KATHMANDU, Oct 13: The government has collected Rs 49.28 million in royalty from the mountaineers scaling different mountains during autumn season.

According to the Department of Tourism (DoT) under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, 725 members from different expedition teams had received permits to climb various peaks, including Mount Everest, as of Friday.

“The number of climbers this year is more compared to previous years. The upcoming Visit Nepal Year 2020 can be a reason that has contributed to the increase in number of climbers. Autumn season is mostly famous for climbing Mt. Manaslu (8,163m) and 27 teams have been permitted this year, which is a figure greater than last year’s. A lot of teams have already scaled the mountain,” said Surendra Thapa, information officer at DoT.

As per the DoT, the highest number of climbers to attempt any mountain is Mt. Manaslu with 264 climbers from 27 teams, followed by Mt. Himlung (7,129m) with 68 climbers from seven teams, Mt. Saribung (6,346m) with 49 climbers from nine teams, and Mt. Amadablam (6,814m) with 46 climbers from five teams.

Mountains with lowest number of climbers include Mt. Amolsang (6,393m) with one climber, Mt. Hongu (6,764m) with one climber, Mt. Chukylma Go (6,258m) with two climbers from one team, Mt. Khangtega (6,783m) with two climbers from one team, and Mt. Tobsar (6,100m) with two persons from one team.

Regarding the expedition to Mt. Everest (8,848m), 10 climbers from two teams are attempting this autumn season. A total of 35 mountains are permitted to allow for attempt, and mountaineers from 54 countries including Australia, China, Italy, Japan, Germany, Poland, the US, Russia, Switzerland, Canada, France, Ireland, Korea, and India, among others, are attempting for expedition in this autumn. A total of 566 male and 149 female climbers have got the permit for attempt.

Foreign climbers need to pay US$ 125 per person as royalty to the government for expedition to mountains up to 6,500 meters during autumn season whereas the cost is $900 per person for mountains higher than 8,000 meters. Likewise, Nepalis need to pay Rs 2,000 per person to climb mountains up to 6,500 meters and Rs 5,000 for peaks above 8,000 meters, except Mt. Everest, in the autumn season. A foreign climber has to pay US$ 5,500 in royalty to climb Mt. Everest, whereas Rs 37,500 royalty is applicable to Nepali citizen to climb the mountain during autumn season.

A total of 414 peaks have been opened for mountaineering in Nepal. According to the department, 86 peaks have remained unclimbed.

 
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