Home
»
TRAVEL EVENT NEWS
»
Türkiye Hosts International Meeting on Sustainable Mountaineering: Collaboration with Nepal’s Everest Alliance to Protect Mountain Ecosystems
Published on
March 12, 2026
Image generated with Ai
The AKUT Foundation recently hosted an international meeting in Istanbul aimed at promoting sustainable mountaineering and discussing the importance of protecting mountain ecosystems. This meeting, which took place on March 9, 2026, brought together key players from the mountaineering community, nature conservation, and tourism sectors. The event was part of the Türkiye visit of Everest Alliance Nepal representatives and served as a platform for cross-border collaboration in the pursuit of preserving fragile mountain environments while ensuring responsible tourism practices.Strengthening the Link Between Mountaineering and Environmental ProtectionThe event, held at the Energy Museum Control Room on the santralistanbul Campus of Istanbul Bilgi University, focused on the intersections between mountaineering culture and nature conservation. During the gathering, discussions centered around how intensive mountaineering activities can impact mountain ecosystems and how sustainable tourism can help mitigate these effects. This dialogue was vital in highlighting the need for responsible mountaineering practices, especially in the Himalayas and other popular mountain ranges, and how these practices could be applied to mountains globally.The gathering was led by Ali Nasuh Mahruki, the Chair of the Board of the AKUT Foundation, who is well-known for his pioneering contributions to Himalayan mountaineering in Türkiye. Mahruki emphasized the significance of sustainable mountaineering and eco-tourism in preserving the integrity of mountain ecosystems. By addressing the environmental challenges faced by mountaineers and local communities alike, the gathering aimed to find solutions that ensure the long-term health of the natural landscapes people travel to explore.
International Cooperation: A Key Element for Sustainable MountaineeringSudarshan Nepal, President of Everest Alliance Nepal, shared his insights during the meeting, stressing the importance of global cooperation for sustainable mountain tourism. Nepal, with its proximity to Mount Everest, has long dealt with the environmental challenges of mass tourism and the mounting pressure on its delicate ecosystems. Nepal’s experience with these issues serves as a valuable example for other countries …