Valley must be developed into cultural destination: PM

December 1, 2000
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Kathmandu: (RSS): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the Kathmandu valley should be developed into a modern cultural destination as per the demands of the times.

 

Inaugurating the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival amidst a function here today, Prime Minister Koirala said that as the Kathmandu valley has all that is required of a place where people can meet, share ideas and be uplifted, it should be developed into a tourism destination as well.

 

The Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival is being organised by Himalayan Association in Cooperation with Eco-Himal and the Austrailian Development Cooperation.

 

Nepal has developed as a tourism destination, one which has relied on the natural splendour of the Himalaya and its cultural wealth and diversity during the second half of the twentieth century, the Prime Minister observed.

 

It is a matter of pride that the International Mountain Film Festival is being organised here for the first time, Prime Minister Koirala said, adding the festival will not only provide entertainment and education but it will also be a platform to discuss ideas related to highland peoples, their cultures and their environments.

 

The Prime Minister said that the year 2002 being recognised by the United Nations as the International Year of the Mountains, it will be a year of special importance to a Himalayan country like Nepal.

 

It will be a year in which the challenges faced by mountain regions will receive special attention in world forums and the issues identified by the film festival will add to the understanding of the special challenges faced by Nepal as a nation, he noted.

 

Prime Minister Koirala said the film festival will provide an opportunity for interaction among the film producers from across the world by bringing together documentaries, films and filmmakers from all over the world.

 

Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Keshav Sthapit said that the country is at present beset with innumerable problems and challenges which were insurmountable.

 

He said everything should be started from the ground level and there was room for prosperity amidst poverty but complained efforts were not being undertaken.

 

Film festival organising committee president Kanak Mani Dixit expressed the confidence that events like the International Mountain Film Festival will help in the development of tourism in Nepal.

 

President of Eco-Himal Dr. Kurt Luger and executive director of Himal Association Basanta Thapa said the International Mountain Film Festival would contribute much in sustainable mountain tourism development.

 

Fifty-two films depicting the traditional native highland and mountain culture, art, customs and habitat of some 20 countries including Nepal, India, France, America, Australia and Japan are to be screened during the four-day film festival.