Embassy in Dhaka Marks 72nd International Sagarmatha Day with Tribute to Bangladeshi Mountaineers

KATHMANDU: The Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka hosted a special programme titled ‘Stories from the Summit: Mountains through the Bangladeshi Eyes’ on Saturday evening to commemorate the 72nd International Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) Day. The event celebrated the enduring spirit of adventure and the deepening ties between Nepal and Bangladesh through shared appreciation of mountains.

The gathering brought together Everest summiteers, trekkers, nature photographers, and mountain lovers from across Bangladesh. Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, in his opening remarks, highlighted the timeless allure of Sagarmatha and Nepal’s majestic mountains among the Bangladeshi people. He praised the contributions of Bangladeshi adventurers in fostering closer people-to-people relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Ambassador Bhandari also emphasized the urgent need to protect fragile mountain ecosystems from the accelerating impacts of climate change. “The mountain agenda must be central to global climate negotiations,” he said.

Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change of Bangladesh, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, graced the event as Chief Guest. She lauded the courage of Bangladeshi climbers who have taken on the world’s tallest and toughest peaks, including Mt. Everest. She further stressed the importance of conserving mountain and river systems, noting their critical role in sustaining both biodiversity and human livelihoods across South Asia.

A highlight of the evening was an experience-sharing panel featuring renowned Bangladeshi Everest summiteers, MA Mohit, Nishat Mazumder, Mohad Babar Ali, and Ikramul Hasan Shakil. Moderated by writer and nature enthusiast Enam Ul-Haque, the panelists shared gripping accounts of their Himalayan adventures, reflecting on personal resilience, environmental awareness, and the emotional bonds they formed with the mountains.

Special recognition was given to Ikramul Hasan Shakil, who successfully scaled Mt. Everest on 19 May 2025 after an extraordinary 1,300-kilometre “sea to summit” journey on foot, starting from Cox’s Bazar. The Embassy also honoured members of Bangladesh’s first all-women expedition team, Nishat Mazumder, Yasmin Lisa, Arpita Debnath, Mousumi Aktar Ap, and Tahura Sultana Rekha for their achievement in summiting three peaks in Nepal’s Langtang region in December 2024.

An interactive session during the event allowed mountaineers and trekkers to exchange stories and experiences from Nepal’s iconic trekking routes, reinforcing the strong tourism and cultural connections between the two countries.