Sagarmatha Day being marked today
KATHMANDU: Nepal is marking International Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) Day today with a series of programmes highlighting mountain tourism, safety and environmental conservation.
Observed each year on May 29, the day commemorates the first successful ascent of Sagarmatha by New Zealand’s Edmund Hillary and Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. The world’s highest peak remains a potent symbol of Nepal’s national pride and its role on the global tourism map.
Government agencies, tourism entrepreneurs, mountaineering operators and local governments have organised events and discussions focused on mountain tourism, safe climbing practices and protection of fragile alpine ecosystems.
Participants urged that conservation of mountain environments be given top priority, noting visible impacts of climate change in recent years and the need for stronger measures to protect glaciers, water sources and biodiversity.
Officials and industry representatives emphasised that mountain tourism is a cornerstone of Nepal’s economy, generating employment and foreign exchange, and called for coordinated action to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability.
Programmes and awareness activities are scheduled across the country today, with local initiatives aimed at engaging communities in conservation and responsible tourism practices.
By RSS
