Damber Parajuli has been unanimously re-elected president of the Expedition Operators’ Association Nepal (EOAN) during the association’s annual general meeting held in the capital on Friday.

The meeting also elected a full executive committee to lead the umbrella organization of Nepal’s expedition operators. The newly elected office bearers include Iswari Paudel as first vice-president, Shivraj Thapa as second vice-president, Rishi Ram Bhandari as general secretary, Dawa Steven Sherpa as secretary, and Dawa Sangbu Sherpa as treasurer.

The elected executive committee members are Mingma David Sherpa, Govinda Gurung, Krishna Kumar Aryal, Murari Sharma, Jiban Ghimire, Navin Trital, Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Pemba Sherpa, and Ang Babu Sherpa.

Under the leadership of President Parajuli, EOAN has adopted a new approach by taking full responsibility for rope fixing on high mountains, marking a departure from the traditional practice of assigning the task to a specific outfitter. The initiative has been widely viewed as an efficient and effective method for opening routes to mountain summits.

“This practice will continue in the years to come,” Parajuli said.

Stressing that rope fixing is a highly sensitive task, Parajuli argued that EOAN should be entrusted with the responsibility to ensure quality and safety in mountaineering until a new action plan replaces the existing provisions of the Mountaineering Expedition Regulation.

Refuting media reports about proposals to construct a route through the Khumbu Icefall and to invite open bids for rope fixing on major mountains, Parajuli urged the government to draft clear procedural regulations for rope fixing on high peaks. “Rope fixing is different from other jobs, and a responsible body like EOAN should be entrusted with this task as part of a long-term expedition plan,” he said.

EOAN successfully fixed ropes during the autumn climbing season by employing professional mountaineers, with support from Seven Summit Treks, 8K Expedition, and Himalayan Guides, which assisted in logistical management.

Parajuli emphasized that EOAN will focus on innovation and the improvement of expedition operations nationwide to enhance the quality and safety of Himalayan expeditions.

Chief guest at the event, Secretary Mukunda Prasad Niraula of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA), assured government support, stating that the ministry remains ready to address issues raised by tourism entrepreneurs.

General Secretary Bhandari reaffirmed EOAN’s commitment to advancing Nepal’s adventure tourism industry, with continued emphasis on improving operational standards and safety protocols.

During the event, members of the rope-fixing team were honored for their contributions to mountaineering. Chhiring Bhote, Lhakpa Sherpa, Tashi Gyalzen Sherpa, Hira Bhote, Pasang Sherpa, and Karma Sarki Sherpa from Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, and Ramechhap districts were recognized for fixing the climbing route to the summit of Mount Manaslu.

Founded in 2008, EOAN works to promote climbing and mountaineering while safeguarding fragile mountain ecosystems, local economies, and vulnerable communities. During the current autumn expedition season, EOAN opened routes on Mount Manaslu, Himlung Himal, and Ama Dablam, instead of assigning the task to a specific outfitter.

In addition, EOAN conducted a cleanup campaign on Ama Dablam, where climbers collected more than 600 kilograms of waste from the mountain.