Nepal prepares to apply more rigorous rules to Evereste climbers to increase safety and protect the environment.
Nepal is preparing to implement a new legislation designed to make the rules for climbers who try to climb the famous Mount Evereste more rigorous.
According to the law, only climbers who have successfully cast at least one 7000 meter peak on Nepal will be eligible to obtain a license to climb the highest mountain in the world.
The measure is part of the Integrated Tourism Bill, presented in the Nepal Parliament on April 18, and aims to address longstanding concerns about overcrowding, safety and environmental degradation at Evereste. If approved by the National Assembly, the regulation can “cut” the number of candidates and turn the face of commercial climbing in the region.
In recent years, Evereste has recorded an increase in inexperienced climbers, which has dangerous results especially in the call “Death Zone” – The section of the rise above 8000 meters, where oxygen levels are critically low. Traffic jams have increased in the area and have led to more accidents and deaths, as well as increasing environmental problems, including waste and abandoned mountain equipment.
Licenses to climb Evereste are a source of fundamental revenue for Nepal: they cost about 14 thousand euros per person. From September this year, the government plans to increase this rate in 36%according to.
The proposed prior experience in a 7000 meter peak has raised criticism from international expedition leaders. Austrian organizer Lukas Furtenbach has considered the rule too restrictive, arguing that it excludes popular preparatory climbing, such as Dablam, Aconcágua and Denali, which are less than 7000 meters or are located outside Nepal.
In addition to the prerequisite of climbing, the bill includes other reforms: a compulsory medical examination In an approved institution, prior disclosure of records of breaking records and the requirement that climbing guides will be Nepalese citizens – another controversial requirement since there is international certification (such as IFMGA) that allows you to guide climbers safely anywhere in the world.
