Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Khadak Prasad Paudel has said that Mount Everest is not only a mountain but also a symbol of Nepal’s identity and pride.
Speaking at a program on the occasion of the International Sagarmatha Day in Kathmandu on Friday, Paudel said climbing Everest is not merely a physical challenge but also a symbol of courage. “Mountains and journeys hold great importance in all religions around the world. Climbing mountains also means counting one’s own breaths and entering a state of meditation,” he added.
Praising the achievements of record-holding climbers, including Kami Rita Sherpa and Lhakpa Sherpa, he said Kami Rita’s Everest climbing record is a matter of pride for humanity.
He also said mountains are the main foundation of Nepal’s tourism industry and prosperity. Likewise, he added that national dignity and economic development are possible only through the conservation and promotion of these mountains.
Referring to the growing impacts of climate change, he said that melting snow and rising risks from glacial lakes are directly affecting settlements and drinking water sources in downstream areas. “Protecting the mountains is not only Nepal’s responsibility but also a duty of the global community,” he added.
The International Sagarmatha Day is celebrated every year on May 29 to commemorate the first ascent of Mt Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary in 1053.
Similarly, tourism secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula expressed confidence that timely amendments to tourism-related laws would help resolve many issues in the mountaineering sector.
Also speaking on the occasion, Director General of the Department of Tourism Ram Krishna Lamichhane said growing foreign interest in climbing Nepal’s mountains has led the government to place greater emphasis on coordination and facilitation for climbers. “The government will make efforts to expand tourism development to areas in Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces in the future,” he added.
This year, 496 people obtained permits to climb Mount Everest alone, he said, adding that mountaineering contributes not only to state revenue but also to the country’s economy, diplomacy, and social development.
President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, Phur Gyalzen Sherpa, said that protecting the mountains, which represent the country’s identity and policy direction, should be everyone’s responsibility.
During the program, the International Everest Climbing Award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 100,000, was presented to climber Pasang Dawa Sherpa for successfully climbing Everest 31 times. Similarly, the Tenzing-Hillary Award was presented to helicopter pilot Priya Adhikari. The award carries a purse of Rs 50,000.
Similarly, climber Tenzing David Sherpa received the Tenzing-Hillary Record Achievement Award, which carries a purse of Rs 50,000. Purnima Shrestha, who set a record by climbing Everest three times in a single season last year, was honoured with Rs 50,000 in cash. Researcher Dr Bishal Adhikari, recognized for his study and research on mountains, was also honoured with Rs 50,000 in cash.
Earlier, a colorful procession of mountain climbers, government officials and tourism entrepreneurs was taken out from Thamel on Friday morning.
