Kathmandu, July 26, 2025
Senior tourism entrepreneur Kul Bahadur Gurung has officially announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), pledging to promote the sustainable development of mountain tourism while addressing the pressing impacts of climate change on Nepal’s fragile Himalayan ecosystems.
Gurung’s candidacy was unanimously endorsed by the Nepal Democratic Tourism Entrepreneurs Association during a discussion program held in Kathmandu. The upcoming NMA election is scheduled for Bhadra 7 (August 23, 2025).
A veteran of nearly four decades in Nepal’s tourism sector, Gurung stated, “My candidacy is rooted in a commitment to sustainable mountain tourism, the protection of the rights of workers and entrepreneurs, and institutional reform. I aim to lead the NMA with experience, shared leadership, and accountability.”
Gurung highlighted the growing urgency to manage Nepal’s mountaineering industry in a safe and responsible manner, while also empowering local Himalayan communities whose lives are directly affected by tourism and climate change.
The announcement event drew a diverse group of stakeholders from Nepal’s tourism and mountaineering sectors. Former Nepali Congress Dhading president and senior entrepreneur Ramesh Dhakal stressed the need to elect democratic and visionary leadership to tackle mounting challenges in the climbing sector. Dr. Ram Saran Thapaliya urged all stakeholders to work towards a consensus leadership that could unify the sector under a shared vision.
Other prominent voices, including Deepak Mahat, Karma Sherpa, Khumbahadur Subedi, Nilhari Bastola, Kumar Mani Thapaliya, and Kamala Gurung, emphasized the rising impacts of climate change on Nepal’s high-altitude landscapes and called for stronger institutional response and environmental advocacy from the NMA.
Push for Consensus Leadership
In a bid to present a unified front in the upcoming election, a Dialogue Committee has been formed under the coordination of Ramesh Dhakal. Members include Dr. Thapaliya, Subedi, Sherpa, and Bastola, who will lead discussions among tourism stakeholders to establish a consensus leadership.
As Nepal continues to face rapid glacier retreat, erratic weather patterns, and increasing risk of natural disasters in the Himalayas, this election holds significance not just for tourism governance—but for the broader future of mountain resilience in the face of climate change.
