Latest news with #BadriPrasadPandey
News18
29-05-2025
- Business
- News18
One-Day Ban On Indian Vehicles Triggers Traffic Chaos At India-Nepal Border
Last Updated: The sudden shutdown has frustrated traders and locals along the border, hitting cross-border trade hard, especially in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar In a move that has caused significant disruption, the Nepal government has decided to close all customs offices for a day in observance of its budget day. This decision has brought the movement of Indian vehicles at the India-Nepal border to a complete standstill, leading to long queues and considerable inconvenience for Indian tourists and traders. The closure may also impact the historically strong ' Roti-Beti ' relationship and trade relations between the two nations. The suspension of Nepal's customs operations has prevented Indian vehicles from completing the necessary road permit and customs formalities to cross the border, resulting in the halt of vehicles with Indian number plates. Border officials have clarified that the closure is temporary and that normal activities will resume the following day. However, the sudden shutdown has caused frustration among traders and local residents along the border, particularly affecting trade in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. An Indian trader stranded at the border expressed concerns over financial losses due to the inability to transport goods into Nepal. Tourists have also been inconvenienced by the abrupt closure, which has disrupted their travel plans. This situation raises questions about the recent statements made by Nepal's Tourism Minister, Badri Prasad Pandey, who had discussed the implementation of an integrated system to facilitate Indian tourists. The open border and close cultural ties between India and Nepal have historically allowed citizens to visit each other's countries without a visa. However, customs duties and road permit regulations still apply. In recent years, Nepal has increased customs duties on Indian vehicles, such as the hike in 2019 from Rs 113 to Rs 150 for two-wheelers. In 2024, a new rule requiring Indian vehicles to pay an additional Rs 1600 for road permits was met with opposition from traders. Earlier the India-Nepal border was completely closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, causing significant difficulties for traders and citizens. Additionally, border disputes such as the one over Kalapani have strained relations. While the tradition of closing customs offices on Nepal's Budget Day is not new, its impact is more pronounced this year due to stricter security and inspection processes at the border. First Published: May 29, 2025, 10:54 IST
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
More restrictions on the way for Everest hopefuls after Nepal promises to protect the Himalayas from climate change and overcrowding
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Climbers hoping to scale Mount Everest could soon face even more rules and regulations after Nepal's government vowed to keep the Himalayas clean and safe from the dangers of overcrowding and climate change. Speaking to more than 100 climbers at the Everest Summiteers Summit, Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey said Nepal had a duty to protect the Himalayas. 'The government is strongly committed to support mountaineering in every possible way by keeping climbers safe, by protecting the natural beauty of our peaks and by helping local communities grow alongside the spirit of adventure,' said Pandey. Summit attendees had complained about a growing number of climbers on the world's tallest mountain and the mess they leave behind. Overcrowding has become a major issue on Everest, as most climbs are attempted in a short window from March to May. Queues to the summit, abundant litter, and abandoned human waste have all mired the Himalayan peak in recent years. One sherpa told the BBC: "Our mountains have begun to stink. We are getting complaints that human stools are visible on rocks and some climbers are falling sick." Everest's highest camp is estimated to house around 88,000lb (39,916kg) to 110,000lb (49,895kg) of garbage. Due to the extreme conditions and weight limitations, climbers often abandon tents, gas cannisters, and other items just under 3,000ft (915m), beneath the summit at the South Sol camp. Nepal's government has already taken several steps to combat these issues. In January, it announced a 36% increase in climbing fees for foreign climbers on the mountain, raising the overseas royalty fee to $15,000 (£11,204) rather than the previous total of $11,000 (£8,217). In a bid to discourage inexperienced climbers, legislation announced in April, which is currently making its way through Nepal's parliament, would also restrict permits to climbers who have already scaled at least one of Nepal's 7,000m (22,965ft) peaks. Medical check-ups from a government-approved hospital or medical facility would also be mandatory. 