The Mountain Institute (TMI) in Nepal now has two directors, both Nepal hands: Lhakpa N Sherpa and Brian J Peniston are joint directors of the Himal Program at the TMI. Catherine Nixon Cooke, TMI CEO said the Nepal program of the international NGO is the biggest component and needed two directors. Sherpa was the project manager of the TMI's Quomolongma Conservation Project, and joined the organisation in 2000. Peniston has worked for the TMI since 1996, serving as Nepal's regional manager directing the organisations' work in the Makalu Barun National Park. Established in 1972, the US-based TMI came to Nepal in 1986 to begin conservation work in and around the Everest region. Last year it handed over the Makalu Barun project to the local community. The Chomulongma project is already halfway through its five-year period. Peniston told us TMI's future plans include conservation work at Jaljale and Milke Danda between the Makalu Barun and Kangchenjunga.