About Me
I am Akkal Bahadur Aidi, Mountaineering academic, founder of AMRC and Himalayan Gazette working at the intersection of health, environment, and tourism.
My story begins in a remote mountain village in western Nepal, where healthcare was scarce, opportunities were limited, and the mountains shaped every part of life. I grew up watching neighbors suffer from simple, treatable illnesses, and I lost a close relative to a minor infection because no health worker was nearby. These early experiences shaped my purpose.
After completing my School Leaving Certificate (SLC), I moved to Nepalgunj, Banke to pursue meaningful education; something that could directly help my community. I studied General Medicine (Health Assistant) under CTEVT, hoping to bridge the healthcare gap I had seen all my life. During this journey, I learned how inequality, geogrphy, and lack of infrastructure create deep vulnerabilities in Nepal’s remote regions.
But as I worked and observed more, another reality became clear.
Nepal’s global mountaineering reputation is built on the strength, skill, and courage of Sherpas and mountain workers; the real heroes of the Himalayas. Their traditional knowledge of weather, terrain, and rescue has saved countless lives. Yet most of them have no academic recognition, no formal titles, and limited representation in research and policy. Their names often remain invisible despite their extraordinary contributions.
This unjust gap inspired me to join the Bachelor in Mountaineering Studies (BMS) at Nepal Mountain Academy. I wanted to understand mountains not only as landscapes but as living systems connected to culture, identity, risk, and livelihood. Similarly, to help bring academic respect to those who have carried Nepal’s mountaineering legacy for generations.
During my BMS studies, I realized that the challenges in Nepal’s mountains go far beyond climbing: fragile ecosystems, disappearing cultural knowledge, environmental change, and a lack of proper documentation threaten both nature and communities. This motivated me to continue into the Master of Science in Mountain and Mountaineering Science(Msc MMS)
Why Snow, Glaciers, Mountains, and Water Systems Matter to Me
My MSc MMS work focuses on snow, glaciers, mountain ecosystems, and water systems the foundations of Himalayan life. These systems supply water, influence climate, support agriculture, shape tourism, and determine the safety of mountain communities. Today, they are under increasing pressure due to climate change.
Glacier retreat, shifting snowfall patterns, and unstable river flows affect:
community health
tourism and livelihoods
disaster risk
cultural practices
long-term sustainability
Understanding these changes is not just scientific work. it is essential for protecting people, culture, and nature.
How I See My Work
Today, I work as an academic who bridges traditional knowledge and modern science. I study how environmental change meets human experience, and how tourism, culture, and development can move toward sustainability. My work includes research, documentation, teaching, and building partnerships that respect communities and ecosystems.
Sometimes, I go beyond the boundaries of my own field.
Not to escape it, but to explore deeper, ask better questions, and understand what truly matters.
I believe knowledge should serve people.
I am always open to meaningful conversations about tourism, development, nature, or society; especially when grounded in real life and existing theory.
And you are always welcome to talk
and even more welcome to Nepal.
My Platforms
To support my mission, I founded two initiatives:
🔹 AMRC – Aidi Media and Research Consultancy
Helping partners understand Nepal through ethical research, evidence-based insights, and culturally grounded storytelling.
🔹 Himalayan Gazette
A digital space where stories, research, and ideas explore the changing face of the Himalayas.
Through these efforts, I hope to help researchers, policymakers, businesses, students, and curious travelers engage with Nepal in a way that is informed, respectful, and meaningful.
Let’s create a future where the Himalayas are not only visited but understood and cared for.