Phidim, May 23

Sushil Serma Limbu of Mangjabung, Panchthar, has become the first male from the Limbu community and Panchthar district as to scale Mt Everest. He stepped atop the world’s tallest peak at 8:53am on Saturday.

Prior to this, Junita Sambahamfe of Terhathum had set the record by becoming the first climber from the Kirant Limbu community to reach atop Everest.

She had achieved the feat on August 16, 2009.

Having quit his job in the army about six years ago, Serma climbed the 6,200 metres high Mt Lamtang of Rasuwa and Island Peak (6,189 metres) of Solukhumbu, besides trekking from Nepal’s lowest place Kechanakalan of Jhapa to Kanchanjungha base camp in Taplejung.

After his two failed attempts due to the avalanche and April 25, 2015 earthquake, Serma had headed for Everest on April 1.

He shared his motive behind his ascent, saying, “As our country and the entire world is beset with many problems these days, through my ascent I wanted to spread the message of world peace, protection of human rights, religious tolerance and constitution implementation.”

Serma has submitted a report of having scaled the tallest peak from its southern flank to the Tourism Ministry and Tourism Board.

Tourism Board has said it will issue a certificate to Serma in a week.