Highest Cabinet Meeting at Gorakh Shep, Nepal, on 4th December, 2009
by Usha Rai
Kathmandu, Nepal (November 30, 2009): At a press conference held on 29th November at NTB’s auditorium hall, members of the press and media were briefed about the climate themed Cabinet Meeting to be held in Gorakh Shep, Everest Base Camp on 4th December 2009. The meeting was well attended by members of the press & media, tourism officials, Everest summitteers and mountaineers.
The main speakers during the event were Minister of Tourism – Mr. Sarat Singh Bhandari, Minister of Forests – Mr. Deepak Bohara, Minister of Environment Mr.Thakur Prasad Sharma and Planning & Operation Coordinator of the event, Mr.Suman Pandey ( President, Explore Himalaya).
In order to highlight the impact of global warming on the Himalayan glaciers twenty-six cabinet ministers, together with staff, will fly to Kalapatthar plateau at Gorakh Shep, Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 17,192 feet on December 4th 2009 and hold a cabinet meeting. This special climate- themed meeting has been scheduled ahead of the UN summit on Climate Change at Copenhagen.
Emphasizing the impact of the climate change, Minister of Tourism Sarat Singh Bhandari said, “In the long run it is the third world countries like Nepal that is going to suffer. The global climate change will affect our economy, flora and fauna and obstruct developmental works. We need to highlight how the global climate change is adversely effecting our mountain environment and melting our glaciers. ”
Answering to press queries honorable Minister of Forests, Mr. Deepak Bohara said that the entire cost of the highest Cabinet Meeting will be borne by private sector companies. The Government is only contributing Re.1/- for the programme.
Outlining the programme to be held in Gorakh Shep, Mr.Suman Pandey , Planning & Operation Coordinator said , “The ministers will be flown to Lukla from Kathmandu on 3rd December, where they will stay overnight to acclimatize. The following day a press conference will be held at Shyangboche. After the press conference the ministers will be flown by MI 17 helicopters to Gorakh Shep. A team of Everest summiteers, with emergency oxygen back up will be there at the venue to oversee the meeting arrangement.
The cabinet meeting will be followed by a quick photo session. The whole operation will be complete within 20 minutes and the Ministers will be flown back by MI 17 helicopters. ”
The cabinet meeting will endorse the Summiteers’ Summit to Save the Himalaya Campaign slated for December 11 in Copenhagen. Other agenda includes declaring the area located between Everest and Langtang, spread over 2,035 sq km, considered rich in biodiversity as conversation area.
Nepal Television is going to broadcast the cabinet meeting at Gorakh Shep live.
Several institutions namely, Nepal mountaineering Association, Trekking Agents’ Association of Nepal, Natural Trust of nature conservation, Everest Summiteers Association, Expedition Operator Association, Himalayan Rescue Association, Union of Asian Alpine Association, Explore Himalaya , all the domestic airlines operating in Nepal, and other agencies have joined hands with the government to express their solidarity to safeguard the Himalayas.
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email: usha@explorehimalaya.com
www.explorehimalaya.com, www.explore-himalaya.com
Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure
Tel: +977-1-4418100
Fax: +977-1-4412888
Amrit Marg, Bhagwan Bahal
GPO Box: 4902
Thamel, Kathmandu, NEPAL
December 1, 2009
Posted in: Nepal