UAAA Environment Day celebrated- 1 September

On the occasion of UAAA Environment Day, NMA organized a cleaning campaign at Swoyembhu Nath Temple on 1st September, Saturday being a UAAA Environment Day. NMA President Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa led the cleaning campaign along with Executive Board Members and staff of NMA.

Annual General Meeting- 12 September

The Annual General Meeting was held on 12 Sep 2007 at 2007 at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Kathmandu, Nepal

Ist Session

The Chief Guest Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prithvi Subba Gurung inaugurated the Central Annual General Meeting on 12 September 2007 at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Kathmandu, Nepal. Mr. Deebas Bickram Shah, General Secretary welcomed all the guests present in the program and highlighted the programmes of NMA.

The Chief Guest awarded the "Dr. Harka Parbatiya Puraskar" - an award and a Medal, established in memory of former Chief Advisor, first State Minister for Tourism, renowned geographer, geologist, artist, versatile intellectual, tourism legendary late Dr. Harka Gurung to renowned Mountain legendary a living encyclopedia Ms. Elizabeth Hawley in recognition of her invaluable, incomparable and exemplary contribution in maintaining chronological development of mountaineering history of Nepal Himalaya. Ms. Hawly expressed her sincere gratitude towards Nepal Mountaineering Association and committed her active involvement in tourism field.

NMA President Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa announced NMA Award "Kumar Khadga Bikram Adventurous Award 2007"-A Golden Ice Axe established in memory of founder President late Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah will be awarded to Ms. Eagen McGrath, an aerospace engineer with the Canadian Air Force. She risked her life to rescue a female Nepali climber Ms. Usha Bista, who had fallen sick on the way to the summit of Mount Everest on 21 May 2007. Ms. Bista was suffering from cerebral edema and barely conscious at an altitude of 8,300m when she was first found by Ms. McGrath. NMA honors her courage in rescuing the life of Nepali female. Recognising that this was a noble team effort, NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa thanked all those involved in the rescue of Ms. Usha Bista, especially Mr. Dave Hahn of USA and Mr. Lhakpa Rita Sherpa of Nepal.

Another award "Dawa Norbu Mountain Tourism Journalism Award 2007" established in memory of late President Dawa Norbu Sherpa is awarded to Mr. Bhola Rana, a renowned journalist for his continuous contribution in mountain tourism field. Mr. Rana is a reputed senior Tourism based writer. He is actively involved in the promotion of Mountain Tourism through the print and electronic media since long back.

The Chief Guest awarded letter of appreciation to the top ten trekking agencies who issued highest number of climbing permit from Nepal Mountaineering Association. Likewise, he also gave away certificates to the students receiving scholarship under NMA's Welfare Program, letter of appreciation to the journalists involved in the promotion of mountain tourism and staff of NMA for their contribution in Himalaya Tourism Conference 2006. In his speech, the Chief Guest Hon'be Minister encouraged NMA to involve in the development of Mountain tourism, conservation of mountain environment and rescue activities in the Nepal Himalaya by producing professional manpower. He also congratulated for the success of the Central Annual General Meeting of NMA.

IInd Session

After the announcement of required corum full filled, the closed session of AGM started. The meeting staged one-minute silence in the memory of well-wishers of NMA, who passed away last year. In the closed session, General Secretary Mr. Deebas Bickram Shah presented the progress report of the fiscal year 2063/2064 and Policies and Programs formulated for the fiscal year 2064/2065. Similarly, on behalf of Treasurer Mr. Ang Kaji Sherpa, Secretary Mr. Narahari Bhandari presented the Auditor's report of the fiscal 2063/064 and estimated budget for the fiscal year 2064/2065.

The general members held a thorough and extensive discussion on the presented reports. General Secretary and Secretary answered the questions from the floor regarding both the reports. Finally, the general members approved the progress report and the Auditor's Report of the fiscal year 2063/2064, as well as policies, programme and budget for the fiscal year 2064/2065.

view photos from AGM »

Donation- 17 September

NMA donated Rs. 13,40,147.00 from the local development trust to construct the bridge located in the Khumbu area. The bridge was damaged due to the rain causing problem to the trekkers in the Sagarmath region.

Certificate distributed- 21 September

NMA President Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa distributed certificate to the 37 participants of Basic Mountaineering Course 2007 at NMA Secretariat on 21 Sep 2007. The training was conducted by NMA at Kathmandu and Langtang from 15 Aug 2007 - 17 Sep 2007. There were 28 male participants and 5 female participants in the training. 4 British nationals also participated in the training. 9 Nepalese instructors with 2 Slovenian instructors and 1 doctor from Slovenia carried out the training. NMA has provided Basic Mountaineering Course to 1314 mountaineers till today.

NMA -Petzl Basic Introductory Mountaineering Training 2007 started- 23 September 2007

In a program organized at NMA Secretariat, NMA President Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa announced the commencement of the first NMA -Petzl Basic Introductory Outdoor / Mountaineering Training. The training will be carried at NMA Secretariat and International Mountaineers' Memorial Park, Kakni. The training started from 23 Sep 2007 and ends on 5 Oct 2007. Twelve male and two female students are participating in the training and it is jointly organized by NMA and Petzl Foundation, France. Both the associations signed Memorandum of Understanding on 23 August 2007 to carry out the training. Ist Vice President Mr. Zimba Zangbu Sherpa, Mr. Sunar Gurung, Technical Director and Patrick Magnier, Instructor Petzl Foundation highlighted on the different aspects of the training. The books related with the training were also distributed to the participants in the program.

Introduction of Mountaineering Gears

This is regular column of e-News to introduce mountain gears to the readers.