KATHMANDU, MARCH 24 Renowned Nepali mountaineer Phurba Tenjing Sherpa has been awarded honorary membership by the Rotary Club of New York Queens in recognition of his achievements in extreme mountaineering and social impact. Sherpa received the honour during a special event in New York, where he was accompanied by his wife, Rojita Buddhacharya. As part of the ceremony, he presented the club's official flag and a photograph of himself hoisting it atop Mt Everest on May 18 last year. A leading high-altitude climber, Sherpa has summited Mt Everest 17 times and holds three Guinness World Records. His mountaineering career includes several landmark expeditions, including guiding climbers from diverse and underrepresented groups such as women teams, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and individuals from varied national backgrounds. He has also been an advocate for climate awareness, highlighting the impacts of climate change in the Himalayan region, including glacial melt and rising environmental risks. Rotary Club President Karma Lama, Assistant District Governor Michael Ashkenazy, and Vice President Pasang Sherpa jointly conferred the honorary membership. Sherpa currently serves as a goodwill ambassador for We Will Rise Foundation Nepal and Italy's Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.