At the 34th Annual General Meeting of the Nepal Mountaineering Association held in Kathmandu, Nepal’s Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing aviation safety and credibility.

Addressing the increasing number of air accidents, Pandey highlighted that the Ministry has prioritized aviation safety, with plans for immediate, mid-term, and long-term reforms. Given the critical role of tourism in Nepal’s economy and its ability to create jobs, ensuring the safety of air travel has become a pressing concern for the government.

During the meeting, Nima Nuru Sherpa, President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, underscored the economic impact of mountaineering.

He stated that every tourist climbing a mountain generates employment for 10 local people and contributes significantly to government revenue. Nepal, home to over 2,000 mountain peaks, boasts eight of the world’s highest peaks, each over 8,000 meters tall.

Currently, only 405 peaks are open to climbers, and the Association has urged the government to open an additional 57 peaks to further promote tourism and economic growth.

-Sweta Singh (Kathmandu)