Kathmandu: Experts from different sectors, working to mitigate climate change impacts, have stressed that it is the responsibility of the global community to protect mountains, as they are major sources of livelihood. During a panel discussion on ‘Exploring Nature, Culture, and Adventure in Mountains’ held as part of the ongoing Sagarmatha Sambaad today, they emphasized that protecting mountains is essentially linked to preserving the mountain ecosystem.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the protection of mountains helps enliven culture and tradition, wildlife, biodiversity, and tourism from the high hills to lower coastal areas, as mentioned by the experts. The session featured prominent figures such as Dr. Ghan Shyam Gurung, Country Representative for WWF, Nepal, who served as a keynote speaker. Other notable speakers included Rajan Subedi, River Basin Manager of Oxfam; Nadhira Al Harthy, a Sagarmatha climber from Oman; Maureen Anion, Assistant Commissioner at Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment; and Tshering Sherpa, Chief Executive Officer of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, who shared their experiences and expertise on the occasion.
The discussion highlighted that the mountain region covers 22 percent of the Earth, underscoring the significance of their conservation. This session was organized with the objective of strengthening the integrity of the mountain ecosystem, identifying innovative solutions, and exploring measures to increase investment in natural capital to benefit a larger population.