Nepal Takes Decisive Action on Mount Everest with New Groundbreaking Bill Targeting Health, Experience, and Environmental Clean-Up to Safeguard the World’s Most Dangerous Climb

Nepal has introduced a groundbreaking reform to Everest expeditions, aiming to address safety, environmental concerns, and the growing number of medical emergencies. With tougher requirements for climbers, including prior experience, medical clearances, and a focus on waste management, the new legislation is designed to transform mountaineering on the world’s tallest mountain. These measures are intended to protect both the climbers and the environment, ensuring a safer and more sustainable Everest experience for future adventurers.

Nepal’s new legislation seeks to introduce stricter regulations for Mount Everest expeditions, aiming to address the growing concerns surrounding safety, environmental impact, and medical emergencies on the world’s highest peak.

Mount Everest, towering at over 8,848 metres above sea level, has long been a coveted destination for mountaineers. For many serious climbers, summiting the peak is the ultimate achievement. However, the journey from Base Camp to the summit is notoriously grueling and hazardous, with many climbers facing extreme temperatures, oxygen-deprived air, and the looming threat of avalanches. The climb typically takes around 70 days, during which climbers must contend with the unforgiving environment and a host of other challenges.

In a bid to reduce the number of medical emergencies and fatalities on Everest, Nepal’s National Assembly has taken a significant step by endorsing a new tourism bill that will introduce tougher regulations for climbers. The bill, which was unanimously passed by the upper house, is now set to move to the lower house, the House of Representatives, for further discussion when it reconvenes in March. The new legislation, if enacted, will make it more difficult for climbers to gain access to the peak, introducing a host of new requirements aimed at improving safety and sustainability on Everest.

One of the most notable provisions of the proposed law is the introduction of stricter eligibility criteria for those wishing to climb Everest. Under the new rules, climbers will be required to prove that they have previously summited at least one other Nepalese mountain higher than 7,000 metres. This requirement aims to ensure that only experienced and capable climbers are permitted to attempt the daunting ascent of Everest. The intention behind this rule is to reduce the number of inexperienced climbers who put themselves and rescue teams at risk.

In addition to the experience requirement, climbers will be required to submit a recent health certificate as part of their application. This measure aims to reduce the number of medical emergencies that occur at high altitudes, where access to healthcare is limited, and the risks of altitude sickness, exhaustion, and other health complications are significantly higher. The certificate would need to be submitted to the Department of Tourism before an expedition can take place, along with a detailed mountaineering plan, the necessary fees, and other supporting documentation.

The bill also grants the Department of Tourism the authority to refuse permission for climbers who may be at risk of health or safety issues. This provision is part of a broader effort to reduce the number of preventable accidents and fatalities on Everest, ensuring that only those who are adequately prepared and fit are allowed to attempt the climb.

Beyond safety concerns, the new legislation also includes provisions aimed at addressing the environmental impact of Everest expeditions. The mountain has long been plagued by litter and human waste left behind by climbers, which has raised concerns about the sustainability of tourism on Everest. To combat this, the bill proposes the establishment of an Environment Protection initiative that will focus on reducing the amount of waste left on the mountain. Since 2014, Nepal has required climbers ascending above Base Camp to return at least eight kilograms of solid waste, or face a $4,000 (£2,961) deposit, which is forfeited if the waste is not returned. The new bill proposes converting this deposit into a non-refundable fee that would be allocated to conservation and cleanup efforts on the mountain.

This move is in response to increasing criticism of the frozen waste that has accumulated along the trail to the summit, tarnishing the natural beauty of the region and posing environmental hazards. By introducing a dedicated fee for conservation efforts, Nepal hopes to ensure that Everest remains a safe and sustainable destination for climbers, while also funding the necessary work to keep the mountain clean.

The bill also clarifies the responsibility for emergencies on the mountain, a critical issue given the high number of rescues and fatalities that occur on Everest each year. The law includes provisions that detail who is liable for covering the costs of emergency services and outlines the time frame for declaring someone dead after an accident. According to the legislation, a person will be officially declared deceased if they are missing for a period of one year. This provision is intended to provide greater clarity and accountability in situations where climbers go missing.

The proposed changes to Nepal’s mountaineering rules are expected to be among the most comprehensive revisions to the country’s tourism legislation in recent years. However, it may take several months for the law to be fully enacted, as it will need to pass through the House of Representatives before becoming official. Once approved, the new legislation could have a significant impact on the way that Everest expeditions are conducted, and may serve as a model for other high-altitude mountaineering destinations around the world.

As the popularity of Everest continues to rise, so too does the need for stricter regulations to ensure the safety of climbers and the preservation of the mountain’s fragile environment. With over 300 climbers estimated to have died on Everest, including five in 2025 and eight in 2024, the new legislation aims to tackle both safety and environmental challenges head-on. While the final details of the law are still being ironed out, the proposed changes represent a significant step toward making Mount Everest a safer, more sustainable destination for climbers in the future.

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