Rt. Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Puspa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” has assured the establishment of a welfare fund for mountaineers. Addressing the formal event organized today in Kathmandu to celebrate the 71st International Sagarmatha Day, Rt. Honorable Prime Minister Dahal said the necessary action will be taken after consulting with the Ministry of Finance.

“I am deeply committed to addressing the concerns raised here for the betterment of mountaineers' lives. After consulting with the Ministry of Finance, I will take immediate steps to establish a welfare fund for mountaineers and others involved in mountaineering activities,” stated the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that he feels the mountaineers are like his own family. “My own family members, including my son Prakash (Dahal) and daughter-in-law Bina (Magar), have summited Mount Everest. Thus, I consider mountaineers as my own family,” he added. “It gives me immense pleasure to support and work in favor of mountaineers.” Prime Minister Dahal was seen emotional as he spoke about his late son, Mr. Prakash Dahal, who had also summited Mount Everest.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the increasing risks posed by global warming and rising temperatures to mountains, mountain communities, and people living in the Himalayan downstream regions. He also noted that the government has intensified the demand for compensatory funds in various international forums.

Before his address, PM Dahal had inaugurated the formal event of the 71st International Mount Everest Day. Under the leadership of the government and the organization of all the tourism organizations of Nepal, the 71st International Sagarmatha Day is being celebrated today with various programs. A main organizing committee was formed under the leadership of Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), Mr. Hit Bahadur Tamang, with the NMA serving as Member Secretary of the committee.

Honorable Minister Tamang endorsed Prime Minister Dahal’s commitment to establishing a welfare fund for mountaineers.

“The Prime Minister himself, as head of the government, is positive about establishing the welfare fund for mountaineers. As the departmental minister, I will also initiate the proposal for the welfare fund,” Minister Tamang clarified. He also mentioned that the ministry is in the process of amending various existing laws and bylaws to ensure they are current and relevant.

Honorable Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Mr. Hikmat Kumar Karki, emphasized the need for a strong regulatory mechanism to combat mountain pollution. “Our mountains are becoming increasingly crowded and polluted. To mitigate pollution, we could rest certain mountains for specific periods or implement rules requiring climbers to summit other 8000-meter peaks before attempting Mount Everest,” Chief Minister Karki suggested. “This will not only reduce mountain pollution but also provide climbers opportunities to summit other significant peaks.”

Secretary of the Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dr. Ganesh Prasad Pandeya highlighted the urgent need to combat global warming and its adverse effects.

Senior Vice President of the NMA, Mr. Thakur Raj Pandey, and renowned Everest summiteer Mr. Pasang Dendi Sherpa, had urged the government to establish the welfare fund. Mr. Pandey also called on the Prime Minister to eliminate unnecessary taxes in the tourism sector.

On the occasion, the government honored various climbers with various awards and presented Letters of Appreciation to Everest summiteers.

International Sagarmatha Puraskar-2024

Mr. Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa

Tenzing Hilary Puraskar-2024

Mr. Pema Tshering Sherpa

Colonel Sunil Singh Rathor

Ms. Furdiki Sherpa

Ms. Nima Doma Sherpa

Posthumous Award

Late Baburam Acharya

Other Everest Summiteers

Mr. Kami Rita Sherpa

Ms. Phunjo Jhangmu Lama

Ms. Nangsal Chhyoton Lama

Mr. Dawa Finjok Sherpa

Mr. Purushottam Nepali, Nepal Police

Mr. Suraj Poudel, APF

Mr. Narendra Kunwar, Tourist Police

Mr. Kanchan Thapa, APF

Major Gajendra Deuba

Captain Dipendra Singh Khatri

Ms. OmniKa Dangol

Mr. Tsering Pemba Sherpa

Mr. Pastenji Sherpa

Mr. Dawa Tenjen Sherpa

Mr. Khimlal Gautam

Leader of rope fixing of Mount Everest