Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has emphasized the Nepal Government’s active efforts to ensure safety in Himalayan mountaineering, stating that the government is focused on reducing risks and strengthening infrastructure in major climbing regions.
Prime Minister Oli Emphasizes Safety
Addressing a special ceremony organized by Annapurna Rural Municipality at Ward No. 4, Narchyang, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of the first successful ascent of Annapurna I, Prime Minister Oli said that the government has been preparing trained manpower and developing necessary infrastructure along climbing routes. “The number of climbers attempting Everest has increased due to reduced risks brought about by skilled human resources and improved infrastructure,” said PM Oli. “The government is also working on constructing and upgrading trekking trails connecting base camps of Annapurna and other peaks.”
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Kali Gandaki Corridor, which links Myagdi to the Korala border point in Mustang, Prime Minister Oli noted that the state has accorded high priority to upgrading this corridor. He informed the gathering that the government is actively engaged in constructing physical infrastructure at Korala to enhance regional connectivity.
Recalling the historic moment when French climber Maurice Herzog and his team summited Annapurna I (8,091 meters) on June 3, 1950, Prime Minister Oli credited the achievement for opening the gateway to Nepal’s mountaineering potential. “Maurice Herzog’s book Annapurna played a significant role in introducing Nepal and its majestic mountains to the world,” he remarked. The Prime Minister also acknowledged the enduring contribution of the Sherpa community to Nepal’s mountain tourism and the country’s global reputation as a premier mountaineering destination.
The Diamond Jubilee celebration, marking 75 years since the world’s first successful ascent of an over-8000-meter peak, was attended by Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey, and State Minister for Energy, Irrigation, and Water Resources Kham Bahadur Garbuja, among other dignitaries. The event not only commemorated a historic feat in mountaineering but also underscored the Nepal Government’s vision to develop safe, sustainable, and globally competitive mountain tourism infrastructure.
