Government extends 2015 Everest climbing permits for two years

Kathmandu March 1- The Cabinet has given a green signal for the Tourism Ministry proposal to extend the climbing permits of hundreds of mountaineers who had been forced to abandon their expeditions last year due to avalanches on the Himalaya triggered by the April 25 earthquake. The permits will be extended for two years.

After the Finance Ministry's nod two weeks ago, the Cabinet meeting on Monday approved the proposal tabled by the Tourism Ministry.

Last year, 103 teams consisting of 801 individuals had received permits to climb various peaks in the Himalaya. Among them were 357 mountaineers (18 of them Nepalis) who had obtained Everest climbing permits.

Officials at the Department of Tourism said that the mountaineers, including Everest aspirants, who had abandoned their summit bids last year, had been waiting for clearance to make fresh attempts this spring.