Talking about our mountains
Nepal recently celebrated International Mountains Day by organizing Himalayan Conference and a meeting of Himalayan host countries in Pokhara. Mt Cho Oyu Diamond Jubilee Celebration was also organized on the sidelines of the program. The event saw participation of international delegates, Nepali travel trade people, mountaineers, and Cho Oyu summiteers, among others. The program was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.
Participants of the program held discussions on climbing regulations of the Himalayan host countries, verification of peaks over 8,000 meters, impact of climate change on Himalayan livelihood and other concerns of Himalayan host countries. Several prominent personalities delivered their speeches on different issues like common prosperity of Himalayan community, Himalayan mountaineering for community prosperity, impact of tourism activity on Himalayan communities, and available innovation, knowledge, and technology for the prosperity of mountain community.
But it is surprising to note that the conference didn’t deliberate on important issues like ethical mountaineering. Chinese mountaineer Wang Jing was criticized throughout the world for her helicopter-aided summit of Mt Everest. Instead of discouraging such summits by not recognizing Wang’s summit, the government had provided climbing certificate to the Chinese mountaineer. The decision has set a dangerous precedence. The ministry will have no option but to issue climbing certificates to other mountaineers who reach the summit of Mt Everest by using helicopter to cross the difficult sections.
Mountaineering is an important aspect of Nepali tourism industry. With some of the world’s tallest peak lining across its northern border, Nepal is a mecca for adventure activities, particulary peak climbing and trekking. But as increasing pressure of humans might make serious impact on the fragile environment, affecting the life and livelihood of thousands of people living in the Himalayas, the government should immediately need to do the needful for protecting fragile mountain environment. It should have to put a limit on number of summits of mountain peaks, particularly Mt Everest, if need be and impose severe fine on mountaineers and support staff who flout environmental norms.
Time has also come for the government to put in place a code of ethics for mountaineers and support staff. It will not only discouraging helicopter-aided mountaineers with big moneybag like, Wang, but also ensures safety of climbers by promoting pure climbing and creates more jobs.