'These mountains are sacred, and it is our duty to protect them for the generations yet to come," continued Pandey. The minister also promised to tackle the devastating effects of climate change in the Himalayas. Earlier at the summit, he said: "Today, climate change and global warming are putting this future at risk. That is why we must act with care, with wisdom and with a deep sense of respect." The Himalayan region has experienced a dramatic drop in snowfall in recent years. This year alone, snow persistence (the time snow stays on the ground) in the Himalayas has reached a 23-year low. The dangers were apparent to lawmakers and experts in a recent fly-by, where they witnessed a drastic reduction in snow coverage on Everest and other Himalayan peaks. "In the past, wherever you looked, you would see snow-covered mountains. But now, black rocky hills have started to appear. The mountains that once looked completely white now appear as black peaks," Nepal's Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, told the Asia News Network. Our senior staff writer Julia Clarke has been trekking to Everest base camp over the last week and arrived there today. You can follow her exploits here, along with all our summit season coverage, or on the Advnture Instagram account. The best crampons: tested for sure-footed traction on frozen terrain The best ice axes: for tackling frozen terrain
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- The Hindu
Nepal vows to keep the Himalayas safe and clean as it hosts conference for Everest climbers
Nepal's Government said on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) it has a 'duty to protect' the Himalayas from the risks presented by climate change and the growing numbers of climbers attempting to scale the region's summits, especially Everest. 'The government is strongly committed to supporting mountaineering in every possible way by keeping climbers safe, by protecting the natural beauty of our peaks and by helping local communities grow alongside the spirit of adventure,' Nepal's Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey said. He was speaking in Kathmandu at a gathering of about 100 climbers from around the world who have successfully tackled Mount Everest. The one-day conference, dubbed the Everest Summiteers Summit, involved discussions on how to protect climbers and the environment. Attendees expressed concern about the rising number of people who crowd Everest to try to scale the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak. Veterans have complained that the mountain is becoming crowded and dirty. Climbers normally spend weeks at base camp to acclimatise to the higher altitude. They make practice runs to the lower camps on Everest before beginning their final attempt on the peak. Nepal's Government last year funded a team of soldiers and Sherpas to remove 11 tons (24,000 pounds) of garbage, four dead bodies and a skeleton from Everest during the climbing season. 'Today, climate change and global warming are putting this future at risk. That is why we must act with care, with wisdom, and with a deep sense of respect,' Mr. Pandey said. 'These mountains are sacred, and it is our duty to protect them for the generations yet to come.' Nepal doesn't have rules on how many days climbers must spend acclimatising or making practice climbs. The permits to climb Everest, which cost $11,000 each, are valid for 90 days. Climbing season normally wraps up by the end of May, when the weather deteriorates and monsoon season begins. Mount Everest was conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay. Since then, it has been climbed thousands of times, and every year, hundreds more attempt to reach the summit. The popularity of the challenge means climbers face increased risks as queues form on the routes to the summit during the short windows of good weather. Crowding the narrow and dangerous path to the summit through icy ridges and steep slopes. There is also concern over the levels of experience of some climbers, who put themselves at risk as well as making climbs dangerous for others. 'The biggest issue and concern at the moment is overcrowding,' said Adriana Brownlee, the youngest woman to climb the world's 14 highest peaks. 'We need to make sure that those (people on the mountain) are all experienced in the mountaineering world. So that if they are struggling (or) they are on their own and something happens, they know how to save themselves'. Nepalese climber Purnima Shrestha said attempts to climb Mount Everest has become too commercialized. 'But not all the people there are physically and emotionally ready to climb the peak, that is being disrespectful to Everest,' she said. 'This is the reason why there's all the traffic jams on the way to the peak'.
