KATHMANDU: The cabinet will meet high up in the foothills of Mount Everest on December 4 to highlight the impact of global warming on the Himalayas ahead of UN climate talks in Copenhagen. Twenty-six ministers, together with staff, will travel to the town of Gorakshep at an altitude of 5,164 m for the special climate-themed meeting, said Deepak Bohara, Minister for Forest and Soil and Conservation.

Bohara added, “The world should know that our Himalayas are melting fast due to the impact of climate change. We want to draw the world’s attention to the Himalayas.”

“Almost all ministers will attend the meeting,” said Bishnu Rijal, PM’s press advisor.

The ministers will fly to Lukla on December 3 and stay the night there. They will be airlifted to Gorakshep on four choppers.

The meeting was earlier scheduled for November 13 but was put off due to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s ill health.Bohara told The Himalayan Times that the PM would brief about the meeting at Syangboche (3,970m) of Khumjung village in Solukhumbu district.

“The team will first fly to Syangboche, where their clothes, oxygen masks and medicines will be inspected before flying them to Kalapatthar plateau at Gorakshep,” said Suman Pandey, Planning and Operation Coordinator of the event.

According to Pandey, Gorakshep meeting will last for 20 minutes, where the main climate change resolution and other documents will be endorsed. “The idea is not stay there long and return to Syangboche as soon as possible. We will be back to Syangboche before 10.30 am,” added Pandey.

Up to 70 persons, including the ministers, are expected for the event that Nepal Television will telecast live, added Bohara.

More than 15 organisations are directly supporting the event. The Himalayan Rescue Association will take care of the medical expenses. Experienced climbers will be stationed at Gorakshep and Syangboche.

The Nepali delegation team to negotiate the meeting in Copenhagen will be lead by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. PM Nepal will get three minutes time to address the global meeting about the impact of climate change in Nepal.

“It is of great importance to us because it will be helpful to lift the voice of the vulnerable countries like Nepal in the Copenhagen meeting scheduled in (7-18) December,” said Juddha Bahadur Gurung, Member Secretary, National Trust for Nature Conservation, which is coordinating the event.

Agenda

• To decide on climate change resolution for Copenhagen summit

• To declare the area located between Everest and Langtang, spread over 2,035 sq km, considered rich in biodiversity,

Gaurishanker Conservation Area

• To endorse Summiteers’ Summit to Save the Himalaya Campaign slated for December 11 in Copenhagen