52nd NMA Day Celebrated

Kathmandu, Npv.1: The 52nd Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) Day has been celebrated today at the NMA Secretariat in Nagpokhari, Naxal, Kathmandu, with a variety of activities.

Addressing the program organized on the occasion of the NMA annual day, newly appointed Director General (DG) of the Department of Tourism (DoT) Ramkrishna Lamichhane said, "I am fully aware of the NMA’s contributions to Nepal’s mountain tourism. Promotion of Nepal’s mountain tourism is impossible without the NMA’s support. I will personally work towards ensuring that NMA gets the legal status of a government organization during the amendment of the Tourism Act."

During the event, three climbers and journalists were honored with prestigious awards. Chief Guest DG Lamichhane, along with NMA President Fur Gelje Sherpa, hoisted the flags of Nepal and NMA and cut the celebration cake.

Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, who made history by climbing all 14 peaks above 8000 meters without using a down feather outfit, received the Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah Adventure Award. 

Siddhi Bahadur Tamang, who set the world record for summiting Mount K2–the second highest peak in the world–six times, was presented with the Harka Gurung Mountaineering Award.

Additionally, Sub Inspector  Kunjang Tshopel Sherpa of the Nepal Police, who became the first female officer in Nepal to summit Mount Everest, was honored with the Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Adventurous Women Mountaineer Award. All awardees were presented with gold-plated medals.

Journalists Suraj Kunwar and Pawan Phuyal were awarded the Dawa Norbu Mountain Journalism Award, each receiving a cash prize of 20,000 rupees.

The NMA has been honoring record-holding climbers, mountain tourism related organizations, journalists, and staff each year on its anniversary with awards named after notable figures in the organization.

Damber Parajuli, President of the Expedition Operators’ Association Nepal (EOA-Nepal) and Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), expressed his willingness to partner with NMA for the development of Nepal's tourism industry.

The 52nd NMA Day was attended by various government officials, NMA members, former executive committee members, current executive board members, and media representatives.