KATHMANDU: President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association Ang Tshering Sherpa has been honoured with one of the highest awards of Belgium for his tireless effort to support survivors of the 2015 devastating earthquake.

Ambassador of Belgium to Nepal Jan Luykx conferred 'Officer of the Order of the Crown' on Sherpa, who is also an honorary consul of Belgium to Nepal, amidst a function in the Capital on Monday evening.

The envoy also presented 'Knight of the Order of the Crown' award to Jozefa Logghe Sherpa for her contribution to strengthening ties between Nepal and Belgium.

The awards signed by the Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister were approved by the King Philippe of Belgium, according to Luykx.

Luykx said that the awards conferred on Sherpa couple were the greatest honours presented by the King of Belgium to the foreign nationals.

"Sherpa has played an important role to enhance people-to-people relations between the two countries," he said.

On the occasion, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat and other dignitaries also congratulated Sherpa for his valuable achievement.

Born in Solukhumbu in 1953, NMA president Sherpa has been working in mountain tourism sector for over four decades.

He has also served as the president of the Union of Asian Alpine Associations and a founding board member of Nepal Tourism Board.