KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 16
The Um Hong Gil Human Foundation offered its support to the Nepal Forum of Science Journalists for the upcoming Himalayan Climate Bootcamp in the Mt Everest region.
According to UHGHF, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UHGHF and NFSJ has been signed amidst a programme in Kathmandu.
UHGHF Executive Director Captain Um Hong Gil and NFSJ President Rajan Pokhrel signed the MoU in which UHGHF offered USD 2,000 to conduct the Himalayan Climate Bootcamp in the Mt Everest region in April/May, 2024.
Speaking on the occasion, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives Indira Rana Magar said that there was a need to raise issues of climate change which adversely affected the mountain communities.
"NFSJ's efforts to draw global attention about climate change impact in the Everest region are highly commendable," she noted. The Deputy Speaker also thanked the UHGHF and its ED Captain Um Hong Gil for joining hands with NFSJ to build the capacity of science and environment journalists in the region.
Captain Um Hong Gil said that the foundation always wanted to support Nepal's mountain communities which have been adversely affected by the current climate crisis. Terming Nepal as his second home, Captain Um said that NFSJ's climate bootcamp -2024 would help explore the positive messages to the world when it comes to addressing the impact of the climate crisis in the Himalayan region.
Captain Um Hong Gil, an extraordinary Korean mountaineer renowned for being the first person to successfully ascend sixteen mountains exceeding 8,000 meters in height across the world, has upheld a sacred promise to the Himalayan God. His vow was to dedicate his life to humanitarian service if he returned alive from his daring expeditions. Thus far, his commitment to this promise has led to the support of 19 schools across 14 districts, including the establishment of this remarkable hospital and reconstruction of 2 monasteries in Khumbu region and scholarship to many deprived students.
"The fund provided by the UHGHF shall be used exclusively for logistics related to the participation of attendees," NFSJ's program director Chhatra Karki said.
According to Karki, Himalayan Climate Bootcamp (HCBC) will be held in Mt. Everest region, taking science journalists to the frontlines of the climate crisis, to a dizzying height of 5000 meters. The first-of-its-kind project will fill a critical gap in climate change reporting by imparting necessary knowledge and skills to produce evidenced based climate impact stories pertinent to South Asia.
For the second edition of the bootcamp, selected science journalists and multimedia professionals will be taken on a two-week guided trek in the Everest region, till one of the highest villages on the trail, Lobuche and the Everest Base Camp. There will be an opportunity to visit the International Pyramid Lab situated at Lobuche. Interactions with community members including climbers, women, farmers, pastoralists and local entrepreneurs will be instrumental in digging new story ideas.
"The main goal of this unique project is to help journalists working in South Asia understand climate science thoroughly, enhance their capacity to cover climate change accurately, and produce insightful stories of resilience & adaptation across the region."
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by UHGHF advisors including Yeti Air chairman Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa, former minister and disaster risk reduction and management expert Dr Gangalal Tuladhar, industrialists Suhrid Ghimire, Tendi Sherpa and Phinjo Sherpa as well as UHGHF and NFSJ officials among others.
