Prime Minister of Nepal, Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai, inaugurated a 'Tsum valley cultural festival 2012' in Gorkha District on 25th April, 2012.

t the festival Tsum valley was officially declared as non-violence zone by the religious leader Ven. Ngawang Khenrap Drukpa Rinpoche.

In 1920 when Tsum Valley was experiencing food scarcity and other forms of suffering, the then Lama Sherap Dorje Drukpa Rinpochhe suggested local people to stop killing all forms of animals. The local people, nuns and monks heartily accepted this proposal, and signed a document written in their local language to this effect. They reaffirmed their commitment again in 1972. In 2009, the local people in Tsum valley expressed a desire to continue this commitment as a part of their Buddhism tradition.

This is why, today, Ven. Ngawang Khenrap Drukpa Rinpoche declared Tsum valley remains a “non-violence zone” forever. Ven. N. K. Drukpa Rinpoche is the re-incarnation of the then Lama Sherap Dorje Drukpa Rinpochhe.

"Today people have become very self-seeking causing immense pressure on our natural resources and environment", said Ven. Drukpa Rinpoche.

"To practice Buddha's teaching of peace, prosperity and non-violence in our life and to give a message to the worldwide community that we can sustain life without taking another life, I am very happy to make this declaration", he added.

“WWF welcomes the declaration of Tsum valley as non-violence zone as the valley is rich in biodiversity because people have been managing the area as a violence free zone for the past 92 years”, said Dr. Ghana S. Gurung, WWF Conservation Program Director.

“This is a practical example of how the Buddhist philosophy of 'non-violence', 'interconnectedness' and 'interdependence' between people and nature benefits conservation and supports livelihoods. WWF supports conservation partners - National Trust for Nature Conservation, Tsum Welfare Committee and others in their endeavor to promote this valley as a distinct tourism destination" added Dr Gurung.

Tsum Valley in Gorkha District lies in the Manasalu Conservation Area, which is a part of the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape which is also the project site of the Hariyo Ban Program. The Hariyo Ban Program is a new investment in biodiversity conservation and climate change in Nepal, funded by the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This area is also the new extended part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape.

The Tsum Valley declaration program has been jointly organized by the Government of Nepal and Tsum Welfare Committee with support of WWF Nepal, National Trust for Nature Conservation, Nepal Tourism Board and other partners. Nepalnews.com