Nepal's Strict Climbing Regulations: Summit 7000-Meter Peaks Before Everest

For many mountaineers, reaching the summit of Mount Everest is a lifelong dream, but that dream is becoming increasingly difficult to realize. The Nepalese government plans to implement its strictest climbing regulations to date: climbers must first successfully summit a mountain in Nepal that is at least 7000 meters high before applying for an Everest climbing permit.
According to The Nikkei Asia on the 22nd, this is not just an additional application requirement, but aims to ‘solve the congestion at the summit, enhance climbing safety, and reduce the ecological burden on Everest.’ This new regulation, named the ‘Comprehensive Tourism Bill,’ was officially proposed to the Nepalese Upper House on April 18, and given the ruling party's stable majority in the Lower House, it is expected to pass into law soon.
The bill primarily aims to address the overcrowding issues on the mountain and enhance climber safety. Climbing Everest has long been considered a symbol of human limits, but the accompanying economic benefits cannot be overlooked. CNN has pointed out that Nepal's economy heavily relies on climbers and tourism, previously facing criticism for issuing too many climbing permits and even allowing inexperienced individuals to enter the mountain.
In 2023, Nepal issued a record-breaking 478 Everest entry permits, leading to an increased death toll of 18 climbers that year; even with the restrictions on permit issuance for 2024, 8 climbers still died while attempting to summit.
Moreover, photos showcasing oxygen tanks, tents, and human waste on the mountain have ignited global outrage, prompting local environmentalists, communities, and climbing experts to warn that the government has been reckless in issuing permits, not only increasing climbing risks but also causing an ecological crisis on Everest. The purpose of the new bill is to save lives, protect Everest, and ensure the livelihoods of local people.
According to the draft, future climbers wishing to apply for an Everest climbing permit must provide formal documentation proving they have successfully summited a 7000-meter peak in Nepal. According to ExplorersWeb, there are currently 72 peaks in Nepal open for climbing that are 7000 meters high (excluding the 8000-meter peaks), ranging from the extremely difficult Jannu Peak to the relatively easier Himlung Himal and Baruntse.
It is believed that this measure is to prevent inexperienced individuals from attempting to summit Everest without proper knowledge. In 2024, there were multiple fatalities due to inexperienced climbers clogging the routes.