POKHARA, Dec 10: The third Mountain Festival has kicked off at the International Moutain Museum at Pokhara on Saturday. 

Minister for Population and Environment Jayadev Joshi inaugurated the two-day event organized by the Nepal Mountaineering Association. 

On the occasion, Minister Joshi said that the mountainous region had played an important role in promotion of tourism in Nepal. 

Similarly, Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Shakar Prasad Adhikari underscored leverage the eight of the 14 peaks above 80,000 metres that are in Nepal to promote tourism. 

Likewise, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Nepal W.S. Pedera stated that Sri Lanka and Nepal shared centuries old ties. 

She informed that a direct flight between Sri Lanka and Nepal had been in operation for three months with a view of facilitating transportation and tourism. 

There are altogether 40 stalls in the Festival, display various aspects of the hilly and mountainous life.
Traditional games as archery and Chello will be held during the event.