Asharq Al-Awsat
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Nepal Vows to Keep Himalayas Safe and Clean as it Hosts Conference for Everest Climbers
Nepal's government said on Tuesday it has a 'duty to protect' the Himalayas from the risks presented by climate change and the growing numbers of climbers attempting to scale the region's summits, especially Everest. 'The government is strongly committed to support mountaineering in every possible way by keeping climbers safe, by protecting the natural beauty of our peaks and by helping local communities grow alongside the spirit of adventure,' Nepal's tourism minister Badri Prasad Pandey said. He was speaking in Kathmandu at a gathering of about 100 climbers from around the world who have successfully tackled Mount Everest. The one-day conference, dubbed the Everest Summiteers Summit, involved discussions on how to protect climbers and the environment. Attendees expressed concern on the rising numbers of people who crowd Everest to try to scale the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak. Veterans have complained how the mountain is becoming crowded and dirty. Climbers normally spend weeks at base camp to acclimatize to the higher altitude. They make practice runs to the lower camps on Everest before beginning their final attempt on the peak. Nepal's government last year funded a team of soldiers and Sherpas to remove 11 tons (24,000 pounds) of garbage, four dead bodies and a skeleton from Everest during the climbing season. "Today, climate change and global warming are putting this future at risk. That is why we must act with care, with wisdom and with a deep sense of respect,' The Associated Press quoted Pandey as saying. 'These mountains are sacred, and it is our duty to protect them for the generations yet to come.' Nepal doesn't have rules on how many days climbers must spend acclimatizing or making practice climbs. The permits to climb Everest, which cost $11,000 each, are valid for 90 days. Climbing season normally wraps up by the end of May, when the weather deteriorates and monsoon season begins. Mount Everest was conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay. Since then, it has been climbed thousands of times and every year hundreds more attempt to reach the summit. The popularity of the challenge means climbers face increased risks as queues form on the routes to the summit during the short windows of good weather. crowding the narrow and dangerous path to the summit though icy ridges and steep slopes. There is also concern over the levels of experience of some climbers, who put themselves at risk as well as making climbs dangerous for others. 'The biggest issue and concern at the moment is overcrowding,' said Adriana Brownlee, the youngest woman to climb the world's 14 highest peaks. 'We need to make sure that those (people on the mountain) are all experienced in the mountaineering world. So that if they are struggling (or) they are on their own and something happens, they know how to save themselves.' Nepalese climber Purnima Shrestha said attempts to climb Mount Everest has become too commercialized. 'But not all the people there are physical and emotionally ready to climb the peak, that is being disrespectful to Everest,' she said. 'This is the reason why there's all the traffic jams on the way to the peak.'
Nahar Net
27-05-2025
- Nahar Net
Nepal vows to keep Himalayas safe and clean as it hosts Everest climbers conference
by Naharnet Newsdesk 27 May 2025, 15:11 Nepal's government said on Tuesday it has a "duty to protect" the Himalayas from the risks presented by climate change and the growing numbers of climbers attempting to scale the region's summits, especially Everest. "The government is strongly committed to support mountaineering in every possible way by keeping climbers safe, by protecting the natural beauty of our peaks and by helping local communities grow alongside the spirit of adventure," Nepal's tourism minister Badri Prasad Pandey said. He was speaking in Kathmandu at a gathering of about 100 climbers from around the world who have successfully tackled Mount Everest. The one-day conference, dubbed the Everest Summiteers Summit, involved discussions on how to protect climbers and the environment. Attendees expressed concern on the rising numbers of people who crowd Everest to try to scale the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak. Veterans have complained how the mountain is becoming crowded and dirty. Climbers normally spend weeks at base camp to acclimatize to the higher altitude. They make practice runs to the lower camps on Everest before beginning their final attempt on the peak. Nepal's government last year funded a team of soldiers and Sherpas to remove 11 tons (24,000 pounds) of garbage, four dead bodies and a skeleton from Everest during the climbing season. "Today, climate change and global warming are putting this future at risk. That is why we must act with care, with wisdom and with a deep sense of respect," Pandey said. "These mountains are sacred, and it is our duty to protect them for the generations yet to come." Nepal doesn't have rules on how many days climbers must spend acclimatizing or making practice climbs. The permits to climb Everest, which cost $11,000 each, are valid for 90 days. Climbing season normally wraps up by the end of May, when the weather deteriorates and monsoon season begins. Mount Everest was conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay. Since then it has been climbed thousands of times and every year hundreds more attempt to reach the summit. The popularity of the challenge means climbers face increased risks as queues form on the routes to the summit during the short windows of good weather. crowding the narrow and dangerous path to the summit though icy ridges and steep slopes. There is also concern over the levels of experience of some climbers, who put themselves at risk as well as making climbs dangerous for others. "The biggest issue and concern at the moment is overcrowding," said Adriana Brownlee, the youngest woman to climb the world's 14 highest peaks. "We need to make sure that those (people on the mountain) are all experienced in the mountaineering world. So that if they are struggling (or) they are on their own and something happens, they know how to save themselves." Nepalese climber Purnima Shrestha said attempts to climb Mount Everest has become too commercialized. "But not all the people there are physical and emotionally ready to climb the peak, that is being disrespectful to Everest," she said. "This is the reason why there's all the traffic jams on the way to the peak."
