Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), aiming to enhance rescue efforts on the high mountains of Nepal and China, has entered into a landmark cooperation with China’s Xizang Autonomous Region.

During his recent visit to the Tibet Autonomous Region to participate in the 4th Trans-Himalayan forum in Nyingchi City, NMA President Nima Nuru Sherpa proposed and agreed to establish a high-altitude mountain rescue mechanism.

An MoU in this regard has been signed between the NMA and China’s Xizang Autonomous Region Sports Federation, the latter being responsible for mountaineering in China.

This is the first high-level MoU signing by the NMA with a foreign country or organisation.

Sherpa expressed optimism that this MoU will be a milestone in improving rescue operations in the mountainous region.

“Due to various reasons, including the lack of the latest technology and the challenging terrain of the mountains, our rescue missions have not been as effective as required, he said.

“Consequently, locals and mountaineers have suffered unfortunate losses,” Sherpa said during a press briefing organised on Sunday to announce the MoU.

“Now, we are hopeful that the involvement of the Chinese government will significantly enhance our capabilities in this field.”

A high-level mechanism will include representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Department of Tourism, and the NMA.

Representatives from the Tibet administration and the Xizang Autonomous Region Sports Federation will also participate from the Chinese side.

Both parties have agreed to collaborate on promoting each other's mountaineering cultures and jointly establishing the Himalayan Mountaineering Cultural Centre.

They have further agreed to cooperate on environmental conservation efforts in the mountainous regions, with a specific focus on Mount Everest, and to support each other in developing skilled human resources.

According to the MoU, the Chinese side will send their mountaineers to Nepal for advanced training.