KATHMANDU: The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has announced the formation of a new advisory board, bringing together a distinguished group of mountaineering entrepreneurs, conservationists and tourism leaders to guide the organisation.

According to NMA President Phur Gelje Sherpa , the seven-member board includes Dawa Steven Sherpa, Namgyal Sherpa, Ghana Shyam Gurung, Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai, Jiban Ghimire, Tilak Bahadur Lama and Ngawa Ngima Sherpa.

The members

• Dawa Steven Sherpa, CEO of Asian Trekking and a three-time Everest summiteer, is among the most prominent names on the board. He is widely recognised for pioneering the Eco Everest Expeditions, through which he has championed environmental practices in Himalayan climbing and overseen the collection of 15,000 kilograms of garbage from the slopes of Everest.
• Dr. Ghana Shyam Gurung, known widely as the "Shepherd of the Snow Leopard," brings a conservation perspective to the board. The Country Representative for WWF Nepal holds a PhD in Natural Science from the University of Zurich and carries over 30 years of experience in biodiversity conservation, having led landmark initiatives including efforts to double Nepal's tiger population and achieve multiple consecutive years of zero rhino poaching.
• Ngawa Ngima Sherpa, Chairman of Sora Adventure Treks and Expedition, contributes nearly three decades of industry experience. He has previously served as an Executive Board Member of both the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (2015–2017) and the Nepal Tourism Board (2020–2023), and currently serves as President of the Korea Alpine Federation Liaison Office for Nepal.
• Tilak Bahadur Lama, Founder Director of Himaland Adventure Treks, is a tourism entrepreneur and social activist with over 25 years in the sector. He has held leadership roles in both the Nepal Canyoning Association and the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal.
• Jiban Ghimire, Managing Director of Shangri-La Nepal Trek, has operated his adventure business since 1992 and has collaborated on high-profile projects with the National Geographic Society and The North Face.
• Namgyal Sherpa, Managing Director of Thamserku Trekking and Chief Executive Officer of Sherpa Hospitality Group, also brings multi-sector leadership to the board. He is the Founder and Owner of Le Sherpa Concept, Vice President of the Pasang Lhamu Foundation and a board member of Entrepreneurs' Organization Nepal.
• Ganesh Bahadur Bhattarai, a senior tourism entrepreneur and former Deputy Mayor of Pokhara, rounds out the advisory board. He serves as an advisor at the Tourism Entrepreneurs Women Association of Nepal and is a past president of the Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal, Pokhara chapter.