DHAKA: The Nepalese government is considering banning anyone deemed too young or too old or with a severe disability from climbing Mount Everest.

A spokesman said under new proposals, no-one younger than 18 or older than 75 would be allowed to climb, reports the BBC.

The ministry of tourism could also insist that all climbers have previous mountaineering experience.

Nepal makes millions of dollars every year from the Everest industry but has been criticized for poor management.

In 2014, the mountain was closed after 16 Sherpa guides died in an accident.

And earlier this year, the climbing season was called off after a massive earthquake triggered an avalanche that killed 18 climbers.

Over the past decade many people have sought to establish world records on the world’s highest mountain, a practice the government wants to discourage.

The youngest person to climb Mount Everest was 13 and the oldest 80.

‘We don’t think we should issue permits to people who cannot see or walk or who don’t have arms,’ tourism department chief Govinda Karki told the media.

BDST: 1951 HRS, SEPT 29, 2015
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