In the aftermath of unprecedented tragedy, Nepal is mourning the loss of 24 lives including those of an incumbent state minister, top bureaucrats, national and international conservationists who died with the crash of the ill-fated chopper of Shri Airlines in Taplejung.

The cabinet meeting on Tuesday announced today as the day of national mourning, a public holiday and the day in which the national flag will be flown at half mast in the country as well as in Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad. The parliament also passed a resolution on condolence expressing sorrow at the demise of the distinguished persons.

As friends and families of the deceased persons continue to wait for the bodies to be flown in to Kathmandu from the crash site in Taplejung, different memorial services are planned in the country and abroad.

The WWF has planned a memorial service on September 28 at 9 a.m. at Birendra International Convention Center in Kathmandu. The Finland Embassy in Kathmandu has maintained a condolence book for those wishing to offer their condolence on the death of its Charge d’Affaires Pauli Mustonen.

Due to the terrible loss, different events and programs scheduled (for Wednesday) by foreign missions and tourism organizations have been postponed. The US mission has announced cancellation of all previously scheduled mission events for Wednesday. The US embassy was to host a seminar on Civil-Military Relations on Wednesday. The Chinese Embassy has also postponed its pre-scheduled reception on Wednesday to mark China’s 57th foundation day. Likewise, the Thamel Tourism Development Board (TTDB) has postponed all programs scheduled for Wednesday on the occasion of World Tourism Day.

Meanwhile, in his message on helicopter tragedy, James P. Leape, Director General of the WWF has stated that it is a “terrible time for those of us at WWF, for Nepal, and for conservation around the world.” Leape added, “These are dark days for Nepal. The country has lost its Minister of State for Forests and Soil Conservation, the Secretary of that Ministry, the Director General of National Parks and Wild Life Conservation, the Director General of Forests, several of its most distinguished defenders of natural resources and overseas specialists who were champions for conservation in Nepal.”

“Nature conservation in the country will suffer a severe setback,” Leape stated.