Kathmandu, November 1:

The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) marked its 34th anniversary organising various programmes here today.

Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Madhav Prasad Ghimire, at the programme, stressed on the need for an effective programme to boost mountaineering tourism saying that Himalayas are the backbone of the tourism sector.

On the occasion, retired Colonel of the Nepal Army Madan Bahadur KC, who has created his own identity by rescuing people in the high mountains, was awarded with the ‘’Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah Yogdan Puraskar’’ along with Gold Icecap and AFP Journalist Kedar Man Singh with the ‘’Dawa Norbu Sherpa Mountaineering Journalism Award’’ along with Rs. 25,000 cash prize for his noteworthy contribution to introduce the mountain regions of Nepal across the world through journalism.

Some 15 active rescuers of the helicopter crash in Ghunsa of Taplejung were given away Rs 10,000 each along with letters of appreciation. Chairman of the NMA Ang Tshering Sherpa said a Mountaineering Tourism Conference will be organised in December 11 and 12 to promote mountaineering tourism and Nepal-Japan Nangpai Gosum Expedition’’ on the occasion of the Golden jubilee of the establishment of Nepal-Japan Diplomatic Relations.

General Secretary of the Association and awardees duo KC and Singh expressed their views about effective protection and promotion of the mountains. Another report

said some 16 mountaineers of the ‘’International Ama Dablam Expedition-2006 I & II’’ have successfully climbed Ama Dablam (6812 m).