Mountaineering needs govt patronage

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Speakers at a 'flag off' ceremony in the city Friday said mountaineering expeditions need government patronage to enhance bilateral relations with neighbouring countries, reports UNB.

Through mountaineering Bangladesh would have warm relations with its neighbours, they said.

The observations were made at a press conference organised by Bangladesh Mountaineering and Trekking Club (BMTC), marking the 'flag off' ceremony for two Bangladeshi mountaineers Sajal Khaled and Nishat Mazumder at the National Press Club.

Sajal and Nishat will leave Delhi with a team of Indian mountaineers on March 16 for Mount 'Makalu' expedition '09, funded by the Indian government and planned by Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.

Artist Hashem Khan, sculptor Ferdousi Priyabhasini, BMTC Chairman Enayetullah Khan and founder of BMTC Enam Ul Huq spoke at the press conference. Later, they handed over the national flag to the two Bangladeshi mountaineers who will join the Makalu expedition.

The expedition will be live-telecast on Indian National channel - Doordarshan, while Discovery, a satellite channel, will make a programme on it.

The 27,782 feet 'Makalu' is the fifth highest mountain in the world, located 22 km (14 miles) east of Mount Everest, on the border between Nepal and China. Mount Makalu was first conquered by two French mountaineers in 1955.

Makalu is considered one of the most difficult mountains in the world to climb. The mountain is notorious for its steep pitches and knife-edged ridges that are completely open to the elements.