KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 22

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale has said that the government was serious about addressing the concerns of mountaineers to support the country's adventure tourism sector.

After meeting a delegation of Everest Summiteers Association led by president Maya Sherpa at his office, minister Ale expressed his commitment that his ministry would join hands with ESA for the wellbeing of mountaineers. 'The ministry will support ESA's plan to establish a basket fund to support climbers, their families and other concerned stakeholders,' he said.

ESA has also asked the minister to allocate 10 per cent of total royalties collected from mountain climbing to the climber's welfare fund. Minister Ale directed the secretary for the necessary action.

'We have asked the minister to address mountaineers' problems at the earliest as many of them have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,' delegation members said.

ESA also delivered a congratulatory message to Ale for his appointment as the head of the line ministry.

MoCTCA Secretary Maheshwor Neupane, ESA first vice president Diwas Pokhrel, general secretary Shiva Bahadur Sapkota and treasurer Diki Sherpa among others were present on the occasion.