Edmund Hillary climbed Mount Everest in 1953 with his partner Tenzing Norgay. His relationship with the Himalaya has, if anything, deepened in the 35 intervening years. Sir Edmund, presently New Zealand's envoy to India and Nepal, talked recently in Kathmandu to HIMAL
Himal: Some say that there is little commonality among the Himalayan peoples. Do you agree?
Hillary: There is an enormous variety, of course. But there is a lot in common among the mountain communities. There is a strong relationship between the peoples, be they Rais, Gurungs, Tamangs or Sherpas. By and large, they have confidence in their relationship with the mountain environment. Otherwise they would not live here.
Himal: After decades of observation, do you find cause for concern about life and environment here?