The Nepalese government has decided to raise the climbing permit fee for Mount Everest by one-third, increasing it from $11,000 to $15,000 during the peak season. This measure, which had not been revised for a decade, aims to tackle pollution in the region and enhance the safety of mountaineers who venture to the world’s highest peak.
The funds collected from this fee increase will be allocated to cleaning efforts and rescue operations, crucial to address the garbage accumulation left by those climbing Everest. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 8,000-meter peaks and welcomes thousands of climbers each year. The tariff hike was approved by the government in January but was only published in the country’s Official Gazette on Monday night.