Nepal extends Everest climbing permits till 2019

After dilly-dallying for months Nepal has finally decided to extend climbing permits of all mountaineers who failed to make attempts on Everest and two other nearby peaks during last year's spring season.

Updated on: Mar 20, 2015, 14:32:48 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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After dilly-dallying for months Nepal has finally decided to extend climbing permits of all mountaineers who failed to make attempts on Everest and two other nearby peaks during last year's spring season.

Over 450 climbers including 334 attempting Everest were forced to abandon attempts at the Himalayan peaks last year after 16 Sherpa guides were killed in an avalanche on the world's highest peak in April.

On Thursday, Nepal government agreed to amend mountaineering rules and allow the climbers to use last year's permits for fresh attempts this year or anytime till 2019.

"The decision will enable the climbers to make individual attempts on Everest and other peaks or join as members of other expeditions," said tourism ministry spokesperson Mohan Krishna Shrestha.

The government's move, which comes just weeks ahead of the spring climbing season this year, has been welcomed by expedition agencies. But the delay in the announcement could affect footfalls on Everest this May.

Major operators like Peak Freaks (Canada), High Adventure Expeditions (USA) have decided to cancel 2015 Everest expeditions and some others are planning to climb the peak from the Tibet side.

Nepal earns nearly $ 3-4 million annually as royalty from climbers on Everest and other Himalayan peaks, but last year's tragedy raised issues about rules and safety of the Sherpa guides accompanying the expeditions.

Nepal agreed to increase life and medical insurance cover for the Sherpa guides and also provide better rescue, relief and weather forecasting facilities at the Everest Base Camp.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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