Kathmandu: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has stated that Sagarmatha, the world’s highest peak, is the pride of the whole world. Addressing a programme organized at local Basantapur on the occasion of the International Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) Day, Minister Pandey emphasized the need for active involvement in the conservation and promotion of Sagarmatha to attract tourists globally.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Pandey highlighted Sagarmatha as not only an identity and pride of Nepal but also of global significance. He referenced the recent Sagarmatha Sambaad, aimed at establishing the country’s identity through Everest, which raised global awareness about the impacts of climate change. He noted that the melting of Everest’s snow poses a problem not only for Nepal and the Himalayan region but for the entire planet.
In celebration of International Sagarmatha Day, a morning procession took place at Thamel, a popular area for tourists. The event saw the presence of Minister Pandey, Officiating Tourism Secretary Indu Ghimire, Director General of the Tourism Department Narayan Regmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board Deepak Raj Joshi, along with tourism entrepreneurs, representatives from tourism-related organizations, government officials, security agencies, and the general public.
Prior to the procession, a wreath was laid at the life-size statues of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Edmund Hillary at the Nepal Tourism Board premises. International Sagarmatha Day is observed annually on May 29 to commemorate the historic first ascent of Mount Everest by the Nepali Sherpa and Hillary on May 29, 1953.