May 29: Today marks 70 years since humans first set foot atop Mt Everest (8,848 meters), the highest mountain in the world.

New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and his local guide Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first scaled Everest on May 29, 1953.

Commemorating this remarkable feat, Nepal is observing the platinum jubilee celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest.

Officials of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) say that the celebration is being marked in a grand manner today. People who have climbed Everest have been invited from across the world and are being honoured on this occasion, said Mohan Lamsal, an official of NMA.

Former chairman and chief advisor to the NMA, Ang Chhiring Sherpa, said a special programme is being organized at Khumjung valley of Solukhumbu to mark the event.

The programme is scheduled to be attended by Tenzing Norgay's son Jamling Tenjing Sherpa and Hillary's son Peter Hillary.   

Sherpa believes that the platinum jubilee celebration will bring a new wave in Nepal's tourism industry, as this event is being covered by the international media.   

Nepal is a home to eight peaks of over 8,000 meters including Mt Everest. So far, some 7,000 people – Nepalis and foreigners – have reached atop Mt Everest.   

There is also a record keeping competition among the climbers. Kamirita Sherpa has scaled Everest for 28 times, including twice this season.

However, there are also mounting concerns of pollution on Everest and other peaks due to human activities.

The Nepalese Army is conducting the Clean Mountain Campaign 2023 with the objective of collecting 35,000 kg of garbage from various peaks this season.

Another matter of concern is the traffic jam on Everest as the Department of Tourism has issued the highest number of permits – 478 – for climbers to scale Everest this season in 70 years of history. They include 103 women and 376 men from 47 mountaineering teams, added the department.

At least ten people, including six foreigners and four Sherpas, have already died while climbing Everest this season.