News Briefs assembled by Roshan Shrestha, Kathmandu Projects Co-ordinator for Bridges-PRTD

Sept. 28, 2002: In conjunction with World Tourism Day, the Hanuman Dhoka/Durbar Square Project Conservation Project (HDDSCP), in collaboration with local entrepreneurs, is planning a special program involving a street festival and dance performances.

Sept. 19, 2002: The HDDSCP site management has initiated a telephone counter next to the tourist office bouth in DS. The facility allows calls anywhere in the world in 24 hour. Users must buy a Smart Card from the site office for Rs. 200.

Newly Opened Peaks: HMG has authorised the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) to open 13 more peaks for trekking. All peaks are above 6000 metre except one. This brings the number of peaks in Nepal opened for climbing to 276. The new peaks are:

1) Tashi Kang (6386m.) 2) Tsartse (6398 m.) 3) Khatung Kang(6484 m.) 4) Norbu Kang(6005 m.)

5) Kangfu Gaton (5916 m.) 6) Nemjung (7139 m.) 7) Danfe Sail (6103 m.) 8) Ghenye Liru (6571 m.) 9) Mera South(6064 m.)

10)Naulekh (6240 m.) 11)Khangri Shar (6811 m.) 12)Khangri West (6773 m.) 13)Lung Sampa (6100 m.)

August 31, 2002: Prof. Jack D. Ives (far right in the photo) and Prof. Bruno Messerli(second from left) have received the prestigious King Albert Medal of Merit for their contributions to to sustainable development of the world's mountainous regions.

Ives and Messerli were cited for their key role in the creation of Chapter 13 ("mountains" of Agenda 21, adopted by the global summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992, as well as for numerous publications, including Mountains of the World: A global Priority and the journal Mountain Research and Development. Jack Ives and Bruno Messerli are personally responsible for a large proportion of the current international interest in mountain environments.

EcoHimal was cited for building a small hydropower plant in Sagarmatha National Park, as well as other projects. Patricia East accepted the award on behalf of EcoHimal (at center, in the photo).

The King Albert I Medal was established in memory of the Belgian king, an avid mountaineer. One of the first recipients was Lord Hunt, who fifty years ago lead an expedition that successfully placed Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay at the summit of Mt. Everest. For more details on the award, see the Web sites of the Belgian Alpine Club and the King Albert I Memorial Foundation

edited by Bruno Messerli and Jack