KATHMANDU: A young tourism entrepreneur from the Makalu region has been awarded one of the highest honours from the Russian mountaineering community. Managing Director of the Seven Summit Adventure Pvt Ltd Mingma Gelu Sherpa, 42, who has an extensive experience of more than 20 years in mountaineering tourism has been honoured with the award for his contributions in promoting friendly relations and cooperation between Russia and Nepal. Amidst a function in Moscow today, the Russian Mountaineering Federation awarded Sherpa with the prestigious mountaineering award. Sherpa has supported scores of Russian climbers to scale different peaks including Mt Everest. Sherpa played a significant role in promoting mountain tourism in the world market as well as to strengthening people to people relations between the two countries, the organiser said. Born in Makalu region of Sankhuwasabha district, Sherpa along with Seven Summits Club has been running exclusive expeditions on Mt Everest from Tibet side every year. One of the board directors of Altitude Air Pvt Ltd, Sherpa has also scaled Mt Everest seven times. “I feel very proud to be the first Nepali to receive the highest Russian mountaineering award,” Sherpa reacted.