Let us protect mountains: Minister Khadka

Kathmandu, June 2: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has underlined the need to protect mountains, the major source of drinking water and energy. He insisted on the need to draw global attention to the urgency of mitigating the impacts of climate change on the mountain range. 

Talking after observing the RSS Photo Exhibition organised by the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) on the occasion of the 18th Republic Day, he said the direct impacts of climate change are visible on the mountains. 

Now the scale of snowfall has reduced. Some glaciers are at the constant risk of outburst, he said, stating that the government has launched study-based efforts to protect them.

As he said, the exhibition themed "Mountain Tourism: Our Pride, Our Identity" gave information about the country's mountain tourism and the nature of the peaks. 

On the occasion, RSS Executive Chair Dharmendra Jha welcomed the Minister to the RSS complex and apprised him that the exhibition was organised to mark the 18th Republic Day.

Photo exhibition has highlighted the potential of mountain tourism: Secretary Bhattarai

Similarly, observing the photo exhibition earlier today, CPN (UML) Secretary Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai remarked that the photos included in the exhibition highlighted the potential of mountain tourism in Nepal.

He stated that the 96 photographs displayed at the exhibition highlight the possibilities of mountain tourism.

"RSS has been carrying out creative works for some years, and I am very happy. This time, it has highlighted the potential of mountain tourism. Ninety-six photos, including photos depicting the Kanchenjunga mountain in the east to Mt Api and Saipal of Darchula, feature in the exhibition, and it was pleasing to see photos of Mount Everest, Annapurna, Machhapuchchhre, the waterfalls of Rukum, Sisne Himal, and various other mountains," he added.

The UML Secretary also suggested publishing a compilation of the photos on display with additional information about the mountains, trekking routes, major mountain tourism destinations, etc. (RSS)