POKHARA: The third Mountain Festival has kicked off at International Mountain Museum in Pokhara on Saturday.

Minister for Population and Environment Jayadev Joshi inaugurated the two-day event being organised by the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

According to NMA Annapurna Chapter Secretary Sheshkanta Sharma, the festival is aimed at promoting mountain tourism. “There are a lot of people who still live in the mountains. This festival aims at promoting the exchange of their skills, technology and culture,” he said. The two-day festival features recreational activities such as rock climbing competition, cultural dances, and documentaries related to mountains. The NMA organised the festival to mark International Mountain Day.