Himalayas get 'Israel Trail'
Israeli Embassy in Nepal initiates 3-kilometer walkway for hikers on Asian mountain range named after Jewish state
As part of a campaign initiated by the Israeli Embassy in Katmandu, the capital city of Nepal, in cooperation with the Nepalese authorities and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, a walkway for hikers was paved in a Himalaya nature reserve and will be called "The Israel Trail in the Himalayas."
The track is 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long and passes through an enchanted forest overlooking the snowy mountain tops of the Himalayas.
The trail's inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Hanan Goder, the Nepalese minister responsible for national planning, and Aviv Eisenband, director of forestry and professional development at KKL-JNF.
The "Israel Trail" was paved in the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park near Katmandu. The entrance to the track was unveiled during the ceremony, which was also attended by some 200 Israeli hikers and members of the Shalom Club – Nepalese citizens who participated in an education program in Israel and have since been connected to the Jewish state.
After the ceremony, the participants received high-quality metal signs prepared in KKL-JNF's production workshops in Israel, and the Shalom Club members and Israeli hikers placed them along the walkway and next to 22 species of trees characterizing the Himalaya forests.
The participants then took part in improving the walkway by placing 100 wooden steps in difficult hiking areas. Thirty teenagers from the nearby community's high school joined the operation.
The event concluded with a mass picnic in the nature. Many of the participants expressed their appreciation for Israel's contribution to the rural community and nature in Nepal.
Ambassador Hanan Goder said that the local community would enjoy the paved path as it is expected to attract many hikers. A similar event will be held in Israel soon and will include the inauguration of a "Nepal Trail" in one of the KKL-JNF forests.
