Latest news with #NepalMountaineeringAssociation
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Nepal waives climbing fees for 97 mountain peaks
Nepal has waived climbing fees for 97 mountains, officials said on Wednesday (August 13, 2025), hoping to steer people to its lesser-known peaks and boost local economies. Climbers pay for permits on Nepali peaks and the fees vary depending on the mountain's height and popularity, with heftier charges for those such as Everest. The 97 mountains, ranging in height from 5,870 metres (19,300 feet) to 7,132 metres, are located in the western Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. "We hope it will bring our hidden treasures in the limelight and diversify the mountains Nepal offers," Himal Gautam, of Nepal's tourism department, told AFP. It follows a busy spring climbing season in Nepal during which the government issued 1,168 climbing permits. Over half of those were for peaks above 8,000 metres, including Everest, the tallest in the world at 8,849 metres. In contrast, others saw little climbing activity and generated minimal revenue from so-called royalty fees. "These remote areas have immense tourism potential and we hope the local economy can benefit," said Gautam. Nima Nuru Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, welcomed the decision but said much more was needed to drive interest in remote mountains. "Royalty fees alone is not keeping mountaineers [away] from these areas. We need to develop the infrastructure and manpower required for running expeditions there," Sherpa said. Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of climbers every year during the spring and autumn climbing seasons. A boom in climbers has made mountaineering a lucrative business since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa made the first Everest ascent in 1953. In February, Nepal increased permit fees for Everest from $11,000 to $15,000 starting next spring, hoping it will help tackle pollution and boost safety.
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Nepal waives climbing fees for 97 mountain peaks
A view of Mount Everest from Gokyo Valley. - Photo: Shutterstock KATHMANDU: Nepal has waived climbing fees for 97 mountains, officials said on Wednesday (Aug 13), hoping to steer people to its lesser-known peaks and boost local economies. Climbers pay for permits on Nepali peaks and the fees vary depending on the mountain's height and popularity, with heftier charges for those such as Everest. The 97 mountains, ranging in height from 5,870 metres (19,300 feet) to 7,132 metres, are located in the western Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. "We hope it will bring our hidden treasures in the limelight and diversify the mountains Nepal offers," Himal Gautam, of Nepal's tourism department, told AFP. It follows a busy spring climbing season in Nepal during which the government issued 1,168 climbing permits. Over half of those were for peaks above 8,000 metres, including Everest, the tallest in the world at 8,849 metres. In contrast, others saw little climbing activity and generated minimal revenue from so-called royalty fees. "These remote areas have immense tourism potential and we hope the local economy can benefit," said Gautam. Nima Nuru Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, welcomed the decision but said much more was needed to drive interest in remote mountains. "Royalty fees alone is not keeping mountaineers (away) from these areas. We need to develop the infrastructure and manpower required for running expeditions there," Sherpa said. Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of climbers every year during the spring and autumn climbing seasons. A boom in climbers has made mountaineering a lucrative business since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa made the first Everest ascent in 1953. In February, Nepal increased permit fees for Everest from US$11,000 to US$15,000 starting next spring, hoping it will help tackle pollution and boost safety. - AFP
Hindustan Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee appeals to Nepal to respect sanctity of Mt Kangchenjunga
Gangtok, The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee on Saturday appealed to the Nepal government and the Nepal Mountaineering Association to immediately halt a planned expedition to Mt Kangchenjunga, citing the mountain's deep spiritual and cultural significance to the indigenous communities of Sikkim. In two separate letters addressed to Nepal's tourism minister and the NMA president, SIBLAC urged the authorities to reconsider their decision to allow a joint mountaineering expedition involving climbers from India and Nepal, which is scheduled to begin from Nepal on June 18 under the aegis of India's National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports . According to SIBLAC, Mt Kangchenjunga is not merely a geographical landmark but a sacred entity, revered as a guardian deity by the Sikkimese people. The organisation noted that the mountain is central to the state's religious and cultural heritage, and is associated with annual prayers and ceremonies deeply rooted in local traditions. The letters further reference the 2001 notification by the Government of Sikkim, which banned mountaineering activities on the mountain out of respect for local beliefs. They also invoked provisions of Article 371F and Sikkim's special status within the Indian Constitution, emphasising the protection of indigenous customs and religious sentiments. SIBLAC warned that any expedition involving summiting Kangchenjunga, particularly from Nepal, could be perceived as a serious cultural violation, and called for the mountain to be treated with spiritual reverence rather than as a site for adventure tourism. The committee requested both governments to act with sensitivity and uphold the sacred status of the mountain. The appeal concluded with a request to halt the planned ascent and preserve the spiritual and environmental sanctity of the region, while respecting the sentiments of the Sikkimese people. SIBLAC had earlier urged the Sikkim government to enforce the standing prohibition on climbing Mt Kanchenjunga, citing the sacred status of the mountain and the legal protections already in place. It had condemned the summit attempt by a group of mountaineers in May.
