Representative of Petzl Foundation- 5 March 2007
NMA hosted a welcome program in honor of Jean Jacques Eleouet, General Secretary of Petzl Foundation and other officials, France on 7 March 2007 at Hotel Hyatt, Boudha. The French team also visited International Mountaineers' Memorial Park, Kakani on the same day. Acting President of NMA Mr. Zimba Zangbu Sherpa gifted them with Nepal Parbat, NMA Calendar and other souvenir items. NMA IInd Vice President Mr. Bhumi Lal Lama, General Secretary Mr. Deebas Bikram Shah, Secretary Mr. Narhari Bhandari, Treasurer Mr. Ang Kaji Sherpa along with others Central Executive Member were present in the program.

Palung Ri Peak- 5 March 2007
The Government of Nepal removed Mt. Palung Ri from the list of Nepalese climbing peaks. According to the report received from the expedition team, the peak is not located inside the border of Nepal and Department of Survey also certifies that the peak is not in the Mahalangur region.

Changes in NMA Office- 6 March 2007
New barrier has been put up in NMA office to control working disturbance for our administration and account section for the first working hours. NMA has also decided to change the curtains in all the rooms of NMA to improve the working environment.

Meeting attended- 9 March 2007
NMA General Secretary Mr. Deebas Bikram Shah attended Twelfth Socially Responsible Business Development Network held on 9 March 2007 at YalaMaya Kendra organized by Socially Responsible Business Development Network. The paper titled Community Based Rural Tourism Development in Nepal was presented and discussed in the program.

Leadership Development Training for Tourism Professionals - 9 March 2007
Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) is organizing Leadership Development for Tourism Professionals from 22-28 April 2007. The training aims to strengthen the capabilities of trekking guides for the development of safe mountain tourism in Nepal. NMA request all the concerned to contact KEEP office for the necessary process to take part in the training. NMA hopes such kind of training will play a pivotal role in upgrading mountaineering and trekking skills of the trekking guides.

Eurocopter ASTAR 350B on Mt. Everest-9 March 2007
The Government of Nepal on a cabinet meeting held on 2 March 2007 decided to adopt the policy of not allowing any helicopter to land on any mountain of Nepal except for the human rescue purposes. The government took this decision on the basis of minutes of Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Union of Alpine Association of Asia (UAAA) and Union of International Alpine Association of Asia (UIAA) held in Singapore 2005 and Canada, October 2006 respectively.

NMA has requested the government to correspond with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other related organization for necessary steps so as to stop the possible act of using the illegal record of landing helicopter on Mt. Everest by the manufacturer. Furthermore, we have also demanded for probe commission on this issue to find the truth of landing on Mt. Everest without the permission of the Government of Nepal so that the stern action can be taken against those involved in this incident directly or indirectly to prevent such act from happening in the future.

NMA expressed gratefulness towards UIAA and UAAA for holding a serious discussion in AGM to prevent such type of irresponsible act in the future.

Amadablam Rope Clearance Program- 21 March 2007
As per the direction of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, NMA has decided to remove old left behind ropes fixed by different expedition teams on Mt. Amadablam under cleaning campaign program. This campaign is named as Amadablam Rope Clearance Program.

Memorandum of Understanding signed - 23 March 2007
NMA signed Memorandum of Understanding with Mt. Everest Summiteers Club, Rolwaling, Dolkha on 23 March 2007. In MoU, NMA has authorized the club to check climbing permit for three climbing peaks in Rolwaling area and also to control illegal climbing. Mt. Chekigo, Mt. Pharchamo and Mt. Ramdung are located in Rolwaling area.

NMA has five representatives in total authorized to check issued permit in different regions.

1. Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC)- Lukla, Namche and Solukhumbu Area

2. Mr. Thile Lama, Yeti Guest House - Langtang area

3. Tourism Entrepreneurs Association Manang (TEAM) - Manang Area

4. Mr. Kami Sherpa - Khumbu Area

5. Mt. Everest Summiteers Club, Rolwaling - Rolwaling Area

Revised statute of NMA- 23 March 2007
The new revised statute of NMA approved in our last Annual General Assembly, has come from the press. All the members are requested to collect one from NMA office.

Scholarship granted - 23 March 2007
Central Secretariat has passed the decision of Welfare Committee to provide scholarship allowance to one of the son of late Saroj Timilsina who passed away in Nangpai Gosum Nepal Japan Friendship Expedition. He was deputed as Liaison Officer of the expedition.

Reconsis trip- 25 March 2007
NMA Treasurer Mr. Ang Kaji Sherpa went to Solukhumbu for a reconsis trip. He inquired about the illegal climbing and other activities of NMA.

30th Anniversary of Koreans on Mt. Everest- 31 March 2007
On the occasion of 30the Anniversary of the Koreans on Sagarmatha, a reception was hosted by Dr. Le In Jeong, the President of Korean Alpine Federation on 31 March 2007 at Hotel Hyatt. On the occasion, NMA President Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa, on behalf of NMA handed over the plaque of appreciation to Dr. Jeong.

Introduction of Mountaineering Gears
This is regular column of e-News to introduce mountain gears to the readers.
 

Climbing Shoe is a piece of foot wear that is specifically designed and worn for Rock Climbing. The shoe is covered with a rubber layer to increase the grip of the foot on a climbing wall or rock face due to friction. Climbing shoes are not suitable for hiking, so outdoor climbers usually carry them to the base of the rock.

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