Nepal issues death/missing certificate for missing Bengal mountaineer

The Nepal government has issued a certificate declaring as "dead/missing" West Bengal mountaineer Chhanda Gayen who went traceless during an expedition on Kanchenjunga last month, her brother said Friday.

"The Nepal government has a policy of issuing a death/missing certificate for persons who have been missing for three days while on expeditions. I have collected the certificate from Nepal," Jyotirmoy Gayen told media persons here.

Chhanda, along with two of her sherpas, went missing May 20 on the Kanchenjunga West, also known as Mt Yulan Kang, the world's third highest mountain peak near the Nepal-India-China triangle.

Jyotirmoy, who along with mountaineer Dipak Ghosh had gone to Nepal to oversee the search operations, also justified calling off the rescue bid saying it would be a waste of money.

"Rescue operation at this point of time is nothing but a waste of money and a futile effort. The Bengal government has done a lot, while the Nepal government has been quite warm and cooperative," said Jyotirmoy upon his arrival in the city.

While initial reports suggested Chhanda and the accompanying sherpas were caught in an avalanche May 19, Nag Tashi Sherpa, a member of the expedition team later claimed the trio fell while climbing in inclement weather despite being advised to desist.

"She was cautioned but she didn't heed any advice," Tashi had claimed about Chhanda - the second civilian woman from the state to scale Mount Everest.