SATV 20 April, Kathmandu: The Kanchenjunga Diamond Jubilee Festival commenced in Taplejung on Friday, marking 70 years since the first human ascent of Mount Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world and the second-highest in Nepal.
The three-day festival organised by the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council was officially inaugurated by the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Badri Prasad Pandey at Lelep, located in Phaktanglung Rural Municipality–6. Lelep lies at a day’s walking distance from the district headquarters, Fungling, or around four hours by vehicle.
With the theme ‘Kanchenjunga Conservation Area: A Gift of Nature, Tourism Development Through Conservation’, the festival aims to boost tourism in the region. According to Man Kumar Rai, Member-Secretary of the Council, the event is expected to promote the Kanchenjunga area and increase the flow of both domestic and international tourists.
Kanchenjunga, 8,586 metres above sea level, was first summited on 25 May 1955 by British mountaineers George Band and Joe Brown. The Diamond Jubilee Festival commemorates this historic ascent, said Council Chairperson Khagendra Phembo. A similar event was also held in 2016 to mark the 60th anniversary of the first ascent.
While inaugurating the festival, Minister Pandey said that Nepal's mountains are symbols of pride and identity, and that the government is committed to their preservation and promotion.
He highlighted the spiritual and religious significance of Nepal’s mountains in addition to their natural beauty and stressed the need for their continued conservation to uphold the nation’s honour.
The Minister further stated that the mountains are intricately linked to customs, culture, biodiversity and ecological diversity, so conservation and promotion should be a shared responsibility.
He emphasised that promoting local culture alongside nature would help attract more foreign visitors.
Minister Pandey also underlined the importance of coordination and collaboration among federal, provincial and local governments for successful conservation efforts.
The festival includes sports competitions, such as volleyball, and features musical performances by national and local artists throughout the three-day event.
The opening ceremony was attended by former Minister for Tourism and current Member of Parliament, Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, local representatives and international guests.
