Page 13 - Nepal

Nepal puts an end to solo expeditions on Mt Everest, other 8000m peaks

The Nepal government has formally ended solo expeditions on Mt Everest and other mountain peaks above 8,000 metres by making one mountain guide mandatory for two climbers, according to revised mountaineering regulations. The sixth amendment to the Mountaineering Regulation came into force on Tuesday after it was published in the Nepal Gazette, the government's official publication. The revised regulations require a high-altitude support staff or mountain guide to be assigned for every two climbers for peaks above 8,000 metres, including the 8,849 metres tall Mt Everest. For other mountains, the rule requires at least one guide per group, according to a notice published in the Nepal Gazette. Under the previous rule, one mountain guide was sufficient for a group of climbers scaling mountains above 8,000 metres. The government has made guides mandatory to ensure the climbers' safety on the mountain, said Arati Neupane, Director at the Department of Tourism. The amendment was made to

India tops Nepal's tourist list in Jan despite decline in visitor numbers

India remains Nepal's largest source of foreign tourists in January, but the number of visitors from the country saw a slight decline in the month, according to official data released on Monday. Of nearly 80,000 foreign tourists who visited Nepal last month, 20,485 were Indians, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said. This marks a 15.1 per cent decrease compared to January 2024, when 24,139 Indians arrived in the country by air. Indian tourists primarily enter Nepal through border points, using road and vehicle routes, but NTB's records only account for those arriving by air. China, Nepal's second-largest tourism market, saw a contrasting trend. In January, 8,191 Chinese tourists visited Nepal, reflecting a 12.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. The US ranks third among Nepal's top tourist sources. In January, 8,063 Americans visited the Himalayan nation, marking a 14.9 per cent increase from the previous year. Other key sources of tourists included Bangladesh

Permit to climb Mount Everest to cost nearly Rs 13 lakhs after price hike

Nepal has increased the permit price after nearly a decade by 36 per cent from $11000 (about Rs 9L) to $15000 (about Rs 13L). Nepal issues around 300 permits every year

Nepal hikes Everest climbing fee to $15,000, brings new pollution measures

Nepal has sharply increased permit fees for climbing Mount Everest by 36 per cent and also introduced a slew of measures aimed at controlling garbage pollution on the world's tallest peak, officials said. Under the revised mountaineering regulations, the royalty fee for foreigners climbing Everest from the normal south route in the spring season (March-May) has been raised to USD 15,000 from the current USD 11,000 per person. The autumn season (September-November) climbing fee has increased from USD 5,500 to USD 7,500. At the same time, the permit cost per individual for the winter (December-February) and monsoon (June-August) seasons has risen from USD 2,750 to USD 3,750. A Cabinet decision to this effect has already been made, though the official announcement is yet to come, said Arati Neupane, Director of the Tourism Board. The new fees for climbing the 8848.86-metre peak will come into effect from September 1, 2025, she added. The revised regulations, approved by the Cabinet w

Nepal's roadmap aims to generate 28,500 MW of electricity by 2035: PM Oli

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Friday said the government has prepared a roadmap for generating 28,500 MW of electricity by 2035. Nepal currently generates around 2,500 MW of hydro power. Addressing a programme organised by Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN) to commemorate its silver jubilee in Kathmandu, Oli said there was no need to worry about the sale of energy as the energy producers would find sufficient market for the energy produced by them. There is no need to worry about energy consumption as heavy industries like iron and steel and fertilizer plants are in the process of being established in the country and preparations are being made to operate the closed industries in a new modality, Oli said. The prime minister said that the government is also conducting research into producing green hydrogen energy within the country. Oli also invited the private sector as well as foreign investors to invest in hydropower sector saying that the government

Ireda finalises JV with SJVN, GMR, and NEP for hydropower project in Nepal

State-owned IREDA has finalised a joint venture agreement with SJVN, GMR Energy and the Nepal Electricity Authority to set up a 900 megawatt hydropower project in Nepal. The agreement for the 900 MW Upper Karnali hydro-electric project was formalised in New Delhi on Thursday, in the presence of senior officials from IREDA, SJVN, and GMR Energy. In a statement on Thursday, IREDA said, "It has finalised a joint venture agreement with SJVN Ltd, GMR Energy Ltd, and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for the development of the 900 MW Upper Karnali hydro-electric project in Nepal. This strategic initiative aims to strengthen regional energy security and accelerate renewable energy growth." The joint venture agreement lays out a comprehensive framework for project development, construction, operation, and maintenance under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model, with a 25-year project term from the Commercial Operation Date (CoD). IREDA CMD Pradip Kumar Das said, "This agreement marks a

