Kathmandu: Nepal is set to introduce stricter requirements for Everest climbers. The draft law mandates that only those with experience scaling at least one of the Himalayan nation’s 7,000-metre (22,965-foot) peaks will be eligible for a permit.
The law aims at improving safety and reducing overcrowding on the world’s highest mountain. The move follows mounting criticism that Nepal has allowed too many inexperienced climbers to attempt the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) summit, resulting in dangerous congestion and higher fatality rates in the perilous “death zone,” where natural oxygen levels are too low for human survival.
Overcrowding has been linked to the rising number of fatalities on Everest. In 2023, at least 12 climbers died and another five went missing after Nepal issued a record 478 climbing permits. The year before, eight climbers lost their lives on the mountain.
Officials say the new rules will require climbers to prove they have successfully summited at least one 7,000-metre peak in Nepal. Additionally, the law stipulates that the Sardar (chief of local staff) and mountain guides accompanying expeditions must be Nepali citizens.
The draft law has been registered in the National Assembly, where the ruling coalition holds a majority needed to pass the bill. Climbing, trekking, and tourism are vital to Nepal’s economy, generating crucial foreign exchange.
As Everest’s popularity continues to surge, the government faces the challenge of ensuring climbers’ safety without deterring international expeditions that fuel the tourism sector.
If passed, the law would mark a significant shift in how Nepal manages access to its most iconic peak, with far-reaching implications for climbers, guides, and the broader mountaineering industry.
