Nepal’s Supreme Court has made a groundbreaking decision to limit the number of mountaineering permits issued for Everest and other peaks, just as expeditions gear up for the spring climbing season. The court’s verdict, issued in late April but only made public this week, comes in response to growing concerns about the impact of mass tourism on the country’s mountains and environment.
Lawyer Deepak Bikram Mishra, who filed the petition urging for permit restrictions, stated that the court’s decision includes measures for waste management and preservation of the mountain’s fragile ecosystem. The court emphasized the need to respect the mountains’ capacity and determine an appropriate maximum number of permits to be issued.
Currently, Nepal grants permits to all applicants willing to pay $11,000 to climb Everest, resulting in a record high of 478 permits issued last year. The overcrowding on Everest in 2019 led to a tragic human traffic jam, with at least four deaths attributed to the dangerous conditions.
“We are pressuring the mountain too much and we need to give it some respite,” Mishra commented on the need for restrictions. The court’s decision also limits the use of helicopters for emergency rescues only, a practice that has been increasingly common in recent years.
While the impact of these restrictions on the mountaineering industry remains uncertain, stakeholders emphasize the importance of making the mountains safer for climbers. Nepal has issued permits to 945 climbers this year, including 403 for Everest, highlighting the significance of the court’s decision in preserving the natural beauty and safety of the world’s highest peaks.