KATHMANDU: The government is preparing to introduce a new provision that would require climbers to first summit mountains above 7,000 metres before being allowed to attempt Mount Everest.
Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Minister Khadka Raj Paudel informed the National Assembly on Monday that the requirement will be included in a new tourism law and regulations currently under preparation.
Responding to questions during discussions on the ministry’s budget, the minister said the measure is aimed at reducing congestion on Everest and improving safety standards on the world’s highest peak.
He noted that the growing number of climbers on Everest has raised serious concerns about safety and environmental sustainability, stressing that unmanaged crowding could threaten the mountain’s long-term viability.
“It is natural to be concerned that increasing pressure on Everest could make it unsafe,” he said, adding that the government is working to diversify Nepal’s tourism beyond mountain climbing alone.
According to him, the tourism sector should not rely solely on Himalayan expeditions, and greater focus is being placed on developing alternative tourism destinations and experiences across the country.
Minister Paudel also acknowledged challenges in attracting tourists according to targets, but said Nepal is currently seeing strong inflows of Indian visitors.
He added that the government plans to promote tourism through coordinated efforts involving the public sector, private sector, NGOs, development partners, and the Nepali diaspora.
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