
In collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the National Federation of the Deaf Nepal (NDFN) implemented the Skills and Entrepreneurship Development Project for Deaf Persons for Inclusive Tourism under Nepal’s Sustainable Tourism Project. As part of this initiative, NDFN, in partnership with the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM), launched a 35-day trekking guide training for 25 Deaf youths on 4th November, 2025 in Kathmandu. The opening ceremony was held with the chief guest, Mr. Divya Raj Pokhrel, Executive Director of NATHM, along with other distinguished guests: Mr. Ajay Kumar Dhakal, Principal of NATHM; Mr. Divya Dawadi, Project Manager of the Sustainable Development Project at UNDP; and Mr. Santosh KC, President of the National Federation of the Deaf Nepal. Sharing his remarks during the program, Mr. Divya Dawadi, Project Manager of UNDP’s Sustainable Development Project, stated that the project aims to support communities that are marginalized or left behind, making the tourism sector more inclusive and sustainable. He informed that UNDP has already provided trekking guide training to sexual and gender minorities as well, aligning with this objective. Similarly, Mr. Divya Raj Pokhrel, Executive Director of NATHM, expressed confidence that this training would strengthen the contribution of Deaf youths in promoting Nepal’s civilization, history, and natural beauty to the world. NDFN believes that this training program will enhance the skills and capacity of Deaf youths in trekking guiding and contribute to promoting inclusive tourism in Nepal.