Nepali woman in Antarctica expedition

Swati Lohia‚ representing Nepal in the ‘Antarctica Expedition 2013’ is all set for her journey to commence on February 28. The expedition is part of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the first ascent of Mount Everest.

At a send-off programme today‚ Secretary‚ Ministry of Industry‚ Krishna Gyawali handed over the Nepali national flag to Swati to take along with her to Antarctica. The acting CEO of Nepal Tourism Board‚ Subash Nirola also handed a flag with a golden jubilee anniversary message‚ to Lohia to carry for her expedition.

The expedition aims to create awareness about climate change and is being organised by Robert Swan’s Antarctica Expedition on Climate Change‚ in partnership with Coca Cola Nepal. The expedition will end on March 13.

As the country’s tourism ambassador‚ she will spread the message celebration of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Ascent of Mount Everest.

In a press release‚ Coca-cola said the expedition will help the company sustain business in countries where it operates. It also said it has undertaken programmes to work with local partners and communities on issues like water and sanitation‚ environmental protection and promotion of healthy lifestyle. The expedition’s participants will visit the unique landscape and see the wildlife on the continent and observe how climate change has rendered its ecosystem vulnerable‚ the press statement said.

source: The Himalayan Times, 26 feb 2013