Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa, a well-known tourism professional and the first Nepali climber to climb the Seven Summits, has been honored with the International Everest Award on the occasion of the 71st Mount Everest Day.
Sonam, the founder of Yeti Airlines and Thamserku Trekking, was awarded this year's International Everest Award in a program organized by the government on the occasion of Everest Day.
According to the recommendation committee, he was given the award in recognition of his contribution to the development, expansion and job creation of Nepal's mountain tourism for 5 decades as well as attracting tourists.
During his speech at the ceremony, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda said that the government will set up a welfare fund through the Ministry of Finance to protect the rights and interests of climbers.
Senior tourism entrepreneur Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement and announced to donate 2 lakh rupees to the Summiters Welfare Fund.
