Kathmandu, Feb. 1 -- For decades, Beijing has ignored Kathmandu's request to permit aerial sightseeing of Mount Kailash and Manasarovar lake in Tibet, China. According to tour operators, this untapped sector could offer a multi-million-dollar opportunity for Nepal. But they seem to have found an alternative.

The 6,638-metre tall diamond-shaped Mount Kailash, and Manasarovar, a huge freshwater lake at 4,556 metres, are known as the most sacred places in Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Bon religions.

The holy mountain is revered as the abode of Lord Shiva, the third god of Hindu trinity.

Until 2019, every year, from May to October, a large number of devotees, mostly from India, used to travel to the sacred place.

Last year, Nepali tour operat...