KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has stated that sustainable Himalayan tourism, responsible mountaineering, and the preservation of the Himalayan environment are the pressing needs of today.

Addressing the “Everest Summitteers’ Summit–2026” organized today in honor of Mt. Everest climbers from various countries around the world, President Paudel reiterated that protecting the mountain ecosystem has become an absolute necessity.

He remarked that Mt. Everest is not just Nepal’s geographical identity, but represents the prestige, pride, and invaluable natural heritage of the entire nation and the world.

He added that the conservation, promotion, publicity, and balanced utilization of these assets have significantly supported the economy through Nepal’s tourism sector.

President Paudel highlighted that global warming, the impacts of climate change, and the accumulation of waste in mountaineering zones have emerged as critical modern challenges.

He emphasized that additional efforts and cooperation are needed today to resolve these issues, protect the environment and biodiversity of the Everest region, and make mountaineering safer, sustainable, and technology-friendly.

He expressed that this conference holds special significance as it brings together Everest climbers from around the globe to foster meaningful discussions on the multi-dimensional aspects of the Himalayan region, international cooperation, dialogue, and raising awareness for mountain conservation.

The President shared his belief that the conference would pay special attention to keeping Mt. Everest alive in its natural form by leveraging the knowledge and experiences gained by climbers during their expeditions.

Meanwhile, Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, expressed confidence that the summit would yield fruitful results for promoting Nepal’s tourism, while also sharing deep concerns regarding the growing adverse impacts of climate change on Mt. Everest and other Himalayan peaks in Nepal.