Nepal to impose strict measures against Everest climbers

Kathmandu, Feb 21 (IANS) After several breaches of rules and guidelines while climbing Mt Everest, Nepal has decided to adopt strict measures for aspirants from this spring.

For providing better service to the climbers, porters, sherpas, sardars, high-altitude workers and cooks, the government decided to set up an integrated office at the Everest base camp.

The measure followed after two European climbers and a group of rope-fixing sherpas fought last year on the Everest.

Ueli Steck of Switzerland and Italian Simone Moro, along with a British photographer, had a fight with a group of sherpas over climbing rights.

In another incident last year, British climber Daniel Huges broadcast live footage from top of the Mt Everest via smart phone to BBC News, which needed special permission from the Nepal government.

Besides setting up a dedicated liaison office at the base camp from the upcoming spring season (March, April and May) for the first time, the government will also verify climbers's experience, health and age before allowing them to climb the world's highest peak.

The move aims to ensure climbers' safety, said Madhu Sudan Burlakoti, chief of industry division, Nepal's tourism and civil aviation ministry, which issues Everest climbing permits.

From this season onwards, climbers aspiring to set records need to inform prior to the government.

The ministry is also mulling installing GPS facilities in Khumbu region, where the Everest is situated, to track the location of trekkers and mountaineers.

The proposed office will be manned by police, liaison officials, doctors and representation from ministry of tourism and conservation area. It will be equipped with satellite phone, email, internet and mobile phone services.

"From this season, we are coming up with a new guideline for garbage management," Burlakoti said.

Every season, around 10 tonnes of garbage accumulate in the Everest which has polluted the environment, he said.

Officials will be deployed a month earlier before the climbing season starts.

The office will monitor day-to-day activities related to climbing, accident, record keeping and will send regular feedback to Kathmandu.

Officials also said that the move will stop overcrowding on the Everest.