Himalayan Host Countries Meet, Himalayan Conference, Mt. Cho-oyu Diamond Jubilee Celebration and Mountain Festival organized on the occasion of International Mountain Day (10 to 12 December 2014)
On the occasion of International Mountain Day, Nepal Mountaineering Association organized Himalayan Host Countries meet, Himalayan Conference, Mt. Cho-oyu Diamond Jubilee, and Mountain festival. These programs were celebrated on 10^th-12^th December 2014 at International Mountain Museum, Pokhara. Under the chairmanship of Secretary for Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Suresh Man Shrestha, main organizing committee was formed.

Inaugural Day- 10 Dec
Hon'ble Prime Minster Mr. Sushil Koirala inaugurated Himalayan Host Countries Meet, Himalayan Conference, Mt. Cho-oyu Diamond Jubilee Celebration and Mountain Festival in the special program organized at the premises of IMM on 10 Dec. Representatives of different travel related organizations, distinguished delegates, renowned Nepalese and foreign Cho-oyu Mountaineers were present in the program.

After the welcome speech of Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa, President of Nepal Mountaineering Association chief guest Hon'ble Prime Minister inaugurated the occasion by watering on the plants. This was followed by distribution of certificate to Mr. Ang Rita Sherpa, Mr. Wang Young Feng, Mr. Arnold Coster and Ms. Maya Sherpa by Hon'ble Prime Minster Mr. Sushil Koirala for their participation on the program. On the same occasion, Government of Nepal handed over Rs. 5,00,000/- (Five Lakhs) check to support the families of 16 deceased mountaineers who lost their life in the avalanches on Mt. Everest on 18^th April 2014. The chief guest also released NMA's special publication; Nepal Parbat published to mark Mt. Cho-oyu Diamond Jubilee celebration.

Past President of Union of International Alpine Association (UIAA) and Chairman of Mountaineering Expedition Commission, Pierre Humblet and President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal Mr. Ramesh Dhamala expressed their views on the same occasion.

After the inauguration program, NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa chairede Himalayan Host Countries Meet participated by the delegates of Nepal, India and China. Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Suresh Man Shrestha, Director General Department of Tourism Tulasi Prasad Gautam, Charimand of Mountaineering Expedition Commission, Pierre Humblet and President of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal Mr. Ramesh Dhamala were also present in the meeting. There was huge discussion among the participants on the following agendas.

• Climbing Regulation of the Himalayan host countries 
• Verification on peaks of over 8000 meters
• Impact of Climate Change on Himalayan livelihood
• Common concern of Himalayan Host countries
• Way forward for common understanding

11 Dec - Himalayan Conference
Himalayan Conference with the theme "Common Prosperity of Himalayan Community" was organinzed at IMM on the second day of the program. The conference was divided in two sessions and the first season was chaired by Mr. Suresth Man Shrestha, Secretary for Ministry of Tourism.

1. Representative from ICIMOD Dr. Rucha Ghate, Senior Governance Specialist delivered presentation on the Theme "Common Prosperity of Himalayan Community"

2. Mr. Pierre Humblet, President of Mountaineering Commission UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation) speak on Himalayan Mountaineering for Community prosperity.

The second Season was chaired by Mr. Tulsi Prasad Gautam, DG of Tourism Department in which discussion was held on the following topics.

1. Dr Ganesh Gurung delivered on the development and impact of tourism activity on Himalayan communities.

2. Mr Kushal Gurung  delivered on available Innovation, knowledge, and technology for the prosperity of mountain community.

Closing Ceremony -12 Dec
On the final day of the program, closing ceremony was organized with the distribution of letter of appreciation to all the participants of the programs. Different culture programs were also performed in the same program. NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa and Chairman of Mountaineering Expedition Commission, Pierre Humblet were present in the closing ceremony.

1st International Mountain Festival
Mountains are a great source for natural resources but also extremely vulnerable to current global challenges. Climate change, indiscriminate deforestation, land degradation and natural disasters adversely impact the life of mountain populations. The Annual Mountain Festival proposes to be a venue to address these issues and create space to develop resources for sound environmental and economically viable opportunities, ultimately improving the living standard of mountain communities. Following activities were carried out during the festival period.

