Lawmakers seek tougher Everest climbing rules with
Several lawmakers have proposed significantly tightening the qualifications required to climb Mount Everest as Nepal’s Integrated Tourism Bill enters a parliamentary committee for clause-by-clause scrutiny.
A total of 58 lawmakers have registered 263 amendments to the bill before it returns to Parliament for final debate and voting.
Although the proposals differ in detail, they share a common objective: requiring climbers to prove their experience on lower peaks before being allowed to attempt the world’s highest mountain.
Lawmakers Shishir Khadka and Nitima Bhandari Karki have proposed issuing Everest permits only to climbers who have successfully climbed at least one mountain above 7,000 metres and two mountains above 8,000 metres in Nepal.
They have also proposed that all commercial mountaineering activities, expedition promotion and marketing, and the sale of expedition packages be carried out only through trekking agencies registered and licensed in Nepal.
“Foreign companies shall not be permitted to directly sell or operate such expeditions or packages,” their proposed amendment states.
The lawmakers have further proposed that the government determine the carrying capacity of each mountain before opening it for climbing.
“When opening any mountain in Nepal for climbing, the government shall determine the maximum number of climbers permitted on each mountain during every climbing season after considering the mountain’s physical carrying capacity, favourable weather windows, and the level of congestion likely to occur,” the proposal says.
It also recommends auctioning climbing permits within the prescribed quota by setting a minimum price and awarding the permits to the highest bidders.
Lawmaker Ganesh Karki has proposed that Everest permits be issued only after applicants provide documentary proof of successfully climbing at least one mountain above 7,000 metres and one above 8,000 metres in Nepal.
