The umbrella organization of mountain tourism entrepreneurs, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), is gearing up for its upcoming general convention scheduled to be held on Bhadra 7 in Kathmandu. Ahead of the event, the Kul Bahadur Gurung group officially announced its candidacy for the new executive committee during a press conference held yesterday in the capital.
Kul Bahadur Gurung, originally from Dhading’s Rubivalley, has been engaged in mountain tourism for the last 33 years. He previously served as the General Secretary of NMA and has contributed significantly to policy-making and promotional activities in the mountaineering sector.
Candidates and Positions
The Gurung group has put forward a strong lineup of candidates for various key positions in the upcoming NMA executive election. The following table highlights the candidates and the positions they are contesting for:
| Position | Candidate Name |
|---|---|
| President | Kul Bahadur Gurung |
| Senior Vice President | Tika Ram Gurung |
| First Vice President | Mingma Gyangbu Sherpa |
| Second Vice President | Dhan Bahadur Gurung |
| General Secretary | Bimal Kumar Naharki |
| Secretary | Nima Dikee Sherpa |
| Treasurer | Sumi Lama |
| Member | Puskar Shah |
| Member | Bal Bahadur Suyal |
| Member | Harigopal Pradhan |
| Member | Madhav Prasad Pande |
| Member | Diki Sherpa |
| Member | Sudash Lama |
| Member | Lal Bahadur Jirel |
| Member | Nurbu Chhiring Sherpa Lama |
| Member | Pasang Sherpa |
| Member | Geeta Rai |
| Member | Ashok Tamang |
Key Agenda and Vision
Addressing the press, presidential candidate Kul Bahadur Gurung outlined his vision for a safe, responsible, and sustainable mountain tourism sector. He emphasized that the global impact of climate change has significantly threatened Nepal’s Himalayas, and bringing international attention to this issue would be one of his key priorities.
Gurung highlighted that his team would focus on:
- Promoting local products, services, and workforce connected to the Himalayas.
- Providing training and capacity building for the younger generation in mountaineering skills.
- Ensuring institutional transparency within NMA operations.
- Organizing an International Mountain Festival annually.
- Building Nepal’s mountains as a global brand in the international tourism arena.
Climate Change and Himalayan Conservation
During the program, several senior political and tourism leaders raised concerns about the urgent need to address climate change impacts in the Himalayan region. Bhim Acharya, Standing Committee Member of CPN-UML and former Chief Minister of Koshi Province, remarked that safeguarding the Himalayas has become increasingly challenging due to the intensifying effects of global warming. He criticized current tourism policies, stating that they are insufficient to tackle the underlying problems of Nepal’s tourism industry.
Political and Tourism Leaders’ Support
Prominent figures from various political backgrounds expressed their views during the event. Angelu Sherpa, Central Member of Nepali Congress and Head of the Tourism Department, stressed the necessity of strong leadership within the Nepal Mountaineering Association to globally represent Nepal’s mountaineering sector. He expressed confidence that the Gurung-led group would be able to fulfill this role effectively.
Similarly, Rachana Khadka, Central Member of CPN-UML and former Minister of Koshi Province, along with Ramesh Dhamala, leader of Nepali Congress and former President of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), highlighted that tourism is the backbone of Nepal’s economy and must be protected.
Santabir Lama, outgoing president of NMA, also acknowledged the importance of having a capable leadership team to safeguard and promote Nepal’s mountain tourism amidst global challenges.
Future Priorities of the Gurung Group
The Gurung group has pledged to introduce a series of reform-oriented programs if elected. Some of their outlined commitments include:
- Establishing a comprehensive safety framework for mountaineers and trekkers.
- Increasing collaboration with international mountaineering organizations to enhance Nepal’s global standing.
- Launching awareness campaigns on climate change and sustainable mountain tourism.
- Enhancing rescue and emergency response systems in high-altitude regions.
- Strengthening the role of NMA as a bridge between the government, private sector, and local communities.
Significance of the Election
The upcoming NMA election holds great importance as it will determine the leadership responsible for shaping Nepal’s mountain tourism policies at a critical time. With Nepal aiming to boost its post-pandemic tourism revival, stakeholders believe that a strong and visionary leadership is essential to balance economic growth with sustainability and climate resilience.
The candidacy announcement of Kul Bahadur Gurung’s team has already created momentum within the mountaineering and trekking fraternity. With a strong lineup of experienced professionals, the group has promised to bring a fresh approach, combining decades of expertise with forward-looking strategies.
