Late Dr. Harka Gurung is remembered on his 16th death anniversary today. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) jointly organized a special program on 16th Dr. Harka Gurung Memorial Day at Kathmandu where the various disciplines of his life were discussed. 

Dr. Harka Gurung’s students Professor Dr. Bhim Prasad Subedi and Dr. Yogendra Gurung presented papers based on Dr. Harka’s best work. Both experts highlighted Dr. Harka’s outstanding contributions in the field of population and geographical distribution of Nepal, migration and study of Nepal’s mountains.

‘‘Dr. (Harka) Gurung was such a personality who was accepted everywhere and by everybody. No one would dare to differ with his opinion. We can’t limit his contribution to only one subject or field’’, Dr. Subedi said, ‘‘He is the person who made people believe in the fact that (Mountain) tourism is the future of Nepal. His research work has also proven this fact.’’

A renowned scholar, geographer, politician, first Tourism Minister of Nepal and one of the founding members of NMA late Dr. Gurung died in a helicopter crash in 2006 at Ghunsa of Taplejung while returning from a conservation meeting. Among his many prominent research works, Dr. Gurung is also remembered for his contribution to the field of Mountaineering. 

Dr. Gurung’s publications have helped to identify many new peaks of Nepal. It was Dr. Harka's concept of setting up a mechanism to professionally regulate the mountain tourism of Nepal. NMA was established in due course.

The first Tourism Act of Nepal was introduced in his leadership when he was tourism minister. Since then, the Government of Nepal has formally been recognizing the black, blue and red book issued by the NMA to the mountain guide of Nepal. 

The president of NMA Mr. Nima Nuru Sherpa, remembering Dr. Harka, stated that he was a pioneer of Nepal's mountain tourism. ‘‘To be honest, Nepali tourism would not be where it is today if Dr. Harka was not here’’. NMA president Mr. Sherpa said, ‘‘We still feel his absent.’’

Gurung Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, Nepal (GTEAN), Tamu Baudha Sewa Sammittee, Nepal & New Era, Kathmandu joined NMA to the memorial as a co-organizer.  The president of GTEAN Mr. Pitamber Gurung hosted the program where the vice president of New Era Mr. Yogendra Prasai thanked all for attending the event. 

Mountaineers, tourism entrepreneurs, social activists, his followers and others witnessed the program.