KATHMANDU, JUNE 28

Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has sought more peaks from the government for its management.

Newly elected team of NMA, today, requested the government to award them with more peaks to promote while paying first courtesy call to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

''We have 176 unclimbed peaks of between 5500-meter and 6500-meter height. They also lack the promotion'', submitting the three point demands to Prime Minister, president of NMA Sherpa said, ''So, we would like to request the government to award all these unclimbed peaks to us. We would promote those peaks internationally using the platforms of UIAA & UAAA. This will surely benefit the government.''

Currently NMA is managing 27 peaks of between 5500-meter and 6500-meter height. However, it needs to renew the contract with the government. NMA president Sherpa also requested the government to renew the contract before it comes to an end.

NMA delegates also submitted a letter to Prime Minister requesting the government for the treatment of Shambhu Tamang. Everest summiteer and one of the founder members of the NMA Tamang has been diagnosed with cancer and admitted to hospital.

In response, Prime Minister Deuba promised to satisfy the demands of NMA.

''Let me understand all the things first. I know NMA is doing great work for the promotion of Nepal's mountain tourism,'' Prime Minister Deuba said. ''I have taken all the demands seriously submitted by you and will direct all the concern to fulfill your demands.''

Senior vice-president Thakur Raj Pandey, first vice president Ang Dawa Sherpa, general secretary Mohan Lamsal, Secretary Dhan Bahadur Gurung and treasurer Mukti Pandey were in the NMA delegation.

Members Pitamber Gurung, Dinesh Tamang, Ang Dawa Sherpa, Namgyal Jangbu Sherpa, Pasang Dawa Sherpa, Doma Sherpa, Ngima Doma Sherpa, Rajendra Bahadur Lama, Singi Lama, Lal Bahadur Waiba & Lama Babu Sherpa were also in the NMA delegation.

The NMA team had also paid a courtesy call to former Prime ministers KP Oli, Puspa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal.