Kathmandu, May 9:

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation today decided to observe May 29 as the International Mount Everest Day to commemorate the first ascension of the peak on the day in 1953. This is the first time the day is going to be celebrated as an international event.

The decision was taken in a meeting attended by the officials of the ministry, Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

“The day would be celebrated in memory of the first conquerors of the peak, Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgy,” said Ang Chherign Sherpa, the chairman of NMA.

The day would be observed with screening of film related to mountains, photo exhibition and other cultural shows, Sherpa said. He added that dozens of internationally noted summiteers will arrive in the capital city to celebrate the Everest day.

NMA chairman Sherpa also informed that the government restriction on everest expedition keeping in view the China’s plan to take the Olympic Torch to the summit into ended today.

Over 30 teams are already at the Everest base camp to climb the world’s tallest mountain this season.