Site icon Fiscal Nepal

Govt introduces quota system in Everest climbing to prevent human traffic

KATHMANDU: Nepal Wednesday issued new guidelines for Mount Everest to curb human traffic jams on the world’s tallest peak.

The Department of Tourism (DoT) has imposed a quota system on a first-come, first-ascent basis to reduce the number of permits issued for Everest.

Accordingly, a specified number of mountaineers, based on the permit numbers issued earlier, would be allowed to climb the peak in the first “weather window” after the ropes and ladders are in place.

More climbers will be allowed in the second weather window that will continue until the conditions are favorable.

“But in case if this plan does not work, the expedition outfitters have been given the flexibility to coordinate themselves and organize the climb. But the numbers should not exceed 170 individuals a day,” the new guidelines state.

According to Guinness World Records, the highest number of 354 people reached Everest in a single day on May 23, 2019.

Some 212 climbers had reached the peak from the Nepal side. It is considerably more than the previous record of 266 people on May 19, 2013.

Mira Acharya, the tourism director, told EFE that they were expecting an estimated 400 climbers. “So, we have issued a slew of measures to control the crowd this year.”

Acharya said if it did not control the crowd, the authorities would come up with stricter measures next year.

In 2019, the Nepal government issued 381 Everest climbing permits, a record number so far, leading to human traffic jams on the icy route to the top of the world.

Ten people died on Nepal’s side, the highest death toll since 2015.

 

Exit mobile version