January 30: Mountain flights from Nepalgunj to Kailash Mansarovar have started at the initiative of tourism entrepreneurs' associations. A chartered airplane of Shree Airlines with 38 Indian tourists made its maiden mountain flight to Kailash Manasarovar on Monday, informed Keshav Neupane, regional director of the Siddhartha Business Group.    
Although the flight was scheduled to begin last Saturday, thick fog weakened visibility, resulting into two days delay.    
Tourism entrepreneur Neupane added that the mountain flight would help recover declining business and help identify tourism destinations for Indian tourists.

"At least one flight for Indian tourists in the season will contribute to boost tourism activities," he said, adding that the view of the Kailash Mansarovar is alluring site indeed.    
Another tourism entrepreneur Dr Om Mishra expressed happiness over the success of the mountain flight conducted on Monday after a long struggle. He claimed that the mountain flights will help establish Nepalgunj as a tourist destination.    
Moreover, chairman of Banke chapter of Nepal Association of Tour and Travels Agents (NATTA), Shreeram Sigdel, shared the new initiative is also linked to Nepalgunj's future in terms of financial upliftment.    

Indian tourists who reached Kailash Mansarovar in the mountain flight from Nepalgung also expressed happiness.    
A hotelier in Nepalgunj, Punam Bhusal, said, "It certainly helps augment tourism industry."    
The Kailash Mansarovar, located in Tibet, is a holy site for both Hindus and Buddhists. It is visited largely by the Hindus from Nepal and India. -- RSS