Prime Minister Oli: Government Committed to Making Mountaineering Safer
Kathmandu – Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reaffirmed the Government of Nepal’s commitment to making mountaineering safer and more accessible, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and reduce climbing risks in the Himalayas.
Speaking at a special ceremony held in Narchyang, Annapurna Rural Municipality Ward No. 4, on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of the first ascent of Annapurna, Prime Minister Oli stated that the government is actively engaged in making Himalayan expeditions more secure. The event was organized by the Annapurna Rural Municipality to mark the 75th anniversary of the first successful summit of Annapurna I.
“To reduce risks in mountaineering, the government has trained skilled human resources and constructed necessary infrastructure along climbing routes. This is one of the reasons we are witnessing a growing number of climbers ascending peaks like Everest,” the Prime Minister said. He added that the government is also focusing on upgrading trekking trails leading to various base camps, including those in the Annapurna region.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of regional connectivity and tourism infrastructure. He said that the upgrade of the Kaligandaki Corridor, connecting Myagdi to the Korala border in Mustang, has been given top priority by the government. Physical infrastructure is being developed at the Korala checkpoint to enhance cross-border trade and travel, he noted.
Prime Minister Oli paid tribute to French climber Maurice Herzog and his team, who summited Annapurna I on June 3, 1950, becoming the first to scale an 8,000-meter peak. “Maurice Herzog’s expedition opened the door to Nepal’s vast mountaineering potential,” he said, also commending the Sherpa community for their immense contributions to mountain tourism. “The book Annapurna written by Herzog helped introduce Nepal and its majestic peaks to the world,” he added.
The commemorative event also featured the unveiling of three statues at Annapurna Base Camp in honor of Maurice Herzog, Louis Lachenal, and Ang Tharkey Sherpa, who are the key members of the historic 1950 expedition. In a message shared via the French Embassy’s social media, the importance of the anniversary was highlighted not just as a milestone in bilateral relations between Nepal and France, but as a moment of global significance. “We celebrate the courage of Maurice Herzog, Louis Lachenal, Ang Tharkey Sherpa, and the rest of the team,” the Embassy noted.
The French delegation also met with Purnima Shrestha, the goodwill ambassador for the #Annapurna75Years campaign, during their visit to the base camp.
The Diamond Jubilee program was attended by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey, State Minister for Energy, Irrigation and Water Resources Khamba Bahadur Garbuja, local leaders, international dignitaries, mountaineers, and residents. Celebrations continued throughout the day at Annapurna Base Camp and in Narchyang, paying homage to a legacy that has shaped Nepal’s identity as a global mountaineering destination.
