Annapurna: Nepal’s Commercialization Initiative For An Endangered Landscape
August 18, 2008
By Jason A. Hendricks
There have been many debates over the years surrounding the commercialization of the world’s highest peaks. Mt. Everest is the biggest example of mountain commercialization, where hundreds of climbers a year flock to the world’s highest mountain, paying thousands of dollars for a guided chance to reach the coveted summit. The recent tragedy on K2 has sparked conversations of concern for it’s own commercialism, after it was being reported that high-altitude porters had been brought in for some of this years climbs.
Annapurna, while not as well-known to the outside world as Mt. Everest or K2, is still a very important peak to high-altitude alpine climbing. The peak rises 26, 538 ft., making it the 10th highest mountain in the world. Along with the climbing, Annapurna also happens to be the focal point for a 7,629 sq. km. conservation and protection initiative known as the Annapurna Conservation Area Project.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project helps to protect an area that offers some of the finest 
trekking trails in the Himalayan region and the world. These trails have become a world destination for many venturers into the Himalayan region and offers a nice glimpse at the natural wildlife and ecology of Nepal. This area is the largest protected area in all of Nepal and has been looked upon as an area of prestige and value to a country where income is hard to come by.
That could be changing in the very near future. Nepal has enacted plans to commercialize the area known as the Annapurna circuit. The thought is to capitalize on the area’s growing popularity with trekkers and make it more tourist friendly.
U.S. Outdoors Today Introduces The U.S. Outdoor Forums
August 7, 2008
U.S. Outdoors Today, in conjunction with Skinny Moose Media, is ready to unleash it’s latest project on the world–the U.S. Outdoor Forums. Throughout the past couple of weeks, myself, along with the Skinny Moose Media team have been creating what we are hoping will become a big asset to U.S. Outdoors Today.
The U.S. Outdoor Forums have been created to give all of us a place to share our thoughts, hangout, and meet new friends. We are hoping to reach as many people and interests as possible, all with one thing in common, the love and enjoyment of the great outdoors.
Some of the topics you can read about and discuss include:
- Camping
- Climbing
- Biking/Cycling
- Hiking/Backpacking
- Motorized Recreation
- Winter Sports
- Search & Rescue
- Survival
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Outdoor Gear
- Our National Parks
- Conservation/Environment
- Vacation/Travel
- Nature
- as well as Classifieds, Press Releases, and Outdoor Calendar
- PLUS: Areas for Specific States, General News, Sports, Politics, Hobbies, Weather, and a whole lot more.
This is definitely one of the largest outdoor forums currently available. There is something there for everyone. I am hoping that all of you will stop by and checkout the new U.S. Outdoor Forums and join me for some fun. Swing over and register, then post away.
You may find a link to the U.S. Outdoor Forums at the top of this site. If you have problems finding it, just click through the links that I have provided in this article.
News Alert: California Bans Lead Bullets
July 21, 2008
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill outlawing lead bullets for much of the state of California. His move goes against the California Department of Fish and Game’s recommendations on this issue and now puts in to question any authority that the department holds in regulating California’s Fish and Game policies based on scientific analysis. California’s Department of Fish and Game now worry that many of the state’s policies could be ushered in to a more political format, relying on voter decision and policy makers, rather than sure-fire scientifically based studies.
The bill outlawing the use of lead bullets, The Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act, has been deemed quite questionable. The bill outlaws lead bullets after it was found that lead was poisoning the state’s endangered California Condors. Scientists and environmental groups jumped on the issue and attributed it to lead bullets left in dead deer. The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance suggests that the lead could be coming from anywhere, with no scientific proof for the lead bullet suggestion.
Governor Schwarzenegger’s signature on the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act will undoubtedly draw more criticism and questions in the near future. Big game hunters in California will be required to use lead free bullets beginning with the 2008 hunting season. Hunters will be less than enthusiastic, as the price and effectiveness of the newer non-lead bullets have already been a question of hot debate.
This is the second big gun debate of 2008. Recently Washington D.C. ’s ban on guns was lifted after it was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, paving the way for many other cities and towns to relax their own bans on this issue. Gun owners and sportsman won a big battle in Washington D.C., only to see another front move in, that of the environmental aspects of the sport they partake.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming days and what new issues are brought up over the signing of the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act.
What are your thoughts on this issue?
