Nepal must make training and experience in high-altitude climbing mandatory for all climbers on Mount Everest and other high peaks, a government panel said on Wednesday.
Eleven climbers were killed or went missing on the 8,850-metre mountain in May. Nine lost their lives on the Nepali side and two on the Tibetan face.
The Nepalese panel of government officials, climbing experts and agencies representing the mountaineering community was set up after climbers and guides criticised officials for allowing anyone who paid $11,000 (Dh40,400) to climb the mountain.
Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 tallest mountains and climbing is a key source of employment and income for the cash-strapped nation.
But the numbers trying the climb in May led to crowding in the so-called death zone, where there are very low oxygen levels.
That put lives at risk as oxygen cylinders ran out while up to 100 people waited in queues for the summit.
Nepal issued 381 permits for Everest in this year's climbing season, which tends to end in May when the daylight and weather are the most forgiving.
"Climbers to Sagarmatha [Everest] and other 8,000-metre mountains must undergo basic and high-altitude climbing training," the panel said in a report submitted to the government.
The report said those hoping to scale Everest must climb at least one other Nepali peak taller than 6,500 metres before getting a permit.
Climbers must also submit a certificate of good health and physical fitness, and be accompanied by a trained Nepali guide.
Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, a senior Tourism Ministry official, said the recommendations would be implemented.
"The government will now make the required changes in laws and regulations guiding mountain climbing," Mr Upadhyaya said.
"Climbers died due to altitude sickness, heart attack, exhaustion or weaknesses and not due to traffic jams," said Mira Acharya, a member of the panel.
Ms Acharya said the compulsory provision of guides for each climber was to discourage solo attempts, which put lives at risk.
A reliable weather forecasting system should be in place and rope fixing should be done in time, giving enough space for the climbers to use a window of good weather to reach the summit, the report said.
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MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Thank You for Banking with Us
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
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Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
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Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
India team for Sri Lanka series
Test squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharath (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Sourabh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
T20 squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan
