Govt raises Rs 773.58 million as permit fee from 1,127 climbers

KATHMANDU: The government has collected Rs 773.58 million in climbing permit fees for various mountain peaks during this spring season.

According to the Department of Tourism (DoT), the bulk of this revenue, Rs 676.09 million, came from permits issued for Mt Everest—the world’s highest peak.

A total of 456 climbers, including 84 women, from 45 expedition teams have received permits to scale Mt Everest this season. Climbers from India and the United States top the list with 83 permits each, followed by China (64), the United Kingdom (29) and Russia (25).

In addition to Mt Everest, the DoT has permitted 10 expedition teams for Ama Dablam, nine for Lhotse, eight for Makalu, seven for Kanchenjunga (Main), six each for Annapurna I and Nuptse, four each for Thorong Peak and Himlung Himal, three for Dhaulagiri, two for Thapa Peak, and one each for Pokhar Khang, Sharphu IV, Swellokhan, Annapurna IV, Kangbachen, Lingtren, Pumori, Saula, Saribung, Jugal V, Ghenye Liru, Barun Tse, Jugal III and Jannu.

A total of 1,127 climbers, including 240 females, from 119 expedition teams are attempting 27 mountain peaks this spring.

Meanwhile, the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) issues permits for 27 additional peaks, including the popular Mera Peak and Island Peak, which attract large numbers of climbers each year.

Nepal has opened a total of 461 peaks for commercial climbing.