KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 29
The Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) celebrated its 19th National Mountain Guide Day on Saturday bringing various tourism and mountaineering stakeholders under one roof.
Welcoming all on the occasion, the Director General of the Department of Tourism (DoT), Narayan Prasad Regmi thanked the private sector for making significant contributions to the mountaineering sector. He also mentioned that the DoT and the Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) are working closely with the private sector further to enhance the tourism sector in the Khumbu region.
Regmi shared that efforts are underway to make tourist destinations more visitor-friendly and that the department supports initiatives to establish a trust for mountaineers.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Nima Nuru Sherpa, highlighted that the goal of both the association and the Nepal Mountain Academy (NMA) is to produce skilled human resources within Nepal. Sherpa requested that the DoT take the initiative to allocate a budget for the necessary training for guides in coordination with the ministry. He emphasized that the government should take steps not only to produce human resources but also to develop international mountain guides. He also noted the cooperation and readiness of the private sector to work alongside the government in developing the tourism sector.
Shiva Prasad Jaishi, the campus chief of Nepal Mountain Academy also mentioned that the academy has been collaborating with the NNMGA for a long time, conducting high-altitude and other specialized activities. He shared that recently, 15 students from their master's program successfully climbed Lobuche Peak in collaboration with the NNMGA. He also stated, "Since our objectives are aligned, we must move forward together."
NNMGA President Tul Singh Gurung asked the stakeholders to join hands for the betterment of the adventure tourism industry. "NNMGA is committed to expanding its activities to produce qualified mountain guides in the country," he said.
Certificates were awarded to the aspiring guides of the 2023/2024 batch, and special record holders at the event along with the Immediate past president of NNMGA Ang Norbu Sherpa.
Certificates were awarded to the first ascent team of Mt Patrasi including Vinayak Jaya Malla, Pasang Rinzee Sherpa. On the occasion IFMGA guide Pasang Kidar Sherpa was honoured for establishing a new climbing route on Beding Go peak while Pemba Rita Sherpa was felicitated for his first ascent on Ganchenpo peak. Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, Dawa Yangzum Sherpa, and Dawa Gyalje Sherpa were felicitated for their completion of 14 peak summits. Also, Pemba Gele Sherpa, Prakash Sherpa, Chhiring Sherpa, and Kusang Sherpa were honoured for their search and rescue operation in Langtang back in November.
