Govt to open new peaks for ascent in effort to promote mountain tourism

KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Jivan Ram Shrestha, has said government would gradually open new peaks for ascent.

Addressing a programme organized by the Nepal Mountaineering Association here Sunday, Minister Shrestha, said government was for opening new peaks for climbing. “Ministry has forwarded the plan to allow mountaineering. A study is being conducted on which peaks are appropriate.”

Nepal’s mountains are alluring to foreign tourists. So, government wants to move ahead by forging collaboration with private sectors for mountaineering development, the Minister made commitment, adding that tourism could contribute significantly to country’s prosperity. It has capacity to create new jobs, he reminded.

According to him, Neal is also a destination of adventure tourism which needs further expansion.

Currently, 114 peaks including Sagarmatha are open for climbing. Minister Shrestha shared that a 74-point plan was being enforced to revive the tourism sector hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.