Celebration of 44th NMA Day- 1 Nov, 2017

Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) celebrated its 44th Anniversary at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on 1st November 2017. Mr.Maheshwor Neupane, Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) was the chief guest of the program and Mr. Dinesh Bhattarai , Director General was the special guest of the program. High level government officials, NMA Executive Board Members, NMA Ex-Advisors, NMA Ex- executive board members, NMA Staffs and representatives from different tourism related organization attended the program.

After the welcome speech by NMA First VP Mr. Deebas Bickram Shah, the chief guest inaugurated the program by watering the plant. The program observed one-minute silence in memory of known and unknown mountaineers demised on mountain during mountaineering. Mr. Shambhu Tamang, Convener of Award Selection Committee mentioned about the criteria and procedure that were followed for the selection of award receivers and announced the name of the award receivers, which are as follows:

1. Late Kumar Khadka Bikram Adventurous Award - Mr. Mingma Sherpa was chosen for being the first Nepali to climb 14 mountains above 8000m.

2. Dr. Harka Gurung Mountaineering Award – Mr. Buddhi Narayan Shrestha was chosen for his contribution in publishing different articles & books relating to mountains, mountain regions and border issues.

3. Dawa Norbu Mountaineering Journalist Award – Mr. Ballav Mani Dahal was chosen for his continuous effort since two decades in promoting mountain tourism through the publication of different articles in the national media like The Rising Nepal.

Founder member of NMA, Mr. Shambhu Tamang informed briefly about the history of NMA with special focus on the respected personnel involved in founding NMA in 1973.

The award receivers were selected by Award Selection Committee which was headed by Mr. Shambhu Tamang and other members of the committee are as follows:

Mr. Nima Nuru Sherpa,

Mr. Bodh Raj Acharya,

Mr. Raju Silwal

Mr. Jinesh Sindurakar.

The award is scheduled to be distributed in the coming Annual General Assembly.

Chief Guest for the program also distributed certificates to the 44 participants, 12 instructors and 1 equipment in-charge of the 38th Basic Mountaineering Training conducted in Kathmandu and Manang from 8 June – 21 July 2017.

Director General of Department of Tourism- Dinesh Bhattarai shade light on the contribution of NMA to the mountaineering development of Nepal. He also updated the process of renewal of authority of NMA to issue permit for 12 mountains.

In the congratulatory speech of Chief Guest of the program Mr. Maheshwor Neupane, he clarifies the view of Ministry of Finance on the recent collection of royalty introduced by some local authorities. He also informed that the ministry is totally against such illegal collection and will make long term effect in out tourism industry, therefore, requested them for the immediate stoppage in the action. Mr. Neupane also suggested NMA to work as per the financial regulation of Government of Nepal and requested for the transparency in doing expenses from the fees collected after the issuance of climbing permit.

Finally, Santa Bir Lama- President of NMA thanked chief guest, special guest and other guests including journalists, general members for the participation despite the short notice. Mr. Lama also requested MoCTCA for the speedy implementation on the request of NMA to renew the authority to issue climbing permit. He assured that transparency in the expenses of revenue will be maintained and will definitely discuss with the ministry in the regards.

Press Release from Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation -7 Nov

Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation in association with International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group) have launched software named "Online System for Tourism Service Delivery in Nepal" on 2074/07/15.

Felicitation program of NMA President by Norvic International – 7 Nov

Hon'ble Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jitendra Dev felicitated NMA President Santa Bir Lama on the occasion of Green March Day and 10th Anniversary of Skydive day organized by Norvic International.

4th Mountain Festival to be organized

Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has been celebrating "Mountain Festival" every year at the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara, to observe the International Mountain Day. The United Nations General Assembly designated 11 December "International Mountain Day" and has been celebrating it since 2003.

The main objectives of the event are to enhance the livelihoods of mountain communities by promoting mountain products, protect the vulnerable mountain environment and promote mountaineering, mountain culture & sports.

General Assembly of IFMGA, 28 Nov – 1 Dec 2017

The General Assembly (GA) of International Federation of Mountain Guide Association (IFMGA) was organized in Kathmandu from 28 Nov -1 Dec 2017. There were 65 representatives from 25 member federations in the GA. The IFMGA is an international association of mountain guide associations from all over the world. They represent all mountain guides of their country, which are qualified according to the IFMGA guidelines. The IFMGA, founded in 1965 by guides from Austria, France, Switzerland and Italy, is currently a body of mountain guide associations from more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, representing a total of almost 6000 guides. Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) represents Nepal in IFMGA headquartered in Basel, Switzerland.

Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) entered in agreement with Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) in 2005 to conduct Aspirant Guide Course and Mountain Guide Course in Nepal; hence, we have already produced 50 Mountain Guides and 20 Aspirant Guides.

In the special program organized on 30 Dec, NMA President expressed satisfaction over the achievement of the joint effort of NMA and NNMGA to develop mountain profession as safe and secured profession. He also shared that NMA started giving mountaineering training from 1979 in different categories and till date, 2187 mountaineers have been trained with mountaineering skill. In this context, NMA has partnered with different national and international organizations to conduct mountaineering training in Nepal; therefore, NMA signed agreement with Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) in 2005. The chief guest of the program was Dinesh Bhatterai, Director General of Department of Tourism. NMA was also specially honored by Director General of Department of Tourism, IFMGA President Christian Trommsdorf and NNMGA President for its active involvement in the promotion of mountaineering training to develop mountain guides of international standard. NMA General Secretary Kul Bahadur Gurung made special presentation to inform foreign delegates about the program and objectives of NMA. President of NNMGA Sunar Gurung concluded the program with his vote of thanks for the special presence of the national and international delegates in the historic program organized in Kathmandu.