KATHMANDU: A total of 1,410 climbers from 76 countries have obtained permits from the Department of Tourism to scale 44 mountains in Nepal during the autumn season.
Department section officer Sudha Regmi said the climbers include 341 women and 1,069 men, forming 161 expedition teams.
The department has collected Rs 318 million in royalties from the climbing permits issued this autumn.
Mount Manaslu (8,163 metres) has received the highest number of permits, with 500 climbers — 127 women and 373 men — from 43 teams. The royalty collected from permits for Manaslu stands at Rs 222.08 million.
Similarly, 37 climbers from six teams have obtained permits to scale Dhaulagiri I, generating Rs 8.47 million in royalties.
Three climbers from a single team have been granted permits to climb Mount Makalu, generating Rs 688,050 in royalties, according to Regmi.
Furthermore, 121 climbers from 12 teams have obtained permits for Himlung Himal, with the department collecting Rs 7,427,720 in royalties. Likewise, 386 climbers from 32 teams are preparing to scale Mount Ama Dablam, contributing Rs 57,699,650 to government revenue.
According to Regmi, permits have also been issued for several other mountains, including Putha Hiunchuli, Daanga Hiunchuli, Baruntse Peak, Gangapurna West (Langchenel), Thorong Peak, Norbu Khang, Annapurna IV, Chamlang, Lamjung Peak, Pumori, Saribung, Thapa Peak (Dhampus), Pokhar Khang, Ardang, Jugal and Peri.
China accounts for the largest number of climbers, with 141 people obtaining permits for autumn expeditions. The department has also issued permits to 130 climbers from France, 119 from the United States, 108 from Russia, 96 from the United Kingdom, 47 each from Poland and Switzerland, 40 from India, 35 from Japan, 33 from Nepal and 31 from Spain. Italy accounts for another 47 climbers, according to the department.
Comment