Kathmandu: The government has decided to organize a three-day event to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee (60th Anniversary) of the first ascent of the Mt Everest. According to government officials, the gala event has been planned from May 27-29.
On May 29, 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal stepped atop the world’s highest peak Mt Everest (8,848 meters) at 11:30 am over the South Route.
Around Rs 30 million has been allocated to hold various activities in Kathmandu and the Khumbu region to mark the special day.
The government has decided to confer Diamond Jubilee medals to all Everest record holders. “We have invited all the record holders from around the world and the government will facilitate them with medals and public honor,” said Kashi Raj Bhandari, director-planning and research at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
A main committee under Tourism Minister Ram Kumar Shrestha and an event organizing panel at NTB have been formed to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. The ministry said the celebration will give an unprecedented opportunity to promote Nepal as one of the best adventure destinations on the planet.
National and international experts in tourism and mountaineering have been invited to attend a special conference planned on May 29 in the Khumbu region. The conference will discuss mountain tourism.
The government has also decided to waive the royalty fee to climb the mountains in the Mid- and Far-western regions for the next five years.
A special programme has been planned at Khumjung in Solukhu-mbu. Everest cleaning expedition and other awareness events have been planned to create awareness about mountain tourism. Other events include joint programmes with the diplomatic missions, release of a postal stamp, paragliding and marathon in the Everest region, according to the organizer.
The history of Nepal’s tourism development dates back to 1950 when it was first opened to foreigners. Three years later in 1953, Sherpa and Hillary stepped on top of the world.
Source: eKantipur
