KATHMANDU, May 2 -- The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a mandamus order directing the government to regulate the ascent of the world's highest peak, Mount Everest.

A division bench of justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Sushma Lata Mathema has ordered the government to issue climbing permits only after specifying the number of climbers and the capacity to accommodate the climbers.

The government has been issuing permits to as many climbers as possible leading to traffic jams on the world's highest peak.

According to the Department of Tourism, last year (2023), 478 Nepalis obtained permits to climb Mount Everest, with 287 successfully reaching the summit. An additional 359 Sherpas assisted climbers, resulting in a total of 646 individuals ...