April 23: With the onset of the spring season of 2023, the number of climbers seeking permission to climb Mount Everest has increased.

According to the Department of Tourism, mountaineers from 58 countries, including Nepal, have taken permission to climb Mount Everest so far this season.

The department has granted permission to 396 people, including 72 women, to climb Mount Everest this season. The mountaineers must climb Mount Everest within 75 days of obtaining the permit. Climbers especially prefer to climb Mt Everest in spring, when the weather is favourable.

The department has also issued permits for climbing other mountains and snow peaks above 6,000 meters.

This season, the department has collected royalties of Rs 553.7 million by issuing climbing permits for Everest. The department has collected a total of Rs 644.48 million revenue by issuing permits to climb 23 mountains and peaks including Everest. As climbers have to pay more revenue for climbing Everest compared to other mountain peaks, the income from Everest is higher.

A total of 903 climbers have received permits for climbing from the department this season. Lhotse is the most popular mountain after Everest. According to the department, 80 climbers have taken permission to climb Lhotse.

The department has given permission to climb Annapurna, Surmasarovar, Pangri Goldumba, Manaslu, Thorong Peak, Barun Tse, Nuptse, Himalung Himal, Dhaulagiri, Thapa Peak, Amadablam, Makalu, Arniko Chuli, Pumori among others.