Nepali cabinet meeting at base camp of Mt. Qomolangma uncertain: official

Despite hype about the proposed cabinet meeting at Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp, top officials have said that it is "uncertain" as the meeting is "not yet fully planned out," local media reported Saturday.

"The meeting is currently under discussion and it is impossible to hold it on the date rumored," Bishnu Rizal, press advisor to the prime minister was quoted by Saturday's myrepublica.com as saying, adding that "it may be possible later."

Cabinet sources said the proposed meeting is not possible in the very near future as it will take more time to work out the logistics.

However, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Deepak Bohara said Friday that the ministry has already proposed to announce the long-planned Gaurishankar Conservation Area through a cabinet meeting at Everest (Qomolangma) Base Camp on November 11.

He informed that the entire cabinet meeting that day will be dedicated to deliberations on climate change and other environmental issues.

Moreover, he added that the cabinet will also endorse the government's Declaration Letter for the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, scheduled for Copenhagen, in December.

"The government will announce the Gaurishankhar Conservation Area from Base Camp and adopt the Declaration on Climate Change for the Copenhagen meet," Bohara said.

The conservation area, located between Everest and Langtang in northeastern Nepal, spreads over 2,035 square km and is considered one of the richest conservation sites for biodiversity.

The government has proposed flying some 60 people to the Base Camp for the meeting. Besides the 27 cabinet ministers, members of the cabinet secretariat, the chief secretary, a doctor's team and media persons from home and abroad will accompany the entourage.

Source:Xinhua