NMA holds 35th AGM; top trekking agencies presented with awards

KATHMANDU: Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) held its 35th annual general meeting (AGM) on Friday.

Hari Prasad Mainali, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Narayan Prasad Regmi, General Director of the Department of Tourism, attended the event as chief guest and special guest, respectively.

The programme was formally inaugurated by the chief and special guest with the watering of saplings. Afterwards, the guests presented certificates of appreciation to trekking agencies for the highest number of climbing permits for the mountain ranges under the association in fiscal year 2024/25, with the top three being Mera Alpine Treks and Expedition, Adventure Everest Team Trek & Expedition and Ice Eight Thousand.

Once the agencies were awarded, retired chief accountant of NMA, Radhika Syangwa, and Narayan Lama were also honoured. After the certificate distribution, the guests present delivered their speeches.

“Our country is in a unique situation, especially in the tourism sector. Generally, when there are protests, nationwide problems or natural disasters, the sector which suffers the most is tourism,” said Sagar Pandey, President of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal. “We recently went through a revolution; we are going through difficult times. However, if the country does not get on the right track, the tourism sector will face difficulties and incur losses. We need to get on the right track.”

The ceremony concluded with the vice president of NMA giving his closing remarks.