We value your smile. What a nice slogan for the visitors arriving at Kathmandu International Airport, but it is not true every where in Nepal.

As a French trekker I am used to pay the fees required to visit Shivapuri National Park, 250 Rs for the foreigners and only 10 Rs for Nepalese. During the month of April 2009 I have visited four times Shivapuri National Park because it is the closest greenish trekking destination from Kathmandu. I like this place where I am also enjoying outdoor yoga.

Crossing two different check posts I have asked information to the Park staff about the interest to trek in this or that part of the park. I never got any accurate reply from them, as if they have not yet visited their own park…


My last visit to Shivapuri National Park was on 2nd May 2009, to take part in the first civic yoga trekking organized free of charge at Karma hotel, Sundarijal, by Lila Nanda, a young well known Nepalese yoga teacher. More than sixty of his yoga students of all ages came early morning from Thurikel Park to Sundarijal. The yoga civic on a wide sunny terrace, surrounded by the green forest, has been highly appreciated by all participants. They will come again at the same place on other Saturdays.


On my return one Park employee checked my permit. By chance there was also one of big boss in the office. I complained to him about a graffiti symbolizing a shit which is often spoiling the Nepalese national Parks. This red graffiti has been painted at a dam, where everybody is passing by. It is very visible. This graffiti has nothing to do here and I suggested to the boss to delete it. It was as if I was trying to communicate with a disable governmental man deaf, mute and blind.
I am leaving Nepal with a very sad feeling that the Nepalese national Parks are damaged by a sect which seems to have passive accomplices.

EricLon@hotmail.fr