UAAA Environment Day – 4th September 2014
Nepal Mountaineering Association organized a cleaning camping at Bajrayogini Temple to mark UAAA Environment Day on 2nd September 2014. Union of Asian Alpine Association (UAAA) has decided to mark Sep 4 as UAAA Environment Day. Executive Board members, committee members and staffs of NMA participated in the cleaning campaign. After cleaning program, President mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa of NMA and the convener of Environment committee Mr. Bhumi Lal Lama handed over cleaning materials (brooms, dustpan and dustbin) to Bajrayogini Temple Conservation Committee.

Donation form Japan Mountain Guide Association- 10 Sep
Japan Mountain Guide Association (JMGA) donated Japanese Yen 365000 for Mountaineering Disaster Relief and Educational Support Fund (MDRESF) in the special program organized at NMA Secretariat on 10 Sep 2014. Director of International Committee of JMGA Mr. Kenji Kondo handed over the amount to NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa in presence of the members of MDRESF Committee. IMM Advisor Akinobu Otsu played a key role in this noble cause.

Welcome program, felicitation program and certificate distribution- 11 Sep
NMA organized a welcome program in honor of newly appointed Secretary for Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Suresh Man Shrestha on 11 Sep at NMA secretariat, Naxal. In the same program, Mr. Shrestha distributed letters of appreciation to the members of Seven Summit Women for their historical successful ascent on Mt. Denali, Alaska on 24 June 2014. Members of the expedition team Pema Diki Sherpa, Chunu Shrestha, Asha Kumari Singh, Nimdoma Sherpa, Maya Gurung, Pujan Acharya led by Shailee Basnet were felicitated. Similarly, the chief guest also distributed certificates to the 67 participants of 35th Basic Mountaineering Course conducted at Manang and Kathmandu in two groups. Mr. Pasang Sherpa, chief instructor of the mountaineering course shared his experience about the course with explanation on the importance of the course and urged ministry to pay attention for conducting more mountaineering trainings. The chief guest for the program, Mr. Shrestha highlighted on the importance about mountain tourism and how it can play role in the development of country. Shailee Basnet expressed her gratefulness for the cooperation extended by NMA during their expedition and requested for support for their next mission on Vinson Massif (Antarctica). Finally, in the vote of thanks by NMA President Ang Tshering Sherpa, he briefed the newly appointed Tourism Secretary about the activities of NMA, future programs of NMA. He also updated about the development of Peak Profile Preparation Committee and Mountaineering Disaster Relief and Educational Support Fund.

IInd edition of CLIMATE+CHANGE exhibition lunched at International Mountain Museum- 27 Sep

On occasion of 35th world tourism day on 27th September 2014, IInd edition of Climate + Change - a dynamic exhibition exploring the effect of climate change on the Hindu Kush Himalayan region launched at International Mountain Museum (IMM) in Pokhara. The exhibition features selected material from trans-boundary landscapes and selected watersheds that emphasize the interactions among changing natural systems, dynamic social systems, the well-being of people, and the scientific study of change processes and the ways that people in the region are adapting to the changes they perceive. This exhibition was jointly inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Peter W. Bodde, US Ambassador to Nepal, Mr. Bishwo Prakash Pandit, Secretary for Education, Ministry of Education, Dr. David Molden, Director General of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Mr. Ang Tshering Sherpa, President of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and Mr. Saru Bhakta Shrestha, Chancellor of Nepal Music and Drama Academy. This exhibition is organized by ICIMOD and Glacier Works in partnership with NMA, the Embassy of the United States in Kathmandu, photo.circle, THINK Design, and Srijanalaya.

 

The exhibition features science and image collected from the ICIMOD and striking photography from David Breashears, Glacier Works and other Nepali photographers that show the rapidly changing Himalayas and highlight solutions being implemented in the region. Apart from this Climate+Change features image, text, and interactive elements which attract visitors to think and investigate about the challenges faced by our natural landscapes, ecosystems, human communities and economies in the face of climate change across the country. An in-depth Arts and Education program will target students and teachers from across Kaski and neighboring districts, offering a unique opportunity for them to engage with and be inspired by science. With three sections on air, water and ice, the exhibition highlights the science behind issues like black carbon and its sources and effects, types of floods, flood risk management, alternative irrigation methods and decaying glaciers and ice, to name a few. Using case studies from across Nepal the exhibition calls for the need to cooperate across borders in addressing the risk of natural hazards and the conservation of ecosystems. Breathtaking, large-scale photography from GlacierWorks invites visitors to explore the changing Himalayan landscape in and around Mount Everest, and scientific explanations will help visitors better understand the complexities of glaciers on the rooftop of the world. Throughout the exhibition, solutions are presented along with the challenges and visitors are encouraged to act on personal levels to make changes.

After the inauguration, Kundan Dixit led the guided tour for the journalists and guests and highlighted about the exhibition to them. The inauguration ceremony was also followed by the interaction program on "Access routes for tourism: enhancing community development in Nepal's mountain areas" at the conference hall.

This exhibition of Climate+Change will be displayed at the IMM for one year starting 27th September, 2014. Each month, new programs and events will engage visitors on various topical issues that revolve around the exhibition. The events are designed to encourage active engagement of all visitors and the production of new ideas and insights into this region.

Earlier,  in the special program organized on 12 Sep Friday at ICIMOD, Khumaltar, tripartite MoU was signed for the display of "Climate + Change: A regional dialogue on the future" exhibition at International Mountain Museum, Pokhara. Ang Tshering Sherpa- NMA President, David Morgan- Director General ICIMOD and Bhusan Shilpakar, Photo Circle signed on the agreement.

Notice about royalty free peaks
As per the decision of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, mountains of the height less than 5800m will be promoted as trekking peaks and royalty fee has been waived for those peaks. Hence, the following peaks managed by NMA are free of royalty fee from now onwards.

Tent Peak (5663m)
Mardi Himal (5587m)
Yala Peak (5732 m)
Chukung ri (5550 m)

Opening hour of NMA during Dashain, Tihaar and Chhath Parba
NMA will remain open for 3 hours (11a.m to 2p.m.) during Dashain, Tihaar and Chhath Parba for the issuance of climbing permit.

Office will be remained closed on Asoj 17- Vijaya Dashami ( 3 Oct) and Kartik 7- Mha Puja & Goverdan Puja(24 Oct)

Loluphera campaign in Rara lake
As part of Loluphera campaign, a conference was organized at Rara Lake. Secretary for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Suresh Man Shrestha, Joint Secretary Suresh Man Shrestha, Ramesh Dhamala-President of TAAN and General Secretary Thakur Raj Pandey attended the program. Loluphera campaign includes Lomanthang, Lumbini, Phewa Lake and Rara Lake.