London: A total of 197 individuals have received government approval to climb Mount Everest during the spring season this year.

According to the Department of Tourism (DoT), these mountaineers have received permits to climb the world’s highest peak representing 20 mountaineering expedition teams. These teams involve 31 women.

Tourism entrepreneurs said the number of aspirants to climb Mt Everest has increased by a notable percent this year.

Bigyan Koirala, an official of the DoT, said a total of 460 individuals involved in 55 mountaineering expeditions took permits to climb Nepali Himalayas in this season. The government has collected royalties of Rs 280 million by issuing such permits.