Newsgroup: it.hobby.viaggi
Titolo: NEPAL... che fare?

Ciao a tutto il NG, mi chiamo Marcella e vi leggo spesso, pur non avendo mai
postato.
 
Proprio oggi leggo un post sui rischi di andare in Nepal e... mi è franata
la terra sotto i piedi!
 
So che l'altr'anno c'è stata quella strage all'interno della famiglia
reale... però non pensavo che il turismo fosse diminuito così tanto.
Grazie al vostro post mi sono documentata in vari siti e pare che per i
turisti non ci sia un pericolo reale, però sta di fatto che il turismo è
calato ALMENO del 50% quest'anno.
Sarò un po' fuori dal mondo, ma la prossima settimana sarei andata a cuor
leggero in agenzia a informarmi per i voli!!!
Vorrei andare nel marzo del 2003. Partiremmo in 2, niente trekking, solo una
decina di giorni nella valle di Kathmandu muovendoci con i mezzi pubblici.
Qualcuno di voi c'è andato di recente?
Qualcuno di voi sa aiutarmi a decidere se sia meglio cambiare meta, o se
invece semplicemente non devo lasciarmi suggestionare?
Grazie, grazie a tutti,
Marcella
 
 
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la terra sotto i piedi!
ti mando il bollettino del Foreign Office Britannico:
 
Still Current at: 5 September 2002  
Updated: 3 September 2002  
 
 Nepal 
 
SUMMARY
The state of emergency first declared in November 2001 has lapsed.
There is some uncertainty at this time whether or not it will be
reimposed. 
Maoist activity in rural areas remains low-key but indications are
that they will become proactive as the monsoon weakens during
September. 
There has been increased Maoist activity in Kathmandu, with bombs
being detonated within the city. 
The CPN (Maoist) have called for a one-day Bandh (national shutdown)
to take place on 16 September. Past experience of the run up to bandhs
has shown an increase in the levels of violence and disruption, and we
anticipate that this will continue. On the day of the Bandh, public
transportation, taxis and private buses may not operate: shops,
restaurants and bars may remain closed and government offices poorly
staffed. Tourists may therefore see their travel plans disrupted. 
We are not advising against travel to Nepal. However, the danger of
being in the wrong place at the wrong time is always present and the
situation could deteriorate quickly. British nationals planning to
travel to Nepal should monitor events carefully. The FCO Website will
be updated regularly with the latest security and travel information.
Additional information can be found at the British Embassy’s own
website at 
wwww.britain.gov.np
 
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Since November 2001, Maoist violence has taken place throughout the
country causing widespread disruption. There have been nation wide
bomb attacks and ambushes on the Police and security forces. The
Maoists have attacked infrastructural targets including,
telecommunications, utility supplies and bridges. The last few months
of the monsoon have seen a significant reduction in the levels of
violence but there are indications that the Maoists are gearing up to
resume their offensive against the government as the monsoon season
draws to a close. Additionally there are indications that the Maoists
are preparing to begin an urban campaign in support of their rural
activities.
 
In the last week there have been a number of bomb incidents in
Kathmandu. These include two devices which exploded prematurely whilst
being prepared, an explosion on Wednesday 29 August at Bishal Bazar,
the largest shopping complex in Kathmandu, and two bombs at Durba
Square, Patan, an important site of Hindu worship and a major tourist
attraction, the most recent being on the morning of 30 August.
 
Should British nationals finds themselves near the scene of a recently
exploded device, we strongly advise that they move away from the area
quickly and resist being drawn to view the incidents. There have been
indications that Maoists may target security forces whilst clearing an
area of a suspected bomb and manning the cordon around the site
following a detonation and where spectators often gather.
 
An unofficial curfew remains in force in Kathmandu, including the
tourist area of Thamel. Bars and restaurants tend to close well before
midnight. The British Embassy has received first hand reports of
police and army personnel resorting to physical abuse in enforcing
their requests for bars and restaurants to close and, where premises
have not been vacated quickly enough, both Nepalese and foreign
citizens have been targets of this abuse. We urge British citizens to
heed requests by the authorities and promptly vacate bars and
restaurants when requested.
 
Because the Maoists have previously targeted telecommunications,
trekkers must be aware that if they encounter problems of ill health
or have a serious accident it may be difficult to obtain rapid
helicopter evacuation.
Night time curfews have been declared in a number of towns and
districts at short notice. Army and Police checkpoints are frequently
encountered, including in the capital, resulting in extended journey
times.
 
Despite these problems, tourists have for the most part continued to
holiday in Nepal without too much difficulty. However, between 15 – 18
April three foreign climbing groups (Swiss, U.S, and Spanish) were
held at gunpoint by armed Maoists on the way to Makalu base camp and
robbed of cash. Violence was not used during robbery but the threat
was evident. There have also been isolated incidents of travellers
being robbed by brigands posing as Maoists, although such incidents
are rare. Travellers should, however, give due caution to petty crime.
 
Trekkers must remain on established routes, in groups (do not trek
alone), and with reputable trekking agencies. All British nationals
must remain vigilant at all times. Crowds and gatherings, wherever
encountered, and travel at night time should all be avoided. No area
can be regarded as completely safe; it cannot be ruled out that
British nationals could inadvertently be caught up in the violence.
ROAD SAFETY
 
Traffic in Nepal drives on the left as in the UK. The general standard
of driving throughout the country is poor, badly regulated and in the
Kathmandu valley, roads are very congested. Many drivers are neither
properly licensed, trained nor insured and vehicles are poorly
maintained. Outside of central Kathmandu pedestrian footpaths are
mostly non-existent and motorists do not yield right of way to
pedestrians.
 
Bus travel is particular hazardous, multiple fatality accidents are
common. British tourists are advised to avoid travel on overnight
buses.
 
Road conditions are generally poor and difficult even in the best of
conditions. During the monsoon (June to September), many roads outside
the Kathmandu valley are prone to landslides and become impassable.
 
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Visitors should not become involved with drugs. Possession of very
small quantities will almost certainly lead to imprisonment.
Visitors are advised to respect local customs. Women should avoid
inappropriate clothing in public places (shorts, sleeveless tops etc).
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Single entry tourist visas can be obtained from the entry points of
Nepal or from the Royal Nepalese Embassy in London. Visitors wishing
to stay more than 60 days can extend visas by up to 30 days by
applying to the Nepalese Department of Immigration at Bhrikuti Mandap
(adjacent to the Tourism Development Board and opposite City Hall)
Tel: +977 1 222453 or 223590; Fax: +977 1 223127.
Entry to Nepal may be refused, and airlines may not carry passengers
holding passports with less than six months validity. Overstaying
without authority is serious and visitors can be detained or refused
permission to leave until a fine is paid. For further information
visitors should check with the Royal Nepalese Embassy, 12A, Kensington
Palace Gardens, London, W8 4QU (Tel: 020 7229 1594/6231/5352; Fax: 020
7792 98610) Website at 
http://www.nepembassy.org.uk/