Sagarmatha Day calls for environmental measures
Lakshmi Kothaneth
The Embassy of Nepal in Muscat observed on 29th May 2025 the Sagarmatha Day, commemorating the historic first ascent of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on on the same day in 1953.
This year’s event also coincided with Republic Day of Nepal, adding further significance to the celebration.
Dr. Jamal bin Hasan Al-Moosawi, Secretary General of the National Museum of Oman was the Guest of Honour.
In his address, the Ambassador of Nepal to the Sultanate of Oman, Dornath Aryal, said, “Sagarmatha day is a reminder not only for human achievement but also for the majestic beauty of the Himalayas and the urgent need to address challenges being faced by the climate change and other environmental issues.”
He explained that the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region covers eight countries, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. This region has a huge area of mountains, and it has the largest source of ice and snow outside the polar region.
He also pointed out that these mountains are vast sources of fresh water and lifelines of people, flora and fauna.
“Our beautiful mountains are facing enormous challenges due to rising temperature and extreme weather conditions. Rising temperature has caused rapid melting of snow, rise of the sea level, drought, glacier lake outburst, floods, landslides etc. The situation has been quite alarming in recent times.
Mountains are not just nature’s crown-jewels; they are the shared heritage of humanity to maintain ecological balance- from highlands to islands. Global cooperation, collective efforts and actions require to protect them.”
In May 2025, Nepal had organized the first edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad (Everest Dialogue) in Kathmandu under the theme of “Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity” . It concluded issuing a 25-point “Sagarmatha Call for Action”. Sagarmatha Sambaad, a flagship initiative of Nepal aims to promote inclusive dialogue and encourage meaningful collaboration and cooperation to achieve tangible solutions.
The Ambassador pointed out that a total number of 350 delegates, including 175 international delegates/participants, took part in the dialogue. The second edition of the Sambad will be held in 2027.
From Oman, a delegation under the leadership of the Ambassador of Oman to India had taken part in the event.
Nadira Al Harthy, the first Omani woman to climb the Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) took part in the conference as a panelist. She shared her experiences of her expedition to Sagarmatha and the recently held Sagarmatha Sambaad.
So far, three mountaineers have climbed the Sagarmatha from Oman. Late Khalid bin Sulaiman Al Siyabi, was the first Omani national to climb Mount Everest in 2010. The third Omani national to climb the Sagarmatha is Suleiman Hamood al Nabi.
The Ambassador noted that beyond its natural splendour, Nepal is strategically positioned as a bridge between two neighbouring countries, India and China. “This unique geographical proximity provides tremendous opportunities for tourism, trade, investment and many more,” he said.
As part of the celebration, Ambassador Aryal honoured Nadhira Al Harthy with a traditional shawl and felicitated Master Shiva Kochale, a 13-year-old teen who reached the Sagarmatha Base Camp in April 2025.
In her presentation, summiteer, Nadhira said, “We could hear the sound of avalanche every day, but I was ready to go to the top of the world. Every step had a risk, but every risk was a step forward. I wanted to be on the Mount Everest summit.”
She explained all her training to prepare herself for the climbing of Mount Everest was done on the Omani mountains in Rustaq, Jabal Akhdhar, Jabal Shams and so on and by participating in marathons.
“Mountains can tell you everything,” she said.
She stayed at the base camp for 50 days to train, she explained, “The temperature was in minus degrees, and the snow was unimaginable for someone from the desert. Everything had to be learned. The mountains also teach us to accept our weakness and strengths.”
The month of May is also important for Omani mountaineers because on May 23, 2010, late Khalid al Siyabi, the first Omani to climb Mount Everest stood on the summit with the Omani flag. Inspired by the feat, and encouraged by the mountaineer himself, Nadhira Al Harthy reached the Mount Everest Summit, the first Omani woman to do so, on May 23, 2019.