To mark the 70th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mount Kanchenjunga the world’s third and Nepal’s second highest peak a grand “Kanchenjunga Diamond Festival–2082” is being held in Taplejung. The festival, organized by the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council, will run from today through Sunday (April 18–20).
The festival will be officially inaugurated today and will feature various activities over the three days, including the promotion of Mount, exhibition and sale of local products, traditional food promotion, cultural performances, sports, trekking, and photo/video exhibitions. According to Council Office Secretary Man Kumar Limbu, six climbers from Taplejung who have summited Kanchenjunga will be honored. They include Pasang Sherpa, Ngada Sherpa, Lakpa Sherpa, Dawa Cheten Sherpa, Mingma Gyabu Sherpa, and Lakpa Sherpa.
The event is being held under the slogan “Kanchenjunga Conservation Area: Nature’s Gift, Foundation for Sustainable Tourism Prosperity,” and is expected to play a key role in promoting conservation and sustainable tourism. The first successful ascent of Kanchenjunga was made on May 25, 1955, by British climbers Joe Brown and George Band via the southern face. Although attempts had been made since 1905, the first success came in 1955.
Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey, flew to Lelep by helicopter today to inaugurate the festival. Former Minister and Member of Parliament Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai also joined the event.
