Govt to make profiles of peaks higher than 6000m

Kathmandu, Jan 5 – The government has recommended to the concerned bodies to lift the ban on Himalayan region imposed due to various reasons and for making a profile of all peaks above 6000 metres in the country.

 

The government has formed a Mountain Peaks Profile Preparation Committee under the convenorship of Chief of the Tourism Industry Division of the Ministry of Tourism Madhusudan Burlakoti of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

 

The committee with representation from the Ministry, Nepal Tourism Board, and Nepal Mountaineering Association, Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN), Trekkers Organization Nepal and senior officials of other stakeholders has started homework.

 

In the profile will incorporate altitude of the peak, map, pictures of four direction, climbing route, base camp, trekking route, local people and their details, and all details needed for climbers and trekkers, said Burlakoti.

 

Famous geographer Dr. Harka Gurung had many years ago made public details of 1,310 peaks of Nepal above 6000 metres, and the government is to make it on the basis of Gurung´s details.

 

The government has now permitted for climbing 326 peaks. After the profile, royalty and other features for attracting climbers will be recommended.

 

Joint Secretary Burlakoti also informed that some prohibited zones have been recommended to the Ministry of Home Affairs for opening up for trekking and climbing from Kanchenjunga to Humla. It was recommended as there was demand from TAAN for opening up some areas of Mustang banned after Khampa rebellion.

 

The government had prohibited Upper and Lower Dolpa, Manaslu of Gorkha, Chum valley and some other areas.

 

TAAN officials have been demanding to open the areas linked with Tibet autonomous region of China.

 

They say to maintain ban is not logical as China itself has opened up its areas.

 

Chief of Law Division of the Ministry and Joint Secretary Ranjan Krishna Aryal agrees this and adds it is a predicament that Tibet has utilized its natural heritage whereas there is nothing in Nepal side.

 

He says it is not proper to say security sensitive when China has already opened up adjoining areas for western tourists.

 

RSS