Kathmandu, December 1
Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) today said that it would mark the International Mountain Day by organising the International Great Himalayan Festival in Pokhara.
Organising a press meet here, NMA Chairman Santa Bir Lama said that the festival will take place from December 10-12 at the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara.
As the World Tourism Organisation celebrates International Mountain Day on December 11 each year, NMA decided to mark the day by organising different events in Pokhara, informed Lama.
According to him, the NMA Baikuntha Manandhar Himalayan Marathon will be held in both male and female categories on December 10 covering a distance of 45km for the first time in the lake city. The first three winners in each category will receive Rs 100,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 each.
The NMA Himalayan Cycling with bouldering competition with a cash prize of Rs 110,000 will also be organised on December 10 while various artists will take part in the Toni Hagen Tourism painting competition on December 12, as per Lama.
The three-day festival will observe different activities such as Thakali archery competition, Gurung community shot-put competition, Mustang horse riding, blood donation and climbing education, among others. 'NMA will honour mountaineering legends and climbers on the occasion,' Lama said. The event will be helpful in promoting mountain tourism in the world, he added.
At least 50,000 visitors are expected to attend the three-day festival ......
THT