David Stevens asked:
Over the last ten years Nepal has experienced problems with infighting between the government and the Maoists due to conflicting ideas and political disagreement.
Though its a fact that cannot be hidden that people got killed during this conflict but there is no record of any tourists or travellers being injured, killed or involved in anyway. All people in Nepal have a strong belief that guests are equal to God, every Nepal abides by this and offers the warmest of welcomes to all visitors into Nepal.
The much awaited Comprehensive Peace Accord was signed between the government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) formally announcing an end to a decade long armed insurgency by the Maoists. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) Prachanda signed the historic Accord promising to chart a new destiny for “peaceful and democratic” new Nepal, and pledging for peaceful coexistence of all Nepali irrespective of caste, creed, religion and gender.
By making the ceasefire permanent, the accord declares the armed insurgency that began since February, 1996 as officially over. Effective immediately, the CPA states that illegal carrying of weapons, their display and any kind of attack, threat, intimidation would, henceforth, be punishable by law.
Overall, travelling to Nepal contains no more risk than travelling in other places of the world, in fact as a traveller you are much safer in Nepal than in other countries in the West. All the major tourist areas of Nepal are policed and patrolled and we have are own branch of the tourist police to assist travellers and keep them safe should a situation arise.
There is an overwhelming peace and tranquillity that prevails throughout Nepal as the Peace accord is signed and Maiost are included in the Government.
Over more than a half decade the Nepalese tourism industry has suffered severely due to the conflicts. Since both the Government and Maoists have committed for free movement of tourists and all Nepali in any part of the country, it will definitely provide a boost to ailing tourism industry of Nepal. The signing of Peace Accord also put full stop to illegal donations collected by Maoists from trekkers in the different trekking routes. Now tourists can go anywhere in Nepal with any problems.
Although not a single tourist had been targeted or harmed by the rebels during a decade long insurgency, the conflict emanated wrong message to world about the safety and security situation of Nepal. With the ending of conflict, all tourism entrepreneurs have expressed their satisfaction and happiness in the hope that it will bring permanent peace in the country which is vital for the growth of tourism industry.
Signing of Peace Accord has given a positive message to the world that Nepalese people are capable of resolving their own problem; and it has set an example in conflict resolution for the whole world. What until recently was dream of all Nepali and peace lovers has now become a reality.
The people of Nepal are truly very happy for tourists to come and visit Nepal and see and experience its beauty, grandeur, culture, arcane temples and monasteries, mountains and jungles of Nepal.
This is definitely the time to go to Nepal and join a tour or go trekking on Mount Everest as the prices are low at the moment and the Nepali people are extremely happy to receive travellers to their country.