The Government of Nepal is preparing to introduce a new mountaineering regulation that would require climbers to successfully summit a mountain above 7,000 metres before being eligible to attempt Mount Everest, in a move aimed at enhancing climber safety and reducing congestion on the world’s highest peak. The proposed provision will be incorporated into the country’s upcoming Tourism Act and its accompanying regulations, according to Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel.
New legal provision to strengthen mountaineering safety
Responding to questions during discussions on his ministry’s allocated budget in the National Assembly on Monday, Minister Paudel said the government is finalising legal reforms that would prevent climbers from attempting Everest without prior experience on a mountain exceeding 7,000 metres.
He said the proposed measure is intended to ensure that mountaineers possess sufficient high-altitude experience before undertaking an expedition to Everest, where increasing numbers of climbers have raised concerns about safety and environmental management.
Concern over growing pressure on Everest
Minister Paudel acknowledged that the rising number of climbers on Everest has generated legitimate concerns about overcrowding and the long-term sustainability of mountaineering activities on the mountain.
He noted that continued growth in expedition numbers without appropriate management could pose risks to both climber safety and the conservation of Everest. “The concern that Everest may not remain safe if climbing pressure continues to increase is a natural one,” the minister said.
Government seeks to diversify tourism
Beyond mountaineering, Minister Paudel stressed that Nepal should not rely solely on the Himalayas as the country’s primary tourism attraction. He said the government is preparing broader strategies to promote multiple dimensions of tourism, emphasizing that sustainable tourism development requires diversification into other sectors, including cultural, religious, adventure, nature-based and rural tourism. According to the minister, promoting only one segment of tourism is insufficient to ensure long-term sustainability, and the government plans to introduce policies that expand Nepal’s tourism offerings.
Strong inflow of Indian tourists
The minister also said that while achieving the government’s overall tourist arrival targets remains challenging, Nepal is currently witnessing a significant increase in visitors from India. He noted that Indian tourists continue to play a vital role in supporting Nepal’s tourism industry and contribute substantially to the country’s visitor economy.
Collaborative approach to tourism promotion
Minister Paudel said the government intends to strengthen tourism promotion through close collaboration with the private sector, non-governmental organizations, development partners and the Nepali diaspora. He expressed confidence that coordinated efforts among all stakeholders would help expand Nepal’s international tourism market, improve destination promotion and support the sustainable growth of the country’s tourism industry.
