Congregation of Ms. Junko Tabei- 7 Dec, 2016

NMA organized a congregation on the 49th day of passing away of Ms. Junko Tabei- the first woman to climb Mt. Everest on 7 Dec at Nepal Tourism Board. Shakar Prasad Adhikari-Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr. Shinya Machita, DCM, Embassy of Japan,Yankila Sherpa- Chief Adviser and former Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, representatives of travel related organizations, government officials were present at the program. The program was chaired by NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa and it observed a minute silence in the memory of Ms. Junko Tabei. The program focused on the contribution of Junko Tabei and how her ascent on Everest contributed for the development of mountain tourism in Nepal.

Urmila: My Memory My Power wins first prize in KIMFF- 12 Dec, 2016

The film named Urmila: My Memory My Power wins first prize in KIMFF wins the first prize in Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival organized from 8-12 Dec at Kumari Hall, Kathmandu. NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa handed over the prize money of US$ 1500 to the film makers in the special program organized in Kathmandu. The prize money was sponsored by NMA. ( Photo courtesy: Prabin Koirala, Nagarik)

3rd Mountain Festival -2073 concluded

Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) organized "3rd Mountain Festival" from 10-11 December, 2016 at International Mountain Museum (IMM), Gharipatan Pokhara. It is held annually to observe the International Mountain Day on 11th December as designated by The United Nations General Assembly and has been celebrating it since 2003. This year's theme for the International Mountain Day was "Mountain Cultures: celebrating diversity and strengthening identity".

The main objectives of the event were to:

• enhance the livelihoods of mountain communities by promoting mountain products,
• protect the vulnerable mountain environment, and
• Promote mountaineering, mountain culture & sports.

Hon'ble Population & Environment Minister, Mr. Jaya Deep Joshi inaugurated the festival by watering on the plant. Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mr. Shankar Adhikari, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Nepal Ms. W. Swarnalatha Perera, & Regional Program Coordinator of ICIMOD Dr. Rajan Kotru were also present in the inauguration program of Mountain Festival on 10th December 2016.

In the festival, there were about 40 stalls focused on technology and innovations for conservation of energy, mountaineering environment, food of different ethnic groups, products of mountaineering area. Side events such as Archery and Chhello were also conducted. More than 17000 people observed the festival in two days.

National Open Bouldering completion organized

On the occasion of 3rd Mountain Festival, National Open Bouldering Competition was organized in the newly built wall in the International Mountain Museum premises on 10 & 11 Dec 2016. Mr. Shankar Adhikari- Secretary for Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and , Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Nepal Ms. W. Swarnalatha Perera distributed certificates and cash prizes to the winners of the competition.

Winners of the competition were as follows

Male Category:

• Sandeep Kumar Maity
• Dave Smith
• Pranil Man Shrestha

Female Category:

• Pancha Maya Tamang
• Swastika Chaudhary
• Rusha Pradhan

Courtesy visit of Aswin Shrestha-18 Dec, 2016

Honorary Consular of Slovenia to Nepal Aswin Shrestha paid courtesy visit to NMA on 18 Dec 2016. During the visit, the discussion focused on mountaineering courses, renovation of Manang Mountaineering School and other bilateral issues of NMA and Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS). Mr. Shrestha is actively involved in the promotion of Nepal's mountain tourism in Slovenia. NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa shared knowledge on the development of human resource for mountain tourism in Nepal due to the cooperation of PZS. Mr. Shrestha also expressed his readiness to cooperate with NMA and PZS for the exchange of cooperation in mountaineering field.

25th Advance Mountaineering Course

NMA's 25th Advance Mountaineering Course started in Kathmandu from 17 Dec 2016 and I it will complete on 30 Jan 2017. 24 Trainees are participating in this year's training program. Lam Babu Sherpa is the coordinator for the training and Tshering Pandey Bhote is the chief instructor for the training. They will leave for Langtang on 8 Jan 201to complete the remaining part of the training and will return on 30 Jan 2017.

NMA President honored with Officer in order of Crown- 19 Dec, 2016

The Ambassador of H M the King of the Belgians H E Mr. Jan Luyks and Mrs. Raka Singh honored NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa and his wife Mrs. Jo Loghhe Sherpa Officer in order of Crown for their special contribution in the rehabilitation program in earthquake affected areas.

First Nepali Women Expedition to Kanchenjunga Expedition 2017

The women expedition led by Maya Sherpa- President, Everest Summiteers' Association with the message of minimization of climate change is planning to climb the world's third highest peak- Mt. Kanchenjunga in coming spring of 2017. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa ( First female instructor) and Dawa Yunzom Sherpa are the members of this expedition team. A press conference was organized on 23 Dec at NMA Secretariat to share information about this expedition.

Successful Completion of 4th IFSC-NMA National Lead Climbing Competition

Nepal Mountaineering Association organized 4th IFSC-NMA National Lead Climbing Competition to promote sport climbing activities in Nepal. The Competition was held on 23 & 24 December 2016 at Astrek Wall, Thamel.

Minister of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr Jeevan Bahadur Shahi was the chief guest for the program. There were total 29 participant among them 22 were male and 7 were female. The result of the program is as follows.

Position Male Winners Female Winners

1st Mr. Hareram Khadka Ms. Panchamaya Tamang
2nd Mr. Pemba Galjen Sherpa Ms. Rusha Pradhan
3rd Mr . Chanit Tamang Ms. Venisha Rajbahak
4th Mr. Sangam K.C Ms. Swastika Chaudhary
5th Mr. Prakash Gurung Ms. Sushma Chaudhary
6th Mr. Mingma Chhiri Sherpa Ms. Luckmee Taman

11th Annual National Mountain Guide Day observed- 28 Dec

Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) organized a special program to mark 11th Annual National Mountain Guide day on 28 Dec 2016. President of NMA Ang Tshering Sherpa was chief guest for the program. Certificate of completion of mountain guide was also given to 05 participants and Nepal has now 42 mountain guide certified by International Federation of Mountain Guide Association (IFMGA). Nepal is the second nation after Japan in Asia to get recognition from IFMGA. NNMGA also announced that the general assembly of IFMGA will be organized in Nepal from 28 Nov - 02 Dec 2017.