Kathmandu, June 16: An eight member International Mountain Year 2002 National Co-ordination Committee has been formed with Defense Minister as convenor.
Other members of the committee are: Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation, Minister for Agriculture and Co-operatives, Minister for Population and Environment, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Science and Technology and Minister for Water Resources. The secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation is member secretary.
The 53rd General Assembly of the United Nations decided to observe 2002 as International Year of the Mountains. Nepal boasts of the world’s tallest peaks including Sagarmatha, the tallest. A secretariat of the International Mountain Year 2002 will be established with help of donors to meet its expenses.