Rising Mountaineering Revenue
In recent years, the number of mountaineers in Nepal has been steadily increasing. According to the Department of Tourism, mountaineering and peak climbing in Nepal generated Rs 638.2 million in revenue last year.
Between March 1 and April 21, 41 climbers (26 men and 15 women) successfully scaled the 8,556-meter Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak, located in Taplejung. The ascent generated Rs 10.97 million in revenue. Similarly, 66 climbers successfully summited Makalu, located in Sankhuwasabha, during the same period, bringing in Rs 16.27 million.
On Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, a total of 374 climbers (302 men and 72 women) successfully reached the summit, contributing Rs 554.9 million in revenue.
Overall, successful ascents were recorded on 23 peaks and mountains this season. A total of 869 climbers (678 men and 191 women, both Nepali and foreign) summited these peaks, generating Rs 638.2 million in revenue, as per the Department’s records.
Global Himalayan Context
Nepal’s Himalayas border China’s Tibet region, while the rest of the Himalayan ranges extend into China, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Tajikistan. This mountain system hosts the 10 highest peaks in the world. Among them, K2 lies in Pakistan, while Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest peak, is also in Pakistan.
Nepal, however, is home to eight of the world’s highest peaks above 8,000 meters, including Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna I. These peaks, though magnificent, are increasingly being stripped of their snow due to the retreat of the snowline.
Retreating Snowline and Climate Change
The effects of climate change in the Himalayas have been confirmed by various studies and local observations. Data from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), environmental scientists, and local communities indicate that Nepal’s mountain geography is undergoing significant transformation.
According to ICIMOD’s 2021 report, Status of Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region, the snowline in the Kanchenjunga area is retreating upward at an average of 6.5 meters per year. During the same period, the number of glacial lakes in the region increased significantly—from 27 lakes fifteen years ago to 49 today—highlighting the drastic environmental impact of climate change.
Another key study, ICIMOD’s Himalayan Water Security Report (2022), shows that Nepal’s temperature has been rising by 0.3 to 0.5°C per decade. This warming has accelerated glacier melting, pushed the snowline higher, and directly affected the lives of Himalayan residents—their agriculture, livestock, and drinking water sources.
The Urgent Need for Adaptation
Experts warn that unless immediate climate adaptation and long-term strategies are implemented, the rapid loss of glaciers could worsen, threatening Nepal’s entire water resource system, biodiversity, and food security.
