Kathmandu, May 27: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey asserted that conservation of mountains is the common responsibility of all of us.
Inaugurating the first-ever International Everest Summiteers’ Summit-2025 here today, Minister Pandey emphasized the need to conserve the mountains and mountain cultures for future generation.
Pandey said, “We are here not only to congratulate those scaling the Sagarmatha but also to honour their courage, dedication and sacrifices.”
On the occasion, he extended special honour to the Sherpa communities, guides, rescue team and everyone who have been tirelessly serving in the Himalayan region, acknowledging their ‘devotion’ in making mountain travel safer, more nature conscious and more meaningful.
Highlighting the government active efforts in development of infrastructures, training and environmental protection, the Minister reaffirmed that government was committed towards improving the living standards of the local communities and ensuring prosperity for them alongside promoting mountainous tourism.
Noting that Himalayas were more than a rocky mountain, Minister Pandey recognized them as a ”bridge of civilization, culture and co-existence” and thus called for collective efforts to safeguard them.
Expressing concern over increasing threats of global warming and climate change on the mountains, the Minister urged timely climate actions.
He expressed his confidence that the gathering of Sagarmatha summiteers would inspire global community to renew their commitment towards the mountain conservation.
On the occasion, Minister Pandey honoured several national and international climbers who set their feet atop the highest mountain in the world over different period.
During the event, Minister Pandey honoured Kanchha Sherpa, who climbed Sagarmatha (Everest) as a part of the Edmund Hillary’s expedition team in 1953 with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.
Other record-holder Sherpa such as Mingma Sherpa and Hari Bahadur Buda among others were also feted.
Also, speaking in the conference, Nepal Tourism Board’s CEO Deepak Raj Joshi said that the mountaineering would contribute in promotion of adventure tourism in Nepal, a country that is home to the highest mountain in the world- Sagarmatha (Mt Everest).
Likewise, Member-Secretary at the National Sports Council Tankalal Ghising viewed that the Summit would be useful in establishing Nepal as the hub for adventurous mountain tourism and a land of the ‘Courageous’.
Sagarmatha Aarohi Sangh’s President Dambar Parajuli, saw the Summit’s relevance in boosting the morale, prestige and dignity of Sagarmatha summiteers worldwide.
The Everest Alliance Nepal organized the first such event where over than 300 Sagarmatha summiteers from 25 countries are participating.
The conference has brought together summiteers from Nepal as well as other countries such as India, China, the USA, Pakistan, the UK, Italy, Norway, Iran, Singapore, Australia, Lebanon, Morocco and the UAE.
Alliance’s President Sudarshan Nepal shared that the event was organized with an objective to promote adventurous tourism in Nepal.
The event also aims to provide a platform for the mountaineers, policy makers, conservationists, tourism entrepreneurs in the mountainous region, trekkers and local communities of mountain region to collaborate on the sustainable mountain tourism, environment protection and uplifting the local communities, explained President Nepal.
One of the major objectives of the event, added Nepal, is to assemble Sagarmatha summiteers in a single forum and share stories of their inspirational journey, struggles and challenges as well as lessons learned by them.
