KATHMANDU: Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel has underscored the escalating challenges posed by climate change and pollution to the Himalayan environment, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable tourism and responsible mountaineering practices.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that President Paudel, addressing the ‘Everest Summiteers Summit – 2026’ in Kathmandu, described Mount Everest not merely as a geographical landmark of Nepal but as a symbol of national pride, prestige, and an irreplaceable natural heritage. He noted that the country’s economy significantly benefits from the tourism sector, which relies on the conservation, promotion, publicity, and balanced utilization of these natural assets.
Mount Everest Faces Growing Environmental Pressures
President Paudel articulated that global warming, the far-reaching impacts of climate change, and the accumulation of waste in mountaineering regions represent critical contemporary global challenges. He stressed that addressing these environmental issues, preserving the biodiversity of the Everest region, and ensuring safe, sustainable, and technologically advanced mountaineering require concerted efforts and widespread cooperation.
He further elaborated on the direct link between the conservation and balanced utilization of Himalayan resources and the robust growth of Nepal’s tourism industry, which in turn fuels the nation’s broader economic development.
Government Officials Echo Concerns
Mukunda Prasad Niraula, the secretary of Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, echoed the President’s sentiments, expressing deep concern over the detrimental effects of climate change on Mount Everest and other mountain ranges within Nepal. The summit, which was the second of its kind, brought together approximately 600 participants, including 150 mountaineers from over two dozen countries, to discuss these pressing issues.
The event served as a crucial platform for stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for safeguarding the fragile Himalayan ecosystem while promoting adventure tourism. The discussions highlighted the interconnectedness of environmental health, economic prosperity, and the future of mountaineering in the region.
Officials emphasized that maintaining the pristine condition of the Himalayas is not only an environmental imperative but also vital for the long-term sustainability of the tourism sector, which is a cornerstone of Nepal’s economy. The summit aimed to foster international collaboration and share best practices in conservation and sustainable adventure tourism management.
The Chenab Times News Desk