NMA to host Mountain Festival

By Phadindra Adhikari,Lekhnath, Dec.1: Nepal Mountaineering Association(NMA) is preparing for the upcoming five-day mountain festival.

The festival will take place at the International Mountain Museum in Ratopahira, Pokhara, from  December 8 to 12. 

In previous years, the festival used to be a three-day event. However, considering the celebration of International Mountain Day by the United Nations on December 11, the NMA has extended the festival to five days.

 Festival Director, Jinesh Sindurakar, informed about various programmes to be held during the festival.

One of the highlights of this year's festival is the play titled "Miss Understood Birds”. It is a collaborative effort with Bird 

Conservation Nepal. 

Thakuraj Pandey, the senior Vice-Chairperson of the organising committee, said that the festival aims to explore the possibilities for Nepal to compete in the field of global 

mountain tourism.

The festival will feature documentaries on mountain climbing and mountain life. Films such as "Pasang," "Mountain Men," "Sophie Lavaud," "The Second Summit," "I-Dela Hats," and "Everest Men" will be screened during the festival.

Various mountain climbing achievements will be showcased through different mediums, it is said. 

Nirmala Neupane, the Executive Director of the International Mountain Museum, hoped that the festival would become the backbone of 

tourism promotion.

This year's festival includes a "Tug of War" competition too. Neupane said, "In addition to this, there will be entertaining competitions, zip-lining, duet songs, and more to attract 

the audience."

The festival is expected to encompass various activities, exhibitions, and cultural events, providing an enriching experience for both locals and international visitors.