‘No greater victory than protecting nature’: Nisha Kumari at Everest Summit 2025

Vadodara: Nisha Kumari, the first woman from Vadodara to summit Mount Everest, proudly represented India on Tuesday at the Everest Climbers' Summit 2025, held for the first time in Kathmandu, Nepal.Themed "Climb for Climate: Mountaineering for Environmental Conservation", the summit brought together climbers from around the world to raise awareness about climate change and promote sustainability.Nisha, who successfully summited Everest in 2023 in harsh conditions — suffering severe frostbite during her descent — delivered a powerful and inspiring address. Emphasizing the urgent need for environmental preservation, she declared, "There is no greater victory than protecting nature." She called for global unity in the fight against climate change, using the platform to call for immediate and collective action.Organized by Everest Alliance Nepal, the two-day summit saw over 200 climbers and mountaineering experts from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, China and the UAE. The event provided a space for sharing experiences and advocating sustainable adventure practices.Clad in a traditional sari and holding the Indian flag, Nisha captivated the audience with her passionate plea for environmental consciousness in mountaineering.Notably, despite the severe frostbite she endured during her 2023 expedition, Nisha took on another monumental challenge last year — a 16,000-km cycling journey from Vadodara to London. Traversing tough terrain across 16 countries, she raised awareness about climate change and afforestation. In each country, with the support of local communities and the Indian diaspora, she planted trees, turning her journey into a mission for environmental advocacy.Her coach and mentor, Nilesh Barot, played a crucial role in the success of both expeditions, offering steadfast support during the cycling challenge by accompanying her via a parallel motor vehicle route.