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The Kathmandu University (KU) is beginning a course in Aviation Management at Bachelor's Level.

The School of Management of KU is running classes in Aviation Management under the partnership of Simrik Venture and Siddhartha Banasthali School. This will be the first of its course at the university in Nepal.

It is shared that 33 students will be enrolled in the first year of the Bachelor's Level this year. 

The four-year program is aimed at providing knowledge and skills on aviation operation and effective management of airlines and airports, Venture's Chairman Rameshwor Thapa shared.

The curriculum of the program will include aviation laws, aviation security, airport planning and management, aviation marketing, airline operations, aviation and economics, the importance of tourism and human resource management and other related topics.

"These courses will provide practical training on management of aviation activities," Thapa said. 

The Vice Chancellor of KU, Dr Bhola Thapa, said that the Bachelor's Level course on Aviation Management is aimed at producing skilled human resources in the country. "This is the first attempt in Nepal. We are confident in producing skilled human resources in Nepal in this subject," Vice Chancellor Dr Bhola Thapa added.

Five people lost their lives on the Annapurna trekking route last fiscal year.

The Annapurna Circuit trek, known for its stunning beauty, is also one of the world's most hazardous treks, ranking as the 10th most risky globally.

The deceased are an US citizen, an Indian national, a Briton, and two Nepalis.

According to Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, Chief of the Annapurna Area Conservation Project (ACAP) unit, the majority of the fatalities here so far are attributed to high-altitude sickness.

The 69-year-old US citizen died after falling off a cliff at Khotro of Naso Rural Municipality-3 in Manang while the 35-year-old tourist from India succumbed to high-altitude sickness at Todanda of Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality-9.  The Briton was found dead in a hotel room in Meta, Narpabhumi Rural Municipality-2.

Hari Adhikari (35) of Phulkharka in Ganga Jamuna Rural Municipality, a porter, died of altitude sickness near the Chulubes Camp in Manang Ngisyang-6.

Dadhiram Dangi (49) of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolis-9 in Dang, passed away near the Tiliho Base Camp. An autopsy report of Dangi is awaited.

Binod Gurung, Chair of the Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Manang, stressed the need to know the weather conditions in Manang before embarking on the trek.

Weather in Manang demands a gradual adaptation process and neglecting this may significantly increase the risk of high-altitude sickness.

A month-long festival will be starting in Swoyambhu tomorrow. It is said all the preparations for the festival are complete.

Swoyambhu Management and Conservation Mahasamiti expects a higher turnout of devotees this time, following the recent reconstruction of the monuments at the historic site.

Mahasamiti General Secretary Ashok Buddhacharya said shops that were being operated in the makeshift tents have been removed for the convenience of visitors. The Committee hopes that around 500, 000 people from home and abroad will observe the event.  

Imports of cooking gas (liquefied petroleum gas) and avian turbine fuel (ATF) via the Birgunj point decreased last fiscal year compared to the previous fiscal year. Data shows that the import of cooking gas decreased by four percent while the import of jet fuel witnessed a significant fall of 71 percent.

According to Birgunj Customs Office's Information Officer Raghulal Karna, during the fiscal year 2079-80 BS (2022-23), a total of 290,287 metric tons of cooking gas amounting to Rs 33.13 billion was imported while it was 267,048 metric tons worth Rs 30 billion last fiscal year.

The imports went down by 11,238 metric tons.

Similarly, the data indicates that 597,144 kiloliters (KL) of jet fuel worth Rs 17.31 billion was imported during the fiscal year 2078-79 BS (2021-22) via the point against 173,484 KL last fiscal year. However, the value of the fuel imported last fiscal year was Rs 18.21 billion due to an increased price of ATF. 

Despite the reduction in the imports of cooking gas and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), the imports of diesel and petrol increased. Diesel imports rose by four percent, while petrol imports soared by two percent compared to the previous year.

For the fiscal year 2079/80 (2022-23), diesel imports amounted to Rs 113.58 billion for 1,040,506 KL, and petrol imports totaled Rs 38.24 billion for 389,711 KL. In the previous fiscal year, diesel imports were valued at Rs 109.29 billion for 1,083,520 KL, and petrol imports at Rs 39.02 billion for 394,723 KL.

It is noted that 70 percent of Nepal's fuel requirements are addressed through supplies via Birgunj.