounters Nepal.

Three-Week ELC for Thamserku Trekking Guides

A three-week tailor made English language course was held on August 10-31, 2008 in partnership with Thamserku Trekking (Nepal). The course was attended by 27 trekking guides currently employed at Thamserku Trekking.

Besides the language, presentation on Flora & Fauna of Nepal, Cultural Heritage of Nepal, Trekking Responsibly in the Himalayas, Tourism in Nepal and First Aid and Mountain Safety were also conducted.

Heritage Site Clean-up

In collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), KEEP organized a half-day clean-up program of the Shova Bhagwati Temple on August 4, 2008, Monday. The program was held as a part of an Environmental Awareness program in advance of Monsoon English Language Course attended by the 56 participants as well as volunteers, KMC staffs and KEEP members.

Four-Week Monsoon ELC held

A four-week Monsoon English Language Course for Tourism Professionals was held in Kathmandu from July 10 – August 8, 2008 in attention with 54 tourism professionals. The course was aimed at improving the English speaking ability of individuals engaged in trekking tourism.

Besides, the participants were also involved in clean-up activities and excursion visit to the Central Zoo as well as education on trekking responsibly, tourism in Nepal, cultural heritage, porter safety and first aid and mountain safety were presented.

FK Nepal Network: Climate Change Workshop

A two-day Capacity Building Workshop on Climate Change for FK Nepal Network members was organized by FK Nepal Network on July 24-25, 2008. The workshop aimed to make FK Nepal Network partners understand the basis of climate change, impact and assessment as well as adaptation and mitigation measures so that they can apply the knowledge gained in their respective fields. Ms Sarina Lama, Assistant Program Officer represented KEEP at the workshop.

Climate Change & Tourism Workshop Held

A Half-Day Awareness/Interaction Workshop on Climate Change and Tourism was organized jointly by KEEP and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on June 29, 2008. The aim of the workshop was to highlight climate change and its impacts to mountain tourism destinations of Nepal.

Mr Ngamindra Dahal Coordinator of Energy & Climate Change, NTNC and Mr Sandeep Chamling Program Manager Climate Change & Energy and presented their views on impacts of climate on mountain communities a well as global and local efforts to combat climate change.

The workshop was participated by representatives of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), Nepal Tourism Board (NMA), Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Trekking Agents' Association Nepal (TAAN), Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO), Nepal Mountaineering Instructors' Association (NMIA) as well as trekking agencies and media houses.

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