The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) successfully concluded its 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) today. During the AGM, the policies, programs, and budget for the fiscal year 2081/082 were approved. In the closed session of the AGM, General Secretary Mr. Mohan Lamsal presented the policy and program for the fiscal year 2081/082, along with the progress report of the fiscal year 2080/081. Treasurer Mr. Mukti Pandey presented the budget for the fiscal year 2081/082 and the audit report of the fiscal year 2080/081.

All members present during the AGM's closed session actively participated in discussions and provided valuable feedback on the reports presented by the General Secretary and Treasurer. They also offered suggestions for improvements to the policies and programs. However, both reports were ultimately approved with minor corrections.

During the opening session of the AGM, the NMA had honored the top 10 agencies of fiscal year 2080/081 for their significant contributions to revenue generation through the sale of NMA peak permits. The honored agencies were:

1.       Adventure Everest Team Trek & Expedition Pvt. Ltd.

2.       Ice Eight Thousand Pvt. Ltd.

3.       South Col Adventures Pvt. Ltd.

4.       Seven Summit Treks Pvt. Ltd.

5.       Satori Adventures Pvt. Ltd.

6.       Mera Alpine Treks and Expedition Pvt. Ltd.

7.       Fourteen Summits Pvt. Ltd.

8.       Nord Extreme Himalaya Pvt. Ltd.

9.       Makalu Adventures Pvt. Ltd.

10.     Thamserku Trekking Pvt. Ltd.

The NMA also recognized several dignitaries, staff members, instructors and participants of the Mountain Leader Course (Winter and Summer components) with special honors. The honorees included:

●       Mr. Sonam Gyalzen Sherpa, Former Acting President

●       Mr. Ranjan Krishna Aryal, Convenor of the NMA Task Force formed by the MOCTCA in 2065

●       Mr. Jyoti Adhikari, Member of the NMA Task Force formed by the MOCTCA in 2065

●       Mr. Sangay Sherpa, Member of the NMA Task Force formed by the MOCTCA in 2065

●       Mr. Satya Narayan Raya, Lifetime Service Award

●       Mr. Shyam Tamang, Lifetime Service Award

●       Mr. Jinesh Kaji Sindurakar, Best Staff of 2081

●       Ms. Nirmala Kumari Neupane, Best Staff of 2081

Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Paney graciously extended the honor on behalf of the NMA.

“The Government will address all issues raised by the NMA”

Honorable Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, pledged to address all issues raised by the NMA.

During the 34th AGM held today in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, Honorable Minister Pandey remarked, "I am fully aware of the NMA’s efforts to promote Nepal’s mountain tourism globally. I assure you that the NMA will continue to maintain its current responsibilities and position."

The Honorable Minister also assured that his commitments would be incorporated into the Tourism Act. "We are in the process of amending the existing policies and acts related to this field. We will be fully prepared before the new session of the House begins, and I assure you that all commitments will be included in the new tourism acts," he added.

Honorable Chairperson of Federalism Enablement and National Concerns Committee of the National Assembly, Mr. Sonam Geljen Sherpa, Honorable members of parliament Bhim Acharya, and Rajendra Bajgain, Former Minister and senior leader of the Nepali Congress, Mr. Bal Bahadur KC, Honorable member of Bagmati Province Parliament Ms. Yankila Sherpa, and former member of parliament Mr. Jeep Tshering Lama also urged the government to entrust the NMA with a greater role, recognizing its efforts to promote Nepal's mountain tourism.

Vice President of the Nepal Tourism Board, Mr. Ram Prasad Sapkota, President of the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOA), Mr. Damber Parajuli, and Senior Vice President of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN), Mr. Karma Sherpa, echoed the sentiments of the other leaders.