The Rt. Honourable Vice President of Nepal Mr. Nanda Bahadur Pun today grandly inaugurated the 7th Mountain Festival amid a function organised at International Mountain Museum (IMM) premises. 

The Rt. Honourable Vice President also wished for the successful completion of the event. The festival organised by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) will conclude tomorrow. 

‘‘NMA is doing unparalleled work in conserving mountain environments and promoting Mountain Tourism’’, Rt. Honourable VP said, ‘‘This festival also has its importance in making people aware of mountain and mountain environment conservation. I would like to extend my gratitude to NMA for organising such a program and wish this festival to be success.’’

Citing the COVID-19 effects in the tourism Rt. Honourable Vice President Mr. Pun asked the Government to assign NMA with more responsibility to promote Nepal’s mountain tourism. ‘‘NMA is asking the Government of Nepal for permission to promote more mountains in Nepal. This will surely benefit the whole nation. Therefore, I would like to recommend the Government of Nepal to allow NMA with their request.,’’ the Rt. Honourable Pun added, ‘‘I have heard that we have more than 8 eight-thousanders in Nepal. However, only 8 of them have been internationally approved. The Government of Nepal should try to convince all the international communities and approve all our eight-thousanders. The government of Nepal should entrust NMA for this job.’’

Rt Honourable Vice President Mr. Pun also stressed on the importance of conserving the mountain environment. ‘‘We are experiencing the effects of global warming. We should work together to mitigate the effects of such natural calamities. Otherwise, it costs us dearly,’’ Rt. Honourable VP stated.

On the occasion, Rt. Honourable VP also felicitated various record holder climbers with outstanding achievement Medal and letter of appreciation. 

NMA had awarded Mr. Kami Rita Sherpa and Mr. Sanu Sherpa with NMA outstanding achievement medals in men’s category and Mrs. Nimi Sherpa, Mrs. Lhakpa Futi Sherpa, Ms. Phunjo Jhangmu Lama and Ms. Purnima Sherpa in the women's category for their unmatched records and contribution.

Mr. Kami Rita holds the record of most successful ascent of Mt. Everest. He is the first and only man to successfully scale Mt. Everest 26 times and Mr. Sanu is the first and only man to have successfully completed the double ascent of all the 14 eight-thousanders. Mrs. Nimi and Mrs. Lhakpa Futi are Nepal’s first batch’s women climbers.

Ms. Phunjo is the fastest Nepali woman to have successfully summit Mt.  Everest and Ms. Purnima Shrestha is the first Nepali women photographer to have successfully summited more eight-thousander of the world.  

The first Nepali couple to have successfully summited Mt. Everest Mr. Ang Dawa Sherpa and Mrs. Pasang Phuti Sherpa, first widow Mt. Everest summiteers Mrs. Nima Doma Sherpa and Ms. Furdiki Sherpa, first female Mt. Everest climber from Hyolmo community Ms.  Kanchhi Dolma Hyomo and first female Mt. Everest submitter from Bhote community Ms. Nisha Bhote were also felicitated with letters of appreciation for their unique achievement in expedition. 

Rt. Honourable Vice President Mr. Pun also handed over the Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah award to Mingma Gelu Sherpa and Dr. Harka Gurung Award to Ngagyalyen Sherpa. NMA has been awarding various personalities with these awards every year on the basis of their contribution in mountain tourism and mountain environment conservation. 

The inauguration ceremony of the festival was graced by the Honourable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) Mr. Jeewan Ram Shrestha, Secretary of MoCTCA Mr. Suresh Adhikari and other dignitaries of Nepali tourism industry. 

A two-day festival will showcase mountain products, screens documentaries, exhibits various sports i.e., Chhelo (stone throwing), Archery, bouldering and organises various sessions in various topics in the presence of students, tourism entrepreneurs and academicians.