• Display/Exhibition Stalls @ IMM for Development partners and NGO/INGOs for their actions on Innovation/ Technology / Knowledge to offer Mountain Community for their livelihood and prosperity
• Mountain based Indigenous Sports Display and participations for Fun as:
  • Archery
  • Chelo (Stone)
  • Mountain Biking Event and Competition (mountain Bike association)
  • Wall Climbing Participation @IMM
  • Mountain Food Festivals
  • Cultural performances
  • Mountain Musical Instrument performances
  • Sales counter for mountain produced articles and commodity
  • Mountaineering Film Screening (Coordinated by Rajesh)

Click here to view photos of 1st International Mountain Festival

KIMFF concluded- 15 Dec
NMA sponsored the first prize amounting US$ 1500 for the documentary titled Days of Tarap ( Les Jours de Tarap), Rediscovering Dolpo's Tarap Valley Dir:Herve Tiberghien securing first position in Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF, 2014) organized from 11 to 15 December 2014.

24th Advance Mountaineering Training
NMA's regular annual program "24th Advance Mountaineering Training" started from 15 December 2014 in Kathmandu. 21 trainees are participating in this year's training program. Pasang Tenzing Sherpa is the coordinator for the training where as Tendi Sherpa is the chief instructor for the training. The trainees are going to leave Kathmandu 8 Jan for Langtang for further training and will return Kathmandu on 30 Jan.

General Membership Renew
NMA published a notice with the request to all the NMA General Members to renew their membership before 30th Poush 2071.

Sushmita Maskey given warm welcome - 19 Dec
After successfully climbing the highest mountains of seven continents i.e Seven Summits, Sushmita Maskey returned on 19 Dec and she was given warm welcome at Tribhuvan International Airport. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) coordinated for the welcome program at Tribhuvan International Airport followed by press conference at Nepal Tourism Board. Hon'ble Member of Constituent Assembly Nabin Raj Joshi was the chief guest for the program.  During the program, Ms. Maskey shared her experience of her journey and expressed her gratefulness to all the concerned for the great support extended to her to accomplish her objective. Director General Tulasi Prasad Gautam congratulated Ms. Maskey for her historic achievement and also mentioned that she is the source of inspiration to all the Nepalese youth. On behalf of Nepal Mountaineering Association, President Ang Tshering Sherpa expressed his thankfulness for giving an opportunity to NMA to organize the welcome program. The chief guest Nabin Raj Joshi appreciated the bravery achievement of Nepalese women and mentioned that it is the shower of inspiration not for women, but for the whole nation.

Bikram Pandey nominated Honorary Membership for IMF
The 50th meeting of Indian Mountaineering Federation has approved to confer its "Honorary Membership" to NMA Advisor Mr. Bikram Pandey.

3rd IFSC-NMA National Open Climbing Competition (24 & 25 December)
Nepal Mountaineering Association organized IFSC-NMA National Open Climbing Competition Lead(M & W) to promote sport climbing activities in Nepal. The competition was the third edition IFSC-NMA National Open Climbing Competition held on 24 & 25 December 2014 at Nepal Himalayan Adventure Tour and Training Center, Balaju Industrial Area. 

The chief adviser of NMA and Former State Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ms. Yankila Sherpa was the chief guest of the final program of Wednesday. In the competition program, there were 19 male participants and 8 female participants. Result of the program is as follows:

Position	Male Winners	Female Winners
1st	Mr. Niraj Karki	Ms. Pancha Maya Tamang
2nd	Mr. Pranil Man Shrestha	Ms. Mira Rai
3rd	Mr. Sangam K.C	Ms. Asha Kumari Singh
4th	Mr. Dhurba Bista	Ms. Samjhana Bishankhe
5th	Mr. Chhiring Sherpa	Ms. Pratigya Basnet
6th	Mr. Saman Shrestha	Ms. Ang Chhutin Sherp

Click here to view photos of 3rd IFSC - NMA National Open Climbing Competition