KATHMANDU: In the spring season of this year, a notable 414 individuals have secured permission to ascend Mount Everest, also known as Sagarmatha, the world's highest peak. These climbers, comprising 75 women and 339 men, represent 41 different mountaineering groups, as disclosed by the Department of Tourism.

Comparatively, last year witnessed the highest number of climbers, totaling 478, who were granted permission to conquer Mount Everest. The current season's tally reflects a slightly lower figure, albeit still substantial in scale.

Chun Bahadur Tamang, a Section Officer at the Department, revealed that a broader spectrum of mountaineering endeavors is underway this season, encompassing a total of 971 climbers hailing from 112 climbing groups. This collective ambition extends beyond Mount Everest to include 30 other mountains.

The revenue generated from mountaineering permissions has also seen a noteworthy accrual, with a total royalty amounting to Rs 674.7 million thus far. The ascent of Mount Everest alone has contributed significantly to this sum, contributing around Rs 592.3 million to the coffers during this season.