Renowned climber Phunjo Jhangmu Lama has been appointed a tourism goodwill ambassador by the Chumnubri Rural Municipality in Gorkha.
The rural-municipality assembly concluded recently announced Lama, who set a Guinness World Record by climbing the highest peak, Sagarmatha, in the shortest time, as the tourism goodwill ambassador, according to Nima Lama, chairperson of the rural municipality.
The local government is celebrating the diamond jubilee this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the successful ascent of Mount Manaslu.
The village assembly unanimously endorsed Phunjo's name as the goodwill ambassador, according to Lama. "We regard Phunjo as an ornament of our nation and appoint her as the tourism goodwill ambassador," he added. With this appointment, Phunjo, who has earned fame worldwide, will help promote tourism in the Manaslu region.
Upon her appointment, the climber said, “It is a great honour for me and I will leave no stone unturned to promote this region worldwide.”
Chumnubri, known for its unique traditions, has marked 105 years since it was declared a non-violence zone. To further strengthen its commitment to preserving its cultural and natural heritage, it has also promulgated the ‘Shyagya Tradition Preservation Act, 2080’ (2023). The Act aims to support the identification, continuity, promotion and conservation of biodiversity within the non-violence zone.
Phunjo was trained in both the Swiss Alps and the Himalayan region of Nepal and set a world record as the fastest woman to climb the world’s highest peak. In 2024, she ascended the Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) from the base camp in 14 hours and 31 minutes.
Born in Chokangpa village, Chumnubri-7, Phunjo has successfully scaled the Everest, Lhotse, Manaslu, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Lobuche and Denali and others. She has also been actively supporting rural and marginalized communities in the areas through initiatives focused on livelihood, education and sustainable development.
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