KATHMANDU, AUGUST 31

The 33rd annual general meeting of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has successfully concluded today, in which the association made public its progress report for the fiscal year 2022-23 and discussed the policies and programmes of the fiscal year 2023-24.

The NMA has estimated an income of Rs 159.31 million and that its expenditure will stand at Rs 260.75 million in the current fiscal year

The meeting was attended by the guest of honour and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, chief guest and Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati along with members of NMA and representatives from tourism-related institutions.

Welcoming all those present on the occasion, President of NMA Nima Nuru Sherpa shared that the NMA is the only Alpine club in the country dedicated to the development of the mountaineering sector and generating manpower and employment while also conserving the mountaineering environment since it was established on November 1, 1973.

Stating that over 1,700 peaks have been identified in the country for mountaineering, Sherpa shared that just 419 have been opened for this purpose, which points to the poor work done by the association and urged the government to support this matter.

Sherpa also mentioned that the NMA has coordinated with the Union of Asian Alpine Association (UAAA) to hold its annual general meeting on October 31. He shared that the NMA has also invited the UIAA, also known as the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation to hold its annual general meeting in the coming months and urged the government to allocate a separate budget to organise such programs as it will help promote the country's tourism in an international platform.

NMA President Sherpa also proposed to the government that the association is ready to take on the responsibility and management of other peaks below 6,500 metres across the country.

Addressing the programme, Minister Kirati remarked that while there are many cold mountains in Nepal, many warm stories have been told from the mountains. 'Mountains are the white gold of the country and it earns billions in income from showcasing them to foreigners. However, due to climate change, our mountains are at risk and we have yet to do a lot of work to conserve them. There have been many reports of various problems arising in the Sagarmatha region and have started discussions on them,' he said.

Acknowledging that the country has huge tourism prospects, Minister Kirati pointed out that the tourism sector alone cannot be developed when the country is facing various problems at present. He also shared that the ministry is amending the Tourism Act 1978 as the 45-year-old tourism act cannot address the issues and needs of the present.

Also, Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha remarked that the meeting has drawn the government's attention by raising serious concerns regarding the mountaineering sector. He expressed his commitment to address the issues raised by keeping them as the upmost priority on behalf of the government. 'The government is moving forward by keeping our historical values at the centre and trying to take the country and its citizens towards economic prosperity with the coordination of all political parties, organisations, and the private sector.' Furthermore, Ice 8000 Pvt Ltd, Nepal Climbing Adventure Pvt Ltd, South Col Adventure Pvt Ltd, Seven Summit Treks Pvt Ltd, Adventure Everest Team Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd, Asian Hiking Team Pvt Ltd, Mera Alpines Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd, Satori Adventure Pvt Ltd, Asian Trekking Pvt Ltd, and Makalu Adventure Pvt Ltd respectively were honoured as the top 10 companies for their contribution to revenue generation in the mountaineering sector.

The NMA has also urged the government to assist in organising mountaineering training and making high-altitude rescue operations effective. Also, the NMA has prepared plans to coordinate with insurance agencies and establish a fund for retiring mountaineers in this fiscal year. The association has urged the government to renew the application for 17 peaks being overseen by the NMA as the agreement made with the government for their management has surpassed its deadline.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 1, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.