Kathmandu, Jan. 27: A meeting participated in by high-level representatives of various hmg ministries and offices was held here Wednesday under the chairmanship of Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar to ensure the success of the “Raid Gauloises Trans-Himalayan 2000” international adventure tourism programme to be organised in Nepal at the start of the millennium.

The meeting decided to constitute a coordination committee with high-level representatives of the various ministries and offices for the success of the millennial event.

On the occasion, Minister Gachchhadar stressed the need for making the Trans-Himalayan 2000 programme successful since it would contribute to Destination Nepal Year 2002 to be organised in the near future.

Assistant Minister for Tourism Narayan Singh Pun shed light on the importance and significance of Trans-Himalayan 2000.

President of the Trekking Agents’ Association of Nepal (taan) rajendra Bantawa and local representative of the event organisers, Gate Himalayan Adventures Pvt. Ltd., Ashok Mansingh Basnet, fielded various queries at the meeting and gave detailed information about the programme.

About 800 persons from more than 15 countries will take part in Trans-Himalayan 2000  to take place in mid-April. The participants   will take part in various adventure sports such as rafting, trekking, cycling, conoeing in the designated ten days.

According to experts, since the event would be broadcast live over television in more than 50 countries and as various articles and write-ups covering Trans-Himalayan 2000 would be published in major newspapers and magazines, the event would make significant contributions in promoting Nepal’s tourism and this would open up a new vista for the country’s tourism industry.

Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar had made the announcement of Trans-Himalayan 2000  to be organised as the tenth programme of the famous French adventure tourism organisers,  Raid Gauloises, at a joint press conference organised by the Ministry of  Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Embassy of France on October 28.

The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has also assumed patronage of the programme.