NMA’s role in promoting mountain tourism hailed in its 34th AGM

The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) had orgnaised a programme to celebrate its 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday in Kathmandu. Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey inaugurated the event as a chief guest.

On the occasion, Minister Pandey, pledged to address issues raised by the NMA and different professionals during the event.

“I am fully aware of the NMA’s efforts to promote Nepal’s mountain tourism globally. I assure you that the NMA will continue to maintain its current responsibilities and position,” he said.

Minister Pandey also assured that his commitments would be incorporated into the Tourism Act. “We are in the process of amending the existing policies and acts related to this field. We will be fully prepared before the new session of the House begins, and I assure you that all commitments will be included in the new tourism acts,” he added.

Chairperson of Federalism Enablement and National Concerns Committee of the National Assembly, Mr. Sonam Geljen Sherpa, members of Parliament Bhim Acharya, and Rajendra Bajgain, former minister and senior leader of the Nepali Congress, Bal Bahadur KC, Member of Bagmati Province Parliament Yankila Sherpa, and former member of parliament Jeep Tshering Lama also drew attention of the government to entrust the NMA with a greater role, recognizing its efforts to promote Nepal’s mountain tourism.

Vice President of the Nepal Tourism Board, Ram Prasad Sapkota, President of the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOA) Damber Parajuli, and Senior Vice President of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Karma Sherpa also spoke on the occasion.

The NMA had honoured 10 agencies of fiscal year 2080/081 for their high volume contributions to revenue generation through the sale of NMA peak permits. The high volume contributors are Adventure Everest Team Trek & Expedition Pvt. Ltd., Ice Eight Thousand Pvt. Ltd., South Col Adventures Pvt. Ltd., Seven Summit Treks Pvt. Ltd., Satori Adventures Pvt. Ltd., Mera Alpine Treks and Expedition Pvt. Ltd., Fourteen Summits Pvt. Ltd., Nord Extreme Himalaya Pvt., Ltd., Makalu Adventures Pvt. Ltd. and Thamserku Trekking Pvt. Ltd.

The NMA also recognized several dignitaries, staff members, instructors and participants of the Mountain Leader Course (Winter and Summer components) with special honors. The honorees included Sonam Gyalzen Sherpa, Former Acting President, Ranjan Krishna Aryal, convenor of the NMA Task Force formed by the MOCTCA in 2065, Jyoti Adhikari, member of the NMA Task Force formed by the MOCTCA in 2065, Sangay Sherpa, member of the NMA Task Force formed by the MOCTCA in 2065, Satya Narayan Raya, Lifetime Service Award, ShyamTamang, Lifetime Service Award, Jinesh Kaji Sindurakar, Best Staff of 2081 and Nirmala Kumari Neupane, Best Staff of 2081.

During the AGM, the policies, programs, and budget for the fiscal year 2081/082 were approved. In the closed session of the AGM, General Secretary Mr. Mohan Lamsal presented the policy and program for the fiscal year 2081/082, along with the progress report of the fiscal year 2080/081. Treasurer Mr. Mukti Pandey presented the budget for the fiscal year 2081/082 and the audit report of the fiscal year 2080/081.

NMA was established on 1 November 1973 (B.S. 2030 Kartik 16). It is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-political organization working as a national alpine association of Nepal to promote mountain tourism, climbing sports, protect mountain environments and preserve and promote cultural heritage of mountain people. It is the only national alpine club authorized to issue climbing permits for 27 different mountain peaks of Nepal.