Bhaktapur, Nepal . Bhaktapur Municipality has honored author, journalist, tour guide and Langtang Goodwill Ambassador Ashok Silwal for his contributions to promoting Nepal’s tourism, culture and heritage.
Silwal was recognized during a program organized to mark the 47th World Tourism Day in Bhaktapur. Senior politician Narayanman Bijukchhe (Rohit) attended the event as the chief guest, while Bhaktapur Mayor Sunil Prajapati and other dignitaries presented Silwal with a certificate of appreciation.
The municipality also recognized tourism organizations, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders for their contributions to developing and promoting Bhaktapur as a tourism destination.
Silwal, who serves as an advisor to the Village Tourism Promotion Forum, is the founder of the Himalaya to Ocean (H2O) Nepal Book Journey, a literary and tourism initiative designed to promote Nepal’s diverse landscapes, cultures, traditions and spiritual heritage through books and related programs.
The initiative aims to reach all 77 districts of Nepal and audiences abroad, using literature as a platform to tell stories about Nepal and encourage greater interest in its tourism destinations.
As part of the initiative, Silwal has published three books: Everest: An Unfinished Story, Ocean: The Sound of the Himalayas and Appa Deepo Bhava.
Everest: An Unfinished Story explores the Everest region through the experiences of people connected with the mountain, the challenges involved in journeys to the region and the effects of the devastating 2015 earthquake.
Ocean: The Sound of the Himalayas examines the connection between the Himalayas and the ocean while conveying the message of “One Earth, One Family.”
Meanwhile, Appa Deepo Bhava, based on Silwal’s Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage, reflects on his spiritual experiences and observations during the journey.
Silwal’s forthcoming book, Langtang: From Death to Life, focuses on the recovery of the Langtang region following the 2015 earthquake and the experiences of local communities affected by the disaster.
Through the H2O Nepal Book Journey, Silwal has sought to combine his literary work with tourism promotion, bringing stories of Nepal’s mountains, communities, culture and spiritual traditions to readers in Nepal and internationally.
The recognition by Bhaktapur Municipality highlights the growing role of literature and storytelling in presenting Nepal’s tourism potential to domestic and international audiences.
