Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Pandey, arrived at the Sagarmatha Base Camp today to assess ongoing tourism activities, mountaineering conditions, and the peace and security situation in the region.
The ministers landed at Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality-4 via helicopter as part of their official visit. Their primary objective was to observe the challenges faced by mountaineers, evaluate rescue and emergency services, and gather firsthand information about the conveniences provided to both domestic and international tourists in the Everest region.
Speaking during the visit, Home Minister Lekhak emphasized the importance of helicopter services in emergency situations. “Helicopters are necessary for tourists when emergencies arise,” he said. “The government has adopted a policy to ensure convenience for tourists.” However, he cautioned that the misuse of helicopter services must be strictly regulated and discouraged.
Sagarmatha Base Camp
Tourism Minister Badri Pandey echoed the government’s commitment to strengthening tourism infrastructure in the region. “The government is serious about the development of tourism,” he stated. “Recognizing Sagarmatha as a globally significant destination, we will implement necessary infrastructure and management to elevate the region’s appeal and safety.” He further added that the government is equally attentive to issues across the mountains, hills, and the Terai (southern plains) and promised that concrete steps would be taken to address the problems faced by local communities and tourists alike.
During the ministers’ visit, local tourism entrepreneurs and stakeholders submitted several suggestions for the holistic development of the Sagarmatha region. Their key demands included the upgrading of road access to the region, expansion of communication services at the base camp, improvement of the Lukla-Khumbu roadway, enhancement of emergency helicopter services, and the establishment of a climbers’ welfare fund.
Renowned mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa, who holds the record for the most ascents of Mount Everest, was also present at the interaction. He, along with other representatives, urged the government to increase the number of liaison officers deployed during climbing seasons and to extend the term of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) by five more years. The SPCC has been actively engaged in overseeing road construction and managing environmental concerns in the Khumbu region.
The visit by the ministers signifies the government’s renewed focus on the Everest region and its intent to improve the overall climbing and tourism experience through policy reform, better infrastructure, and enhanced safety measures.
