Nepal, home to some of the world's most formidable peaks, has officially updated its list of mountains towering above 8,000 metres. While international records previously acknowledged eight such peaks within Nepal, the government has now increased the tally to 14. This development marks a significant moment in mountaineering history and could have far-reaching impacts on the country's adventure tourism industry.
The Newly Recognized Peaks
The Department of Tourism recently updated its peak profile, formally adding six new eight-thousanders to Nepal’s official count. These peaks include:
- Yalung Khang (8,505m)
- Yalung Khang West (8,077m)
- Kanchenjunga Central (8,473m)
- Kanchenjunga South (8,476m)
- Lhotse Middle (8,410m)
- Lhotse Shar (8,400m)
Of these, four peaks belong to the Kanchenjunga range, while two are part of the Lhotse range. These additions reflect Nepal's continued efforts to document its towering peaks more accurately.
The Existing Eight-Thousanders
Nepal has long been celebrated as the land of the world's highest peaks. The list of previously recognized eight-thousanders includes:
- Mount Everest (8,848.86m)
- Kanchenjunga (8,586m)
- Lhotse (8,516m)
- Makalu (8,463m)
- Cho Oyu (8,201m)
- Dhaulagiri (8,167m)
- Manaslu (8,163m)
- Annapurna I (8,091m)
With the latest update, Nepal now has the highest number of officially listed eight-thousanders.
Global Recognition: A Work in Progress
While Nepal has endorsed the updated list, global recognition remains pending. The International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA), which oversees mountaineering standards worldwide, must approve these new peaks for them to gain international recognition.
The Department of Tourism has already initiated efforts to present the revised list on global platforms. The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has also been actively involved in compiling data and preparing necessary documentation to support the international recognition process.
Scientific and Technical Evaluations
The classification of these peaks as separate eight-thousanders follows established mountaineering criteria. Experts argue that a mountain should be considered independent if the col distance (the lowest point between two peaks) is at least 500 metres and if the peak has a unique climbing route.
Geographic Information System (GIS) data, mapping, and other essential research have been conducted for over a decade. A committee led by various mountaineering experts and officials, including members from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, and the Survey Department, has worked extensively to validate these findings.
Economic and Tourism Implications
The addition of six more eight-thousanders is not just a matter of national pride; it has significant economic implications for Nepal’s tourism industry. Mountaineering is a major revenue source for Nepal, and the official recognition of these new peaks could attract more climbers from around the world.
In 2023 alone, Nepal issued over 2,500 climbing permits, generating nearly Rs850 million in revenue. If the newly recognized peaks gain international approval, Nepal could see increased interest from mountaineers looking to set records or complete all the eight-thousanders.
A Decade-Long Effort
The process of verifying these peaks has been ongoing since 2013. That year, a 10-member committee led by Purna Chandra Bhattarai, then joint secretary at the Tourism Ministry, submitted a 113-page report recommending the inclusion of the six additional peaks.
In 2014, a peak profile preparation committee was formed under the Department of Tourism. It later established a sub-committee, chaired by Ang Tshering Sherpa, former president of NMA, which included experts from various governmental and mountaineering organizations. A technical working group was also formed, led by Buddhi Narayan Shrestha, a renowned border expert.
Challenges and Future Steps
Despite scientific confirmation and government endorsement, Nepal still faces challenges in obtaining international approval. The UIAA initiated the Agura Project in 2013 to review peaks above 8,000 metres. Nepal’s newly identified peaks were recommended for inclusion, but due to various reasons—including natural disasters such as the 2015 earthquake—the process was delayed.
Currently, Nepal is engaging with international mountaineering bodies to push for final approval. Once the UIAA recognizes the revised list, Nepal’s global reputation as a mountaineering hub will be further solidified.
Conclusion
The addition of six new eight-thousanders marks a historic moment for Nepal’s mountaineering sector. If these peaks receive global recognition, Nepal will strengthen its standing as the ultimate destination for high-altitude climbers. While challenges remain, the country’s efforts to document and validate its towering summits will undoubtedly contribute to the growth of adventure tourism and mountaineering worldwide.