KATHMANDU: The new Tourism Bill, which incorporates many changes to the existing Tourism Act, has been sent to a House Committee for a thorough discussion.

A meeting of the House of Representatives on July 8 unanimously decided to forward the Tourism Bill to the International Relations and Tourism Committee for clause-wise discussion before passing it from the HoR.

The Sumnima Udas-led committee oversees both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation.

Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Poudel sought the House's approval during today's meeting to forward the bill to the IRTC. The House unanimously accepted the minister's proposal, letting the committee expedite discussion on the bill.

The House will approve the Bill again once it is sent back by the committee after final discussion. Once the House passes the Bill, the 1978 Tourism Act will be replaced by the new one, following the presidential authentication.

The major provision of the bill requires climbers to summit a peak over 7,000 meters within Nepal before receiving an Everest climbing permit. Minister Paudel, during his recent speech at the National Assembly, clarified that the ministry wanted to enact the new rule starting in the 2027 spring season.

Nepal now has 72 peaks above 7,000 meters, but not all are open for climbing. Everest aspirants can scale Himlung Himal – 7,126m, Baruntse – 7,129m, Tilicho Peak – 7,134m, Putha Hiunchuli – 7,246m, Nuptse – 7,861m, and Annapurna South – 7,219m, among others, before applying for an Everest permit once the new Tourism Bill is enacted, said Phur Gelje Sherpa, President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. “Not only 7,000m peaks, climbers can also attempt 8,000m peaks in Nepal like Manaslu, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu before applying for an Everest climbing permit,” Sherpa said.

Preventing climbers from attempting Mt. Everest without climbing mountains above 7,000 meters in Nepal will not only promote 7,000m peaks but also help reduce traffic on the world’s highest peak, as per Minister Paudel. “The House committee will thoroughly discuss the bill and send it back to the House for final approval,” an official at the ministry said. “Then the House will pass the bill and send it to the President for endorsement. Once endorsed by the President, the Bill will be enacted as the Act. The process is expected to be completed by the winter session of the parliament,” he said.