Climbers, journos feted on 52nd NMA Day

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 2: The 52nd Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) Day has been marked in Kathmandu on Saturday.

On the occasion, three climbers and journalists were honoured with awards. 

Ramkrishna Lamichhane, newly appointed Director General of the Department of Tourism (DoT), along with NMA President Fur Gelje Sherpa, hoisted the flags of Nepal and NMA.

Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, who made history by climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres 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 Dr. 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 honoured 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 Rs. 20,000.

NMA's Account Assistant Pramila Sigdel was recognised as the best staff for the fiscal year 2081/082, receiving a Rs. 10,000 cash prize.

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

Inaugurating the event, DG Lamichhane expressed his full support for NMA and its efforts to advance Nepal's mountain tourism. 

"I am fully aware of the NMA’s contributions to Nepal’s mountain tourism," said Lamichhane. "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 organisation during the amendment of the Tourism Act."

NMA President Sherpa shared plans approved by the 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM).

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.