The Prime Minister announces the creation of a social assistance fund for mountaineers

KATHMANDU, May 29: Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal has announced the establishment of a welfare fund for mountaineering and the safety of mountaineers.

In a program organized on the occasion of the 71st International Everest Day celebrated in Kathmandu on Wednesday, participants emphasized the importance of the social fund for mountaineers in matters of the future safety of mountaineers, especially the livelihoods of the Sherpa ethnic groups.

The Prime Minister said: “There is a need for cooperation and coordination to mitigate the effects of climate change and keep mountainous areas pollution-free while tackling challenges in the waste management sector. To this end, the Government of Nepal has initiated a policy with the slogan “Save the Himalayas, Save Humanity” by organizing dialogues at national and international forums.

He said stakeholders, including all Nepalis, would have strong support for the government’s policies, priorities and initiatives. It is stated that due to the rights and interests of mountaineers and their safety, a social assistance fund for mountaineers should be established. He informed that the government would initiate the creation of a social assistance fund for mountaineers in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance. To increase the comfort of mountaineers, VAT exemption is provided. Moreover, the government of Nepal will make efforts to increase commercialization of this sector.

Similarly, the Prime Minister mentioned that Nepal has established itself as a leader in hill countries and the world’s attractiveness towards Nepal was also well expressed. He stressed that climate change has affected mountain ranges, including the highest mountain, and therefore every Nepali should protect the mountains.

He added that the government formulates policies and programs giving priority to the safety of mountaineers and the self-esteem of mountaineers.

The government has announced that the policies and programs for the coming fiscal year will include various programs with the aim of attracting a total of 1.6 million tourists in the coming fiscal year. The budget includes activities such as identifying new tourist destinations and developing existing ones as well as promotion, servicing tourists under the single window policy, automating the climbing permit system and identifying and promoting tourist resorts in the mountains.