By Subhasish Chakraborty, a travel writer
Background:
Ang Tshering Lama, Nepal’s ‘Mountain Man’ and one of the world’s most iconic mountaineer
has been mountaineering for close to three decades now. He has summitted Mt.Everest six times!
Led many expeditions and still raring to climb those stupendous peaks……
In the US Ang worked as a park ranger honing his skills in the domain of search and rescue
operations at Rainier National Park and Denali National Park.’
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More about Ang- https://hyperlitemountaingear.com/blogs/the-trailhead/the-halka-55-and-70-origin-story-meet-ang-tshering-lama?srsltid=AfmBOooxfwCV_7Am5H9Dxow2d5UL6I2bP9gEyTif48IDKvd8OH6VZ9ia’
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On May 22, 2017 Ang went on to conduct the world’s highest rescue mission on Everest saving the
lives of a Sherpa climber and a mountaineer from Pakistan. He is also the proud recipient of the PRO
PIN bestowed on him by Denali National Park in 2016.’
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National Geographic Video link on World’s Highest Rescue Mission –
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/mount-everest-video-chance-encounter-
heroic-rescue-saves-two-climbers’
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Ang’s passion to safeguard and preserve the fast vanishing Sherpa culture from
the Himalayas is legendary – be it his rescue missions during the 2015 Nepal
Earthquake, rebuilding remote Nepalese villages or guiding an all-widow team to
the top of the world; Ang has contributed immensely through his philanthropic
bent of mind.’
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Ang’s Message – Preserving Uttarakhand Himalayas:
The Himalayas are an enigma and so be it! Spanning a distance of 2, 500 kms. in length and
between 350 to 150 kms. in breadth, with a maximum summit of approximately 9 kms. above sea
level; the greatest mountain range on Planet Earth is renowned for its rarefied grandeur and
diversity in terms of geography as well as centuries old culture.
The Indian state of Uttarakhand and Nepal share international borders and are separated by the Kali
river. I have visited Uttrakhand many times; and the immensity of the Himalayan peaks, the warm
hearted Indigenous hill tribes, their remarkable lifestyle and vernacular architecture has enamoured
me.
In a world reeling under global warming and climate crisis, the Indian state of Uttarakhand comes as
a breath of fresh air. With the snow capped high Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi(7816m),
Chaukhamba(7138m), Panchchuli(6904), Trishul(7120m)…..standing like sentinels of peace.
We need to take a vow to protect the state’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem through a series of eco-
friendly measures like encouraging home stay options in lieu of the commercially profitable multi-
storied apartment hotels, promoting immersive holidays with the stress on taking tourism to the
villages and hamlets; the idea is to make tourism ecologically sensitive and thereby offer high value
experiences to the discerning world traveler.
Ang lauded the state government’s focus to promote “Homestay Tourism” in the High Himalayan
Zone that is having a positive rub-off effect or “Multiplier Effect” on the villages and Himalayan
hamlets of Uttarakhand – curbing the instinct of migration to urban areas and generating enough
revenues for villagers who have opted to transform their homes into homestays.
According to Ang – “This is an exciting time for India as a nation – third largest economy by
purchasing power parity and a USD 3.5 Trillion economy with Travel & Tourism industry alone
generating US$ 178 billion. With India becoming a global powerhouse, the nation’s tourism
landscape too has to adapt with globally acceptable tourism guidelines/yardsticks”.
He was optimistic about India’s Uttarakhand and Nepal collaborating on a range of issues that
concern both of us – tourism, climate change, environment and sustainability.
According to Ang, it’s not just the heights that lure the trekkers to Uttarakhand
and that there is a whole lot more at stake, like – some of the world’s most
challenging waterways, a region with one of the richest bio-diversities anywhere
in the world, unparalleled National Parks and Game Sanctuaries and above all a
diverse population with a great array of culture, tradition, folklore and festivals
where visitors can bask in the fun and excitement thousands of miles away from
their hometown in some of the most rugged mountain landscapes.
The Himalayan ecosystem is one of the most endangered of life support systems
on earth. In the shadow of the Himalayas live millions of inhabitants, who also
happen to be amongst the poorest in the world. And, Ang Tshering Lama is an
ambassador of the poorest Himalayan folks – the Sherpas, Tharus, Bhutiyas,
Magars, Rais…..
And, here is hoping that Uttarakhand Tourism will be a beacon of hope in India’s
pursuit towards becoming a “Net Zero” country.
The time has come to join hands together and offer our generous support –
emotionally, financially and logistically in shaping a brighter, more secure and
just world for the the natives of Himalayas.
The time is NOW.
For further information on high altitude trekking expeditions and
mountaineering in the Himalayas, please feel free to get in touch with:
Angs Himalayan Adventures
P.O. Box 1384,
Kathmandu, Nepal.
[email protected]
Tel: +977-1-4497192
