Bungee jumping back in full swing in Nepal

Dec 23, 2010, 13:21 GMT

Kathmandu - Bungee jumping resumed in Nepal Thursday after the operators of the adventure sport agreed in a deal with protesting residents to contribute development funds to the local community.

The pact came a day after residents padlocked the bridge that is the sport's launching pad and is located close to the Chinese border, 100 kilometres east of Kathmandu.

The Last Resort operators promised to contribute to the village development committee starting with 800,000 rupees (10,666 dollars) for the first year and increasing 5 per cent each subsequent year.

The locals had claimed ownership over the suspension bridge over the Bhotekoshi River after the contract between residents and the company to operate the service for 10 years expired.

Tourists dive from the bridge into a narrow gorge from a height of 160 metres while attached to an elastic cord. Operators said it is one of the longest free-fall bungee dives in the world and is a popular tourist attraction.

The Last Resort has been operating under the joint management of New Zealand and Nepalese entrepreneurs for the past decade. It charges 85 dollars per jump.

The Last Resort said more than 14,000 visitors have jumped with it and it receives about 40 tourists daily.

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