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The Jomsom-Tilicho trail, leading to Tilicho Lake, the world’s highest lake at an altitude of 4,919 meters, has become significantly easier to navigate. Thanks to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Jomsom, the trail’s upgrade is making the journey more accessible for both domestic and international tourists.

The trail, which passes through Gharpazhong Rural Municipality-4 Jomsom via Thini, Namkhulek, and the Mesokondo Pass, has been improved with tourist signposts and trail markers. These upgrades have been implemented as part of a broader effort by ACAP to maintain and promote the area’s tourism infrastructure. The head of the ACAP Mustang office, Pramodaraj Regmi, confirmed that the project has installed trail signals, informational signposts, and signboards at high-altitude sites, as well as on trails prone to landslides. Biodiversity observation areas and garbage management initiatives are also part of the ongoing effort to preserve the region's natural beauty while enhancing the tourist experience.

According to Regmi, the conservation project has prioritized the maintenance and improvement of footpaths in the Annapurna Conservation Area, with plans to continue upgrading alternative footpaths and building infrastructure in the lower Mustang region. Last year, footpath improvements were completed in Chokhopani, Sauru, Leyte Kaiku, and Missi, with additional upgrades and signposting planned for the current fiscal year.

The Jomsom to Tilicho Lake route is considered one of the most suitable and shortest routes for tourists traveling via the Beni-Jomsom road. ACAP aims to further develop this route to ensure that the Mustang-Tilicho footpath becomes a key tourist destination, offering easier access to Tilicho Lake. Last year, ACAP repaired and improved existing footpaths and constructed new ones where necessary.

Tourists traveling along the route must pass through the Mesokondo Pass, located at an altitude of 5,245 meters. From the pass, it is a one-and-a-half-hour walk to Tilicho Lake. As part of the ongoing improvements, ACAP has installed 43 new and refurbished trail information boards along the route, offering guidance and vital information to trekkers. However, while bamboo huts have been built in Namkhulek for tourists, there are no accommodations or restaurants on the stretch between Namkhulek and Tilicho Lake, so visitors must bring their own equipment, including tents, food, and medicines.

ACAP advises that tourists travel in groups and be well-prepared, especially when venturing into the high-altitude, remote areas of the trail. The best time to visit Tilicho Lake, located on the border of Manang and Mustang, is from April to October, avoiding the harsh winter months from November to March. The one-way trip along the Tilicho footpath requires seven to nine hours of walking, although horses are available in Thini village for those who prefer not to hike the entire distance.

The upgrades to the Jomsom-Tilicho trail are expected to boost tourism in Mustang and provide visitors with a safer and more enjoyable trekking experience while promoting sustainable tourism practices in the region.

The government has celebrated Constitution Day by organizing a special program on Wednesday.

The program was organized at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel this morning.

President Ram Chandra Paudel, Vice-President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Speaker Devraj Ghimire and Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha among others were present in the program.

The Constitution was promulgated on September 20, 2015.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that our future should be secured by using the freedom ensured by the Constitution.

Extending his message of best wishes on the occasion of Constitution Day today through his social networking sites, the PM said that the people's elected Constituent Assembly (CA) promulgated the Constitution as per the choice of citizens for the form of governance after the decades-long struggle and sacrifices of hundreds of people. "The Constitution has made it powerful to all. It has protected the aspirations of all ideologies, communities, geographies, genders, and ethnic and religious groups," the PM said.

"The rights we are using now could be safeguarded only through their promotion," the PM said, urging the young generation not to forget the totalitarian regime faced by the people for long.

The Government of the United States of America has extended best wishes to Nepalis on the occasion of Constitution Day today.  

Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, has offered his sincere congratulations to the people of Nepal on Constitution Day on behalf of the Government of the United States of America.

He said this day is also an important moment to recognize many of Nepal’s achievements, including the recent passage of historic transitional justice legislation, and has called for its successful implementation bringing justice for victims and survivors.

In his message, the Secretary of State has expressed his satisfaction with the joint efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties, boost economic growth through initiatives like the debt-free partnership with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, promote justice, and uphold democratic principles. "We remain committed to working with Nepal to increase its climate resilience and advance its transition to clean energy," Blinken said.

