KATHMANDU, Nepal–The government has announced that the permits issued to mountaineers this season would be valid for up to five years
During a meeting between the agitating mountaineering support staff, guides and high-level joint team led by Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Bhim Acharya at the Everest Base Camp on Thursday, the government agreed to give validity to permits issued to scale Mt Everest this season for up to five years.
“We again appeal to the Sardars, climbers, mountaineering guides, among other stakeholders, to continue climbing,” Sudhan Burlakoti , Joint Secretary of Tourism Ministry told to state owned television Nepal Television at the Base Camp.
More than three dozen40 foreign mountaineers and nearly 150 Sherpas took part the meeting. Minister Acharya, Secretary Sushil Ghimire, Joint Secretary Burlakoti, President of Nepal Mountaineering Association Ang Tshering Sherpa, NMA treasurer Tika Gurung, President of Trekking Agents’ Association of Nepal Ramesh Dhamal, Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee Chairman Ang Dorjee Sherpa, President of Expeditions Operators Association Nepal Dambar Parajuli and General Secretary of Nepal National Mountain Guides Association Pasang Sherpa thronged boarding two choppers to hold discussion with agitating Sherpas who have put forth the charter demands after 18 April Avalanche in Mount Everest.
Though the government officials frequently requested the Sherpas and foreign climbers to resume their expedition, most of the mountaineers are not prepared mentally for the same.
Government has issued permission for 340 mountaineers of 31 expeditions, garnering more than $3.34 million royalty ($10,000 per climber) for Mt Everest summit this season.