This autumn, climbers have started obtaining permits to ascend various mountains, including Mt Manaslu. According to the Department of Tourism, 132 individuals—34 women and 98 men—across 12 climbing groups have received permits for the season. Specifically, 120 climbers from 10 groups, comprising 32 women and 88 men, have been granted permission to climb Mount Manaslu.

Climbers from 31 countries, including Nepal, have received permits to scale three different mountains. Standing at 8,163 meters, Manaslu, also known as the "Killer Mountain," has become increasingly popular among climbers. This year too, the highest number of permits has been issued for Manaslu.

Autumn is considered the prime season for climbing Manaslu, attracting a significant number of climbers each year during this period. Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain in the world and the seventh-highest in Nepal. On May 9, 1956, Japanese climber Tosio Imanishi and Nepali climber Gyagen Norbu Sherpa successfully summited Manaslu for the first time. Two days later, on May 11, Japanese climbers Minoru Higeta and Kiichiro Kato also reached the summit.

In addition to Manaslu, the department reported that seven climbers from one group and five from another have secured permits to climb Annapurna IV, while another group has taken permits for Mt Putha Hiunchuli.

For this season, the government has collected Rs 13.96 million in royalties from mountain climbing permits. -- RSS