Constitution Day is being observed by organizing various programs across the country on Thursday.

The day marks the promulgation of the Constitution written by the people's representatives from the Constituent Assembly on September 20, 2015.

The present Constitution is the seventh written constitution of Nepal, which has aimed to establish socialism via citizen's socioeconomic and cultural rights.

It bears special significance for it was promulgated by the Constituent Assembly that was based on the second people's movement, peace accord and peace process.

The peace accord was signed earlier between the seven political parties and the rebellious CPN-Maoist.

Importantly, it has formally institutionalized the new system of federal democratic republic with the abolition of the unitary system and monarchy.

A special function is being organized at the Army Pavilion at Tundikhel this morning.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has said that the Constitution of Nepal has united ethnically, religiously, culturally and geographically diverse Nepali society into a thread of broader national unity by ending all sorts of discrimination and oppression imposed by the centralized and unitary form of governance.

In a message of best wishes today on the occasion of Constitution Day and National Day 2081 BS, the President has expressed confidence that the Constitution Day would make the political parties, leadership, government and the entire state regime more responsible for making it more democratic, just and result-oriented.

President Paudel has expected that this day would inspire all to unite to meet the aspirations of people for lasting peace, good-governance, development and prosperity through the federal democratic republican system.

In his message, the President has praised the contributions of political activists, the general public and the leaders of the political parties for their participation and leadership role in the political movements and tough struggles that happened at different times for the establishment of the republic. 

Likewise, the President has expressed condolence to all known and unknown martyrs for their martyrdom during different movements waged for the cause of the republican system.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba held a meeting with the Chair and Members of Canada-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group in Ottawa on Wednesday.

The Chair of Canada-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group and Member of Parliament Sonia Sidhu welcomed Minister Deuba at the Parliament Hill and expressed happiness over the first visit of a Nepali Foreign Minister to Canada.

The two sides reviewed the friendly relations between the Parliaments of Nepal and Canada and stressed the need to promote regular exchanges, experiences sharing between the Members of Parliament of the two countries, according to the Embassy of Nepal in Ottawa.

On the occasion, Foreign Minister Deuba stated that Canada-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group stands as an important platform for sharing of experiences and learning from each other’s democratic processes.

Foreign Minister Deuba thanked the Canadian Members of Parliament and Senators for their service to the promotion of Nepal-Canada relations and also informed about the formation of a Nepal-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Federal Parliament of Nepal.

She expressed confidence that the two Parliaments will be able to promote greater exchanges and collaborations through these important mechanisms.

Likewise, Chair of Canada-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group, Sonia Sidhu, highlighted the potential areas of cooperation between the parliamentarians of Canada and Nepal and enriched the friendly relations. She also appreciated the progress Nepal has made in gender equality and empowerment of women and girls with greater representation of Nepali women in the parliament and local government as well as enhanced contribution of them in public life, the Nepal Embassy said by issuing a press release.

Foreign Minister Deuba was accompanied by Nepal's Ambassador to Canada Bharat Raj Paudyal and other officials during the meeting.

Vice-President of Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) and founder of the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) Sunil KC emphasized the importance of cultural and economic integration among BIMSTEC nations.

KC said so during a program he participated as a guest speaker at the Bodhgaya-Nalanda Conference- BIMSTEC Plus organized by Synergia Foundation in collaboration with Nalanda University from September 12-14.

In the event, he highlighted how the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) serves as a bridge between South and SouthEast Asia, fostering a deep-rooted connection through shared historical values and economic ties.

KC underscored the vital role of culture in regional development, noting that shared cultural heritage can drive economic collaboration, particularly in sectors like tourism, education and creative industries.

He called for greater cooperation to promote tourism, leveraging the region’s rich cultural diversity and boosting local economies.

On sustainable development, KC emphasized the need for inclusive economic strategies that uplift marginalized communities, women and youth.

Furthermore, he outlined key priorities such as infrastructure development, digital economy expansion and climate action to ensure a future where economic growth is equitable and environmentally sustainable.

The conference explored the vision of “BIMSTEC Plus” to extend partnerships beyond the region, creating wider economic corridors and addressing global challenges such as climate change, digital innovation and economic resilience.