Pokhara, June 3

Annapurna Expedition Day was marked today at Lwang of northern Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality, Kaski, on the occasion of completion of 68 years of the first ascent of Mt Annapurna.

“Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal, Western Regional Association, Pokhara; and Nepal Mountaineering Association, Annapurna chapter; jointly observed the day with a special function in Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality today,” said Shyam Krishna Thapa, the programme coordinator.

The programme was promoted by Nepal Tourism Board and supported by Annapurna Conservation Area Project. The day is observed on June 3 every year.

French nationals Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal had scaled Mt Annapurna (8,091 m)  for the first time on June 3, 1950. It was the first time that a mountain above 8,000 metre was scaled in the history of mountaineering while the tallest peak Mt Everest was scaled on May 29, 1953, three years later.

TAAN Western Regional Association, Pokhara, Chairperson Deepak Raj Adhikari said they  held the programme in the village thinking that the locals would benefit from it.

Basu Dev Tripathi, a former member of Nepal Tourism Board and member of ‘Think Tank’ formed by the Ministry of Tourism, said that there were abundant possibilities for tourism development in Lwang village. “It has breathtaking views with scenic beauty and the opening of home stays will increase the flow of tourists in the locality,” he added.

NMA Annapurna chapter Chairperson Krishna Kafle said people of Province 4 could benefit more if they promoted tourism.

Earlier,  on the eve of the Expedition Day, tree plantation programme was also organised in the area with the help of TAAN, Western Regional Association, Pokhara; and Nepal Mountaineering Association Annapurna chapter.

A total of 12 houses have been providing home stay service to tourists at Lwang for the past few years, according to Lwang Community Home Stay Secretary Tham Bahadur Chhantyal.