ISLAMABAD: As Nepal marks the 72nd International Sagarmatha Day this week, commemorating the historic first ascent of Mount Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953, Ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan Rita Dhital reflected on the significance of this day and the potential for Nepal-Pakistan cooperation in areas of mountain adventure and climate resilience.

Talking toDawnon Wednesday, Ms Dhital said adventure was part of every human being. “The beauty and grandeur of mountains inspire people to reach higher. Both Nepal and Pakistan are attractive destinations for mountaineers and adventure seekers.”

Not only the world’s tallest peak, Mt Everest, seven more highest peaks - Kanchanjanga, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna - are in Nepal which are over 8,000 metres above sea level.

“Besides these eight tallest peaks, there are hundreds of other mountains in Nepal, which are open for mountaineering expeditions,” she said.

With reference to Pakistani climbers recently making headlines for their successful summits in Nepal, AmbassadorRita Dhital said: “It is truly inspiring. This pre-monsoon season, five Pakistani mountaineers successfully climbed Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Their courage, determination and resilience have made headlines in Pakistan and raised the profile of Pakistani climbers internationally. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all five for their remarkable achievements.”

Similarly, she recalled the successful scaling of Mt K-2 by a 10-member team of Nepali mountaineers in 2022 in winter season, which is considered as the most difficult season. She described Sherpa climbers from Nepal as having unmatched skills, resilience and experience in mountaineering.

“There are several training centres in Nepal to promote Alpine Adventures, the ambassador said, adding that Nepal Mountaineering Association working as the national Alpine Association of Nepal and Alpine Club of Pakistan can collaborate for human resource development in mountaineering sectors”.

In her views about the shared concern of both Nepal and Pakistan on the altering climate, Rita Dhital said: “Climate change has affected the whole planet. Both Nepal and Pakistan, are amongst the top vulnerable countries. Even though Nepal’s carbon emission is negligible, we are suffering consequences of global warming and climate change. We have been facing rising threats from landslides, floods, droughts and glacial lake outburst floods. We are compelled to divert our meagre resources allocated for poverty reduction towards adaptation and mitigation.”

She said Himalayan glaciers were vulnerable to the warming climate and had been melting and retreating at unprecedented rates.

According to the ambassador, Nepal has 2,070 glacial lakes, of which 21 are classified as potentially dangerous. These lakes pose serious risks to downstream communities and infrastructure in the event of a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).

“As part of our commitment, Nepal recently hosted Sagarmatha Sambad 2025, a high-level, multi-stakeholder dialogue held from 16–18 May in Kathmandu. Named after Mt Everest - known locally as Sagarmatha - the dialogue focused on the theme ‘Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity’.

“It was a timely event, especially as the United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation,” Ms Dhital said.

According to the ambassador, snow-clad mountains were not just a sight of beauty; they were also significant for their ecological and economic importance in water resources, biodiversity and tourism.

Hindukush Himalaya, the 800-kilometre long mountain ranges in South Asia and Central Asia, was considered as the ‘Water Tower of Asia’, which contributed water and ecosystem services to a quarter of humanity downstream.

As vulnerable countries facing similar challenges, the ambassador emphasised that “Nepal and Pakistan can work together in international forums to protect the mountains and advocating climate justice and climate finance, including reparations for loss and damage.”

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2025