Nepalese Cabinet holds meeting on Everest

KATHMANDU, Nepal, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and his Cabinet met Friday on Mount Everest to highlight the adverse impact of climate change on the Himalayas.

Nepal and his 23 ministers were flown by helicopters to Kalapatthar, at an altitude of 17,192 feet, near the base camp of the world's tallest peak, Nepalnews.com reported.

After their brief meeting, the leaders returned to Syangboche near the foot of the 29,035-foot Everest, where they planned to hold a briefing for national and foreign reporters camped there, the report said.

Before taking off for Everest, Nepalese Forest and Soil Conservation Minister Dipak Bohora said the objective of the mission was to draw world attention to the threats of climate change to the magnificent, snow-bound mountain range, the source of vital water in the subcontinent.

The event was televised by state-owned Nepal TV.

In case of an emergency, the ministers were accompanied by a rescue team of six doctors and a team of mountaineers.

In another event designed to raise awareness about the climate change, the tiny island Republic of Maldives on the Indian Ocean held its Cabinet meeting underwater in October.

The world climate summit opens in Copenhagen next week.