Sagarmatha Feats Put Nepal On Map

Hundreds of climbers from around the world have returned home by now after having attempted to reach the summit of Sagarmatha (Everest) and many other mountains in Nepal, while others are about to conclude their journey.  Several foreign as well as Nepali climbers have also set a few new records on the world’s tallest peak. As many as 468 climbers belonging to about four dozen teams from many countries had received a permit to attempt the world’s tallest (8,848.86m) peak alone for this spring. 

Because Nepal’s mountaineering activities have gained prominence in international media, the country has been highlighted globally as a leading destination for mountaineers and other adventurers. The mountainous nation is home to more than 1,000 peaks, including eight out of the world’s 14 mountains above 8,000 metres. The country has so far opened 476 peaks for climbing. 

Congenial weather

In Nepal, spring (March-May) is regarded as the main season for climbers to climb mountains because of its congenial weather and moderate temperatures. Adventurers find it more convenient to climb peaks and trek during this season when there are fewer chances of heavy snowfall and avalanches. This is the reason why the country receives a large number of mountaineers this season. Mountain tourism is a major segment of the country’s tourism industry, with hundreds of thousands of international travellers visiting the nation every year to explore adventure potentials and experience the matchless scenic beauty and cultural diversity. 

Traditionally, Nepal has lured more climbers from various European countries, the United States, South Korea, Australia, among others. Over the past couple of years, there has been a growing trend among climbers from India and Gulf countries to attempt Mt. Everest and other mountains in Nepal. With a gradual rise in the number of affluent population in India, many Indians have now been found interested in scaling mountains. Several well-off persons from various Gulf nations also visit Nepal to climb Mt. Everest and other peaks every year. Sagarmatha has been one of the major tourist attractions in the country. More than 9,000 climbers from different parts of the globe have climbed Sagarmatha as of now.    

Nepal makes millions of rupees in climbing permit royalty fees annually. The amount of revenues collected by the federal government is expected to increase significantly from this year as the rate of royalty fees has been revised noticeably. According to the revised mountaineering rule, the royalty fee for foreigners attempting Mt. Everest from the normal south route in the spring season has been increased to US$15,000 from US$11,000 per person. Similarly, the climbing fee for the autumn season (September-November) has been raised to US$7,500 from US$5,500 per person. 

Likewise, the government has increased per per-person permit fee for the winter (December-February) and monsoon (June-August) seasons to US$3,750 from US$2,750. The revised rule also makes it mandatory for every two climbers to hire a mountain guide to attempt any mountain above 8,000 metres. The revised royalty fee structure will come into effect from the upcoming September 1. 

With a steady rise in the number of Nepali climbers climbing Mt. Everest and other mountains, the government has increased the permit royalty fee for them as well. Each Nepali climber willing to use the normal route to Sagarmatha’s summit in spring now needs to pay Rs. 150,000. Earlier, they had to pay Rs. 75,000 only. Another feature of the revised mountaineering regulations is that it has increased the insurance coverage of high-altitude workers significantly. This revision is expected to be helpful for the protection of Sherpas and other support staff. They have to take on great risks during expeditions. Besides, the government has come up with provisions for rescue teams and clean-up campaigners to collect trash and human bodies up to Camp IV of Mt. Everest.  For this, they do not require any permit. This provision is anticipated to be helpful for mountaineers as well as rescue teams. 

As Mt. Everest and a few other mountains remain overcrowded with climbers and support staff, especially in spring, the fragile mountain ecology gets threatened. Everest Base Camp sees nearly 2,000 people, including climbers, mountain guides and other aides, during this season. Although the federal and local governments seem to have taken some measures to conserve the mountain environment, they are not sufficient to do so. One of the main reasons behind the increase in the royalty fee structure is to check the environmental degradation in the Himalayas. Government authorities appear to have given due attention towards managing garbage and human waste. 

Death toll

It may be recalled here that in 2024, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a mandamus order telling the government to control expeditions to Mt. Everest, considering an alarming rise in the number of climbers and support staff. Records show that over 200 people lost their lives on the Nepali side of the mountain from 1953 to 2022. The International Sagarmatha Day is organised on May 29 every year to commemorate the first human ascent of the mountain. Legendary mountaineer from New Zealand, Edmund Hillary, and Nepali climber Tenzing Norgay Sherpa made it to the summit of the world’s highest peak on May 29, 1953. The day should be celebrated to raise public awareness about the importance of conserving Sagarmatha and the Himalayas.

Hillary’s call

Like environmentalists, late Hillary was quite concerned about the ecological degradation of Mt. Everest when he was in Kathmandu in May 2003 to grace the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the first ascent of the mountain. Addressing the historic event, Hillary had requested the Nepal government to stop issuing permits and give the mountain a rest for a few years. Even when it is not possible for the government to halt expeditions to the mountain, it must take this matter seriously and come up with a more effective plan to conserve the Himalayas. Hillary’s message is in alignment with the ‘Call For Action’ endorsed by the first edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad.

(The author is a former deputy executive editor of this daily.)