<p>Expeditions to Mt Everest and other Himalayan peaks in Nepal has been suspended for the spring season in wake of the growing global concerns over the outbreak of Coronavirus/COVID-19.</p>.<p>No new permits would be issued between 14 March-30 April and the ones issued stands cancelled.</p>.<p>Majority of the climbers come from India, United States, United Kingdom, China.</p>.<p>This is not only a huge jolt to the tourism of Nepal but also the livelihood of sherpas.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-5th-covid-19-positive-case-in-bengaluru-74-confirmed-cases-in-india-799686.html#1" target="_blank"><strong>Follow live updates of coronavirus</strong></a></p>.<p>Speaking to DH, veteran Indian mountaineer Umesh Zirpe of Pune-based Giripremi and Kathmandu-based Keshub Paudyal, who is the Director of Peak Promotion, confirmed the development.</p>.<p>The Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Home, Government of Nepal, said that from 14 March-30 April, the Visa on Arrival facility is being suspended. All foreigners</p>.<p>Giripremi was to lead an expedition to Annapurna-1 but he was conveyed of the restrictions."We are forced to take a hard decision to postpone the Annapurna I expedition to the next season," said Zirpe, one of India's best and experienced mountaineers, who had led expeditions to Mt Everest twice including India's biggest expedition to world's tallest peak."</p>.<p>On the background of Coronavirus outbreak, the Nepal government has put on hold all the expeditions in spring 2020 season. The decision was made in the high-level committee meeting of govt officials at Kathmandu held on Thursday night," he said.</p>.<p>Paudyal said that it is a big jolt to the mountaineering and trekking fraternity. "The spring season is very important....more than 2,500 depend on this season for their annual earnings," he added.</p>.<p>The eight-thousanders (above 8,000 mts) in Nepal are Mt Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Mount Makalu, Mount Cho Oyo, Dhaulagiri I, Mt Manaslu, Annapurna I.</p>.<p>During spring 2019, the Nepalese government issues 600-odd permits for Mt Everest, from which 360 to 370 summited.</p>.<p>During the 2015 earthquake, the mountaineering schedule was disturbed, however, international help had poured in, said Zirpe, adding that this time around the entire world is battling a crisis.</p>.<p>Adds Paudyal: "Mountaineering is one aspect. The number of trekkers too is very large. That too would be affected badly."</p>
<p>Expeditions to Mt Everest and other Himalayan peaks in Nepal has been suspended for the spring season in wake of the growing global concerns over the outbreak of Coronavirus/COVID-19.</p>.<p>No new permits would be issued between 14 March-30 April and the ones issued stands cancelled.</p>.<p>Majority of the climbers come from India, United States, United Kingdom, China.</p>.<p>This is not only a huge jolt to the tourism of Nepal but also the livelihood of sherpas.</p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-5th-covid-19-positive-case-in-bengaluru-74-confirmed-cases-in-india-799686.html#1" target="_blank"><strong>Follow live updates of coronavirus</strong></a></p>.<p>Speaking to DH, veteran Indian mountaineer Umesh Zirpe of Pune-based Giripremi and Kathmandu-based Keshub Paudyal, who is the Director of Peak Promotion, confirmed the development.</p>.<p>The Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Home, Government of Nepal, said that from 14 March-30 April, the Visa on Arrival facility is being suspended. All foreigners</p>.<p>Giripremi was to lead an expedition to Annapurna-1 but he was conveyed of the restrictions."We are forced to take a hard decision to postpone the Annapurna I expedition to the next season," said Zirpe, one of India's best and experienced mountaineers, who had led expeditions to Mt Everest twice including India's biggest expedition to world's tallest peak."</p>.<p>On the background of Coronavirus outbreak, the Nepal government has put on hold all the expeditions in spring 2020 season. The decision was made in the high-level committee meeting of govt officials at Kathmandu held on Thursday night," he said.</p>.<p>Paudyal said that it is a big jolt to the mountaineering and trekking fraternity. "The spring season is very important....more than 2,500 depend on this season for their annual earnings," he added.</p>.<p>The eight-thousanders (above 8,000 mts) in Nepal are Mt Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Mount Makalu, Mount Cho Oyo, Dhaulagiri I, Mt Manaslu, Annapurna I.</p>.<p>During spring 2019, the Nepalese government issues 600-odd permits for Mt Everest, from which 360 to 370 summited.</p>.<p>During the 2015 earthquake, the mountaineering schedule was disturbed, however, international help had poured in, said Zirpe, adding that this time around the entire world is battling a crisis.</p>.<p>Adds Paudyal: "Mountaineering is one aspect. The number of trekkers too is very large. That too would be affected badly."</p>