Nepal to consider request to import specific dairy products from India

India has flagged concerns over the problems faced by its milk exporters in Nepal, with the neighbouring country agreeing to explore the possibility of facilitating imports of specific products like whey and cheese, an official statement said on Sunday. The matter came up for discussions during the meeting of the India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) on Trade, Transit, and Cooperation to Combat Unauthorised Trade, which was held in Kathmandu from January 10-11. "The Indian side highlighted the problems faced in milk exports to Nepal. The Nepali side agreed to consider the request of the Indian side positively for milk products not adequately produced in Nepal such as whey and cheese," the commerce ministry said. The two sides have also discussed a review of the Treaty of Transit and the Treaty of Trade and proposed amendments of the existing agreements, harmonisation of standards and the development of trade infrastructure, including the electrification of the Raxaul-Birgun

India, Nepal officials discuss border security ahead of Maha Kumbh, R-Day

Senior administrative officials from India and Nepal held a coordination meeting here on Saturday to discuss border security measures ahead of Maha Kumbh Mela and Republic Day, a statement said. The meeting, chaired by the District Magistrate of Bahraich and other officials took place at the Integrated Checkpost building in Rupaidiha, located along the India-Nepal border, it said. According to the statement the primary objective of the meeting was to bolster border security ahead of Maha Kumbh-2025, scheduled from January 13 to February 26, and Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Officials from both countries deliberated on joint strategies to curb cross-border crimes such as smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal weapons trafficking, the statement said. They meeting also focused on prioritising the maintenance and repair of border infrastructure to ensure improved security, it added.

Surya Kiran: Indo-Nepal joint military exercise focuses on urban warfare

It focuses on counterterrorism and operations in challenging terrains, the exercise features rigorous training in jungle survival, urban warfare, heliborne operations, and ambush tactics

The Himalayan time bomb: Why Nepal and Tibet face frequent earthquakes

An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 shook Tibet, with strong tremors felt in neighbouring Nepal, India, Bhutan, and parts of China

126 killed, 188 injured after earthquake of magnitude 7.1 hits Tibet

The centre of the quake was 93 km North East of Lobuche, Nepal and struck the region at 06:35:16 IST today

Signing BRI framework with China, Modi meeting key to stronger ties: Oli

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Sunday said the signing of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework agreement with China during his recent trip and his meeting with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly were important in strengthening bilateral relations. The 72-year-old Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) leader said these meetings and visits have made meaningful contributions in strengthening Nepal's relations with neighbouring countries. Oli said this while presenting a political report at the central committee meeting of the party in Lalitpur. A balanced foreign policy based on mutual interest and equal benefits will be pursued keeping the national interest in focal point to further strengthen multi-faceted diplomacy, economic, social, cultural and trade relations with both the neighbours as well as all the friendly countries, Oli said. He also expressed his commitment to resolve the existing issues with the

18th Exercise Surya Kiran: India-Nepal joint military exercise commences

The 18th edition of Exercise Surya Kiran, a joint military exercise between India and Nepal aimed at enhancing interoperability and fostering collaboration between the two nations' armies, began on Tuesday. The annual training event is conducted alternatively in the two countries. The exercise, taking place at the Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi in the Shivalik ranges of Western Nepal, will be conducted till January 13. It "aims to enhance interoperability, primarily in the fields of Counter Terrorism (CT) Operations," according to an X post by the Indian embassy here. "Exercise Surya Kiran signifies the strong bond of friendship, trust and common military linkages that exist between India and Nepal," it said. The Indian Army contingent, comprising 334 personnel, is being led by a Battalion from the 11th Gorkha Rifles, according to a press release by the Defence Ministry in New Delhi. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operation

Nepal 2024: Shifting coalitions; new PM balances ties with India, China

The tradition of musical chairs continued in Nepal politics in 2024. Coalition equations changed yet again with a dispensation perceived as pro-China coming to power, a development India viewed with caution. K P Sharma Oli, 72, became prime minister for the fourth time to lead a new coalition government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability to the Himalayan nation. In July, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', 69, lost a trust vote as Oli's Communist Party of Nepal (Unified-Marxist) withdrew support to his government after inking a new power-sharing deal with the largest party in the House led by Sher Bahadur Deuba. Under their deal, Oli will hand over power to Nepali Congress leader Deuba after 20 months. The year began with a visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Nepal in January, and Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba visited India as the year came to a close. Rana also visited earlier in August, a week after India's Foreign Secretary .

'Exercise Surya Kiran': 300 Indian Army personnel depart for Nepal

During the exercise, the soldiers of two nations will be able to share best practices, enhance interoperability and foster a stronger bond in conduct of joint operations

Nepal earns Rs 815 cr from electricity export to India in 5 months of FY25

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has exported electricity worth Nepalese rupees 13 billion (INR 8.15 billion approximately) during the first five months of the current fiscal year. According to NEA officials, about 1.76 billion units of electricity worth Nepalese Rs 13.04 billion have been exported to India from mid-July to mid-December of the current fiscal year 2024-25. Nepal has been exporting surplus electricity to India during the rainy season for the last few years, NEA spokesperson Chandan Ghosh said. The average rate of electricity exported to India in the five months is Nepalese Rs 7.39 (INR 4.63 approximately) per unit. The authority is selling the surplus electricity at competitive rates in the day-ahead and real-time markets of the Indian Energy Exchange and to the states of Haryana and Bihar as per the bilateral medium-term power sales agreement. As a result, the authority has earned INR 8.15 billion by selling electricity during the review period as the trading

Constitution will be amended with consensus of all: Nepal Home Minister

Nepal's Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak on Sunday said a consensus of all political parties will be ensured to amend the Constitution, a media report said. Lekhak, speaking at a press meet, stressed on the need for the Constitution amendment for strengthening the federal democratic republic, The Himalayan Times newspaper reported. "The preliminary dialogue on this issue has commenced. But the constitution amendment will not be determined by two political parties, he said. Lekhak said that the Nepali Congress (NC) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN UML), the largest parties in Parliament, had decided to form the incumbent coalition government to promote stability, prevent corruption, strengthen good governance and economic activities and accelerate the pace of development. The minister further said that the existing political alliance between the NC and CPN (UML) has no issues and it will continue until the next general election. Responding to

Future full of challenges, says Nepal Army Chief at IMA passing out parade

The future environment for military leaders will be full of challenges due to the emergence of disruptive new technologies, said Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel as he reviewed the IMA's passing-out parade for the autumn course on Saturday. He called upon the gentlemen cadets passing out of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) to be ready for such challenges and said they can embark on their exciting new journey with confidence, as they have received the best training available in the field. "The job ahead is not easy. You will face a future environment that is invariably multi-domain, multi-theatre, and multi-sectoral. The challenges will be multi-pronged due to the emergence of disruptive technologies, but you can go forth with confidence because you have received the best training," General Sigdel said, addressing the cadets. A total of 491 cadets passed out of the IMA on Saturday, including 456 from India and 35 from friendly countries. "Valour will carry you through ...

President Murmu confers honorary rank of General on Nepal's army chief

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday conferred the honorary rank of 'General of Indian Army' on Nepal's Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel at a ceremony here. There has been a tradition of conferring the title of Honorary General on the Army chiefs of Nepal and India since 1950. The President "conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Indian Army on Suprabal Janasewashree General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Army Staff, Nepali Army, at a special investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan for his commendable military prowess and immeasurable contribution to further fostering Nepal's long and friendly association with India", her office said in a statement. General Sigdel commenced a significant visit to India on Tuesday, marking a key step in further strengthening defence ties between the two nations. His visit, which spans from December 11-14, underscores the ongoing efforts to further strengthen and deepen the defence cooperation between Nepal and India. Nepal's ...

1st India-Nepal Tourism meet held in Kathmandu to promote Mahakumbh 2025

The event organised with an aim to create B2B connections to foster implementation of circuit tourism between India and Nepal