Falling trekker numbers and a desire to attract high-spending thrill-seekers and golfers are putting one of the world’s classic trekking routes under threat, conservationists have warned.

Nepalese authorities want to open up the Annapurna region to activities such as heli-skiing, whitewater rafting, spa relaxation and golf, as a new road opens the Himalayan beauty spot to mass tourism.

“After the construction of the road, the number of trekkers will be reduced,” said Aditya Baral, Nepal’s senior foreign-affairs adviser. “We are trying to create man-made tourism attractions, such as theme parks and adrenaline sports like bungee jumping and rafting.”

Supporters of the project say that the redevelopment of the area is crucial to the survival of businesses in the valley, but conservationists and trekking companies are angry. “With fast roads and expensive hotels, there will be no need for guides, porters or teahouses,” said guide Tsering Sherpa.

NO SUCH THING AS A FREE IN-FLIGHT LUNCH

United Airlines has set a worrying precedent by announcing it will charge economy-class passengers for in-flight meals on transatlantic trips from October 1. Hot meal services are to be replaced with snack boxes - with cheese, fruit, yoghurt and a cake - for £3.20, and salads and sandwiches for £4.80. “We have no plans to follow suit,” said BA. Not yet, anyway.

NICE ONE, GEYSER

Reports from Kamchatka, in Russia’s far east, suggest the Valley of the Geysers, a World Heritage Site widely believed to have been destroyed after a colossal landslide, has reemerged from beneath the rubble. The World Wildlife Fund reports two geysers, named Vodopadnaya and Shel, are as consistent as ever, “spewing water and steam skyward with all their former zeal”.

NICE ONE, CAESAR

A huge statue of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius has been uncovered by a team of archeologists working at Sagalassos, in Turkey. The 17ft-high marble statue dates back to AD165 and is reported to be “in superb condition”. Professor Marc Waelkens, leader of the Belgian team that found the statue, is delighted. “To give you an idea of the size: when I am standing in front of the legs, my head is not even reaching the knees,” he said. “I really can't describe how beautiful this is. It’s unbelievable.”

STRIKES OFF - AND ON

Walkouts by baggage handlers that threatened travel chaos at Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester airports this bank holiday Monday have been called off after unions GMB and Unite reached a last-minute agreement with employer Swissport. But passengers flying from Stansted could still face delays as a separate strike by security staff remained set to go ahead tomorrow.

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