Nepal makes 97 mountains free to climb as Everest fees rise

Nepal 97 will make the free Himalayas to climb to the next two years in an attempt to enhance tourism in some remote areas.

It comes as permits to the top of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, during the peak season It rises to $ 15,000 (11,170 pounds) from September – the first increase in nearly a decade.

Nepal Tourism Department said it hopes that the initiative will shed light on “unexplored tourism products and destinations.”

Mountaineering is born an important source of revenue for Nepal, which is home to eight of the 10 longest mountains in the world. The climbing fees brought $ 5.9 million last year, with Everest represents more than three quarters.

The peaks that will be waived in Karnali and Sodurpaschim provinces are located in Nepal, which ranges between 5,970 meters (19590 feet) and a height of 7132 meters.

Both provinces, located in the distant region of Nepal, are among the poorest and less developed provinces in the country.

“Despite their amazing beauty, the number of tourists and mountain climbers here is very low because access is very difficult. We hope it will help the new ruling,” said Himal Gotam, Director of Tourism Department in Nepal.

“They can create job opportunities, generate income, and enhance the local economy,” said Kathmandu Post.

But it is not clear whether the authorities have plans to improve infrastructure and communicate these remote areas-and how societies in these areas can deal with the flow of climbers, if the free initiative is launched.

The climbers have not shown great interest in these 97 -year -olds – 68 of whom have been ventured there in the past two years. On the other hand, about 421 climbing permits were issued for Everst in 2024 alone.

Everest, the highest in the world with more than 8849 meters, in recent years, has been overly overwhelmed, Environmental concerns And a series of Deadly climbing attempts.

In April 2024, Nepal’s Supreme Court ordered the government to limit the number of mountain climbing permits issued to Everters and several other peaks, saying that the mountain capacity “must be respected.”

In January this year, the authorities announced a 36 % mark in permits fees. For those who are trying to top out of the peak in April to the May season, it will now cost $ 7500 to climb Everest during September to November and $ 3750 in December to February.

Nepal Parliament is also discussing a new law that requires anyone who wants to expand the range of Efrest to summarize Jabal more than 7,000 meters in the country.

This makes the peaks in Karnali and Sodurpaschim “perfect training reasons,” according to the Kathmandu Post.