KATHMANDU, JULY 29

Senior tourism entrepreneur Furba Gyaljen Sherpa has announced his candidacy for the position of President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). He made the announcement on Tuesday during a press conference, stating that he would soon finalize his election panel ahead of the NMA elections scheduled for Bhadra 7 (August 23) in Kathmandu.

Sherpa pledged to work within the statutes and framework of the association to safeguard the rights and interests of its members. Born in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-3 in Solukhumbu, Sherpa has been involved in trekking and mountaineering since childhood while pursuing his education. After completing his studies, he established his own trekking company and has remained active in the mountain tourism sector.

He emphasized his vision of elevating Nepal's global image by coordinating with the government and implementing various projects through the NMA. Sherpa committed to establishing a Mountaineers' Welfare Fund for climbers' rights and emergency rescues, a fund that the government has promised but has yet to fully implement.

Highlighting the lack of dedicated institutions for mountaineering education in Nepal, Sherpa vowed to initiate efforts to establish a Mountain Adventure University, allowing Nepalese youths to study and train in Nepal instead of going abroad. He said such an institution would also attract international students due to its unique opportunities for training on the world's highest peaks.

Sherpa also pledged to set up a world-class mountaineering training centre and improve rescue operations in the Himalayas. His plan includes providing rescue training to locals, storing rescue equipment in high-altitude regions, and creating a unified emergency response system to ensure timely rescues during accidents.

If elected, Sherpa said he would advocate for special facilities at international airports for climbers who set world records, ensuring they receive the respect and recognition they deserve. He also criticized the misuse of climate change funds by NGOs and INGOs, stating that large sums are spent on seminars in cities while the Himalayan regions face real climate-related threats such as glacier bursts and avalanches. He vowed to work directly with local climbers to implement effective conservation measures.

Sherpa concluded by emphasizing that mountain tourism is Nepal's strongest global identity, and that the NMA should take a leading role in promoting and safeguarding it.