KATHMANDU: Damber Parajuli has been reelected as president of the Expedition Operators’ Association Nepal (EOAN) through a unanimous vote at the association’s annual general meeting held in the capital. Following his reelection, Parajuli emphasized the need for stronger government priority and protection for Nepal’s mountaineering sector, stating that his leadership will focus on innovation and improvements in expedition operations across the country.
The newly elected executive committee features Iswari Paudel as first vice-president, Shivraj Thapa as second vice-president, and Rishi Ram Bhandari as general secretary. Dawa Steven Sherpa and Dawa Sangbu Sherpa were elected secretary and treasurer respectively, forming a leadership team aimed at strengthening EOAN’s role in Nepal’s adventure tourism industry.
Nine members were also selected to the executive committee: Pemba Sherpa, Govinda Gurung, Krishna Kumar Aryal, Murari Sharma, Jiban Ghimire, Navin Trital, Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Ang Babu Sherpa, and Mingma David Sherpa. The committee is expected to work collectively to promote sustainable and high-quality expedition services in the Himalayan region.
Addressing the gathering, Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), urged expedition operators to actively promote Nepal’s adventure tourism on the global stage. He assured that the government remains committed to supporting tourism entrepreneurs and addressing sector-related issues in coordination with stakeholders.
Established in 2008, EOAN plays a key role in promoting climbing and mountaineering while safeguarding fragile mountain ecosystems, local economies, and vulnerable communities.
The association is annually entrusted by the Department of Tourism with fixing ropes on major peaks including Mt. Everest, Mt. Manaslu, Himlung Himal, and Mt. Ama Dablam. On the occasion, mountaineers from Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, and Ramechhap districts were honored for their contribution to fixing the Manaslu summit route, with the awards presented by Chief Guest Mukunda Niraula and Tourism Department Director General Ram Krishna Lamichhane.
