KATHMANDU, May 26: Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Bishwo Prakash Sharma has sent a letter to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from Everest Base Camp, urging Nepal to assume a leadership role in the global fight against climate change.
Sharma, who had ascended as far as Camp 3 during his Everest expedition, descended to Base Camp after weather condition did not favor him. In it, he underscores the urgency of Nepal’s proactive engagement on climate issues, particularly in light of the country's unique vulnerability and symbolic significance as the home of the Himalayas.
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While expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Oli for organizing the ‘Sagarmatha Dialogue’ on climate, Sharma asserted that it is now imperative for Nepal to also lead global discourse and action on climate change.
"On one side, the majestic white peaks remain; on the other, dark rock faces are increasingly exposed. Snow is receding, avalanches are becoming more frequent, glacial lakes are growing unstable, and human settlements are facing heightened risks. Such distressing scenes raise a serious question: if current trends persist, what will be the state of our mountains in just 15 to 20 years?" Sharma wrote, drawing from his firsthand observations during the expedition.
In his 19-point letter, Sharma called on the government to raise these pressing concerns in international climate forums. He emphasized the need for greater recognition and support for individuals working in the mountaineering and tourism sectors—including icefall doctors, professional climbers, expedition operators, rescue personnel, and porters—who he said face growing challenges as the mountain environment changes.
Questioning the long-term viability of the climbing industry, Sharma wrote: "If we fail to support this workforce, the mountains may remain—but without the hands to serve, how will mountaineering tourism survive?"
