NEPAL: Mountaineering Tourism Conference Begins

A two-day mountaineering tourism conference began in Kathmandu today, coinciding with the diamond jubilee of the first ascent of Mt Makalu and Mt Kanchenjunga.

The conference jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Union of Asian Alpine and ISET- Nepal discussed the impact earthquakes last year as well as climate change on mountaineering tourism.

The first ascent of Mt Makalu was made on May 15, 1955, while Kanchenjunga Peak was summitted on May 25 the same year.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the conference, under-secretary at the tourism ministry Dhundhi Ghimire, Union of Asian Alpine’s Chair Dr Lee In-jeung, Union of International Alpine’s representative Sophi Gerald and NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa said promotion of mountaineering tourism could be a good source of income for the country.

On the occasion of the diamond jubilee of the first ascent of Mt Makalu (8,486 metres), special celebrations will be held in Sankhuwasabha on November 21 and in Taplejung on November 22. President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will attend the celebrations.