KATHMANDU, Nepal- Various programmes that the government of Nepal has planned to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the first ascent of Mount Everest have begun with a seminar on climate change and its impact on the Himalayas.
In the first day of the four day long celebration, the two day-long Everest Conference has kicked off in Khumjung of Solukhumbu on Sunday. In the conference, participants and the experts present working papers on global warming and discuss its effect on the Himalayas.
To celebrate the occasion amidst much gusto the government has formed the Mt Everest Diamond Jubilee Celebration executing agencies comprising the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Mountaineering Association.
As per the celebration plan, the May 28 will be observed as photo and philatelic exhibition related to Mt. Everest in Kathmandu. Also, Tenzing and Hillary Award will be given to the most deserving Everest summiteers the same day.
On the main event day of May 29, many famous personalities of the mountaineering sector will be the guests of honor. The government has planned to felicitate Kancha Sherpa, the only surviving member of the 1953 Everest expedition team.
Among other guests are Appa Sherpa, a 21 times Everest summiteer, Reinhold Messner, the first person to climb the peak without oxygen and all 14 highest mountains on earth and Tenzing’s grandson Tashi.
The government will also felicitate Amelia Rose Hilary, granddaughter of the legendary late Sir Edmund Hillary, who along with Tenzing Norgay Sherpa scaled the peak for the first time on May 29,1953, as goodwill ambassador of Nepali Tourism Board.
Around 1,000 Everest summiteers are expected to arrive for the ceremony, while 40 record holders will be conferred with the Diamond Jubilee Medals in Narayanhiti Palace Museum in Kathmandu.
The agencies also plan to issue a commemorative postal cover of the diamond jubilee and International Mountain Museum.