Stricter permits

Amid Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the first ascent of Qomolangma on May 29, 1953, the government of Nepal on Wednesday announced that it will adopt strict measures on issuing permits to climb the highest summit.

The government will examine several factors such as health condition and age before letting any interested climber scale Qomolangma in the future, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Ram Kumar Shrestha said at a diamond jubilee function hosted by Kathmandu metropolitan city in Kathmandu Durbar Square.

The aim of this is to preserve the glory of world heritage, the rooftop of the world, Shrestha said.

Shrestha unveiled the government's plan to further manage the mountaineering industry through proper mobilization of the royalties collected from the Himalayas.

"We have focused on the safety of the climbers mostly, and thus we have increased the budget for the general insurance package for high altitude workers and rescuers along with the expenses on medical treatment," Shrestha said.

Xinhua

(China Daily 05/30/2013 page10)