KATHMANDU, MAY 29
The 73rd International Sagarmatha Day is being observed across the country today with various programmes highlighting mountain tourism, environmental conservation and safe mountaineering.
The day is commemorated every year on May 29 to mark the first successful ascent of Mt Everest by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953.
Recognised as a symbol of Nepal's national pride, tourism potential and global identity, Mt Everest continues to play a significant role in the country's economy, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings through mountain tourism.
Government agencies, tourism entrepreneurs, mountaineering organisations and local bodies have organised awareness programmes focusing on sustainable mountain tourism, climber safety and environmental protection.
Stakeholders have also stressed the need to prioritise mountain conservation, citing growing impacts of climate change in the Himalayan region.