Nepalnews.com, news from Nepal as it happens

Tourism entrepreneurs not to send mountaineers atop Everest between May 1 and 10

Even as reports have been coming that the Chinese authorities have requested Nepal to prevent mountaineers from scaling the Mt Everest between May 1 and 10, tourism entrepreneurs have reached understanding not to send them during the period.

According to Kantipur daily, the government authorities are expected to endorse the entrepreneurs' understanding.

China has already announced not to allow scaling of Everest from its side during the period when it is preparing to take the Olympic torch atop the highest peak in the world.

It had requested Nepali side also to follow the suit to avoid anti-China activities during that period.

In an interaction held by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Sunday, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), Sagarmatha Mountaineers Association have reached such understanding, the daily adds.

"We told we can help by not sending mountaineers during that period. We are also committed to avoid anti-China activities during mountaineering and to share information with the government," a participant at the meeting said.

This spring season 17 expedition teams have applied for Everest ascent. Recently, international news agencies reported that the Nepal government had prohibited the Everest ascent from May 1-10. However, government officials have said that they have not yet made such decision. nepalnews.com sd Mar